(GENERAL-23-33) StudentAid.gov Enhancements and Modifications Starting April 2023

Author
Federal Student Aid
Electronic Announcement ID
GENERAL-23-33
Subject
StudentAid.gov Enhancements and Modifications Starting April 2023

On April 2, 2023, we made additional updates to StudentAid.gov features designed to improve the information and self-service tools available to our customers. These updates continue Federal Student Aid’s (FSA's) commitment to improve customer experiences and outcomes through ongoing modernization of our technology, tools, and resources.

This announcement summarizes updated features that are now available.

Updated Features on StudentAid.gov

These features were added or updated with this release.

  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Help Tool: Digital Signature and Submission – With the April 2023 release, borrowers can, for the first time, fully complete the PSLF application process digitally with the help of the new digital signature and submission components of the PSLF Help Tool. The redesigned tool allows borrowers to

    • sign and submit the PSLF Form digitally on StudentAid.gov,

    • identify employers that need to sign their PSLF Form and send requests for e-signature via DocuSign, and 

    • track the status of their PSLF Form in their account’s Status Center.

Important note about DocuSign

While these enhancements to the PSLF Help Tool will improve the process, many employers may be unfamiliar with this new technology. For the process to run smoothly, it is important that borrowers contact their employer before submitting the PSLF Form to notify the employer that they will 1) receive an email from DocuSign (dse_na4@docusign.net) on behalf of Federal Student Aid letting them know that their confirmation is requested, and 2) be able, via a link in the DocuSign email, to view the borrower’s PSLF Form to verify periods of employment and apply an electronic signature to certify employment.

Each borrower also will need to obtain the correct email address for their employer to receive the email from DocuSign. Without this step, employers may overlook DocuSign emails or assume they are spam.

  • Aidan® Virtual Assistant – Aidan can answer common questions about federal student aid and guide customers to the correct information and resources. With this release, we have enhanced information and responses to questions about the PSLF program and two-step verification. We have also added information about the Fresh Start Initiative.

  • Direct PLUS Loan Application – We made several improvements to the Direct PLUS Loan application, including reorganizing the material for improved flow and reduced page length. We added clarifying language to the "next steps" for each credit check decision, making it easier for applicants to understand action steps after completing the application. We also made changes to input labels for the Direct PLUS Loans for parents flow, making it clearer whose information is needed for the appropriate entry fields.

  • Loan Simulator – Loan Simulator was updated with additional content and functionality including graphic representations of repayment options and monthly payment amounts across plans.

  • Additional Website Updates – We made modifications and improvements to several features across the website including:

    • Entrance Counseling and Exit Counseling

    • My FAFSA page

    • System security during log-in process

Important

Note: While there have been updates to the Direct PLUS Loan application, Entrance Counseling, and Exit Counseling, there are no operational impact to schools; information received by schools from the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System is unchanged in responses, on the COD website, and on reports.

Additional Features and Enhancements Continuing in 2023

Throughout 2023, we will continue to add tools and enhance current features to improve our customers’ understanding of and interactions with the Title IV programs. Details about new tools and features will be provided in forthcoming Electronic Announcements posted on the FSA Partner Connect Knowledge Center.

We will also share information about FSA’s modernization efforts through partner emails, social media posts, and targeted outreach campaigns to ensure everyone knows what to expect going forward.

We appreciate your interest and support of FSA’s modernization efforts.