Posted Date:March 22, 2019
| Author: | Federal Student Aid |
Subject: Upcoming Implementation of myFAFSA Enhancements (Updated March 29, 2019)
Note: On March 29, 2019, we updated this announcement to provide an updated release date for these enhancements. The myFAFSA enhancements described below will be implemented on April 14, 2019.
In our continued effort to improve users’ mobile experiences, Federal Student Aid (FSA) will be making enhancements to myFAFSA on April 14, 2019. This electronic announcement highlights those changes.
User Messaging
Generally, when an edit is triggered on myFAFSA, the messaging that a user sees displayed as a result of the edit is the same, regardless of whether the user is the student, the parent or a preparer. Beginning April 14, 2019, we will be customizing the messages that users see when an edit is triggered, based on the role of the user. For example, if someone is logged in to myFAFSA as the student, the edit messaging that displays will be tailored to a student role. This will provide a more personalized user experience, regardless of the role under which someone is logged in to myFAFSA.
Signature Process Update
During the current myFAFSA signature process, users are instructed to provide a “swipe” signature (manual signature using a finger on the screen) prior to submission of the FAFSA® form. Based on specific customer feedback about the ease of the signature process, we will be removing the “swipe” signature from the signature process. Users will no longer be instructed to provide a touch signature and will now have the opportunity to provide active agreement to the terms and conditions on the Agreement of Terms view.
Masking of Social Security Number
As part of our ongoing effort to maintain a secure experience for applicants and their families, we will begin masking the Social Security Number (SSN) field on the Student Identifiers view. This view displays when a user is logged in under the parent or preparer role to allow for identification of the student to whom the FAFSA form belongs. The user will have the ability to check a box and either hide or show the SSN. The SSN field will be masked by default.
Changes to the FSA ID
In an electronic announcement dated March 20, 2019, we announced changes that will be made to the FSA ID process. myFAFSA and fafsa.gov will be updated to incorporate those modifications.
Contact Information
Thank you for your ongoing support as we implement these enhancements. As we continue to modify and improve myFAFSA, we will keep the community informed about other exciting changes.
For questions regarding myFAFSA, users should contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or by email at FederalStudentAidCustomerService@ed.gov. TDD/TYY service is also available at 1-800-730-8913.