Over the past year, one question has come up in conversation after conversation with parents:

“Why is everything taking so long?”

If you’ve been asking yourself the same thing, you’re not alone.

I’ve worked with families long enough to know that college admissions is already stressful. Adding uncertainty around financial aid only makes it harder. Many parents feel like they’ve missed something when, in reality, they’ve done everything they were supposed to do.

The system changed.

Why Did FAFSA Change?

The goal was actually a good one.

The Department of Education redesigned the FAFSA to make it simpler and help more students qualify for need-based aid. As part of the update, the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC) became the Student Aid Index (SAI).

This wasn’t just a new name—it changed how financial need is calculated.

Unfortunately, the rollout was far from smooth.

So What Went Wrong?

Technical problems and processing delays slowed the release of FAFSA data to colleges, making it difficult for schools to prepare financial aid offers on their normal schedule.

Once those delays started, they affected nearly every step of the college planning process.

What Parents Are Experiencing

I’ve talked with parents trying to compare colleges without complete financial aid information. Others are worried about scholarship deadlines while still waiting for FAFSA processing.

Instead of having weeks to compare offers, many families have felt pressured to make major financial decisions in a much shorter window.

If that’s been your experience, you’re not alone.

My Advice

  • Don’t assume you’re behind. Many families are in the same situation.
  • Stay in touch with financial aid offices. Most schools have adjusted timelines and can explain what to expect.
  • Remember that SAI isn’t the same as EFC. Comparing this year to an older sibling’s experience isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison.
  • Keep your tax and income documents organized in case a school requests additional information.

One Final Thought

One thing I’ve learned after working with students for years is that college admissions is all about timing.

SAT and ACT testing, applications, scholarships, and financial aid all overlap. When one piece gets delayed—as we’ve seen with FAFSA—it can make the entire process feel overwhelming.

That’s why I always encourage families to build a little extra cushion into their plans whenever possible.

How Richardson Test Prep Helps

At Richardson Test Prep, we help families build a realistic roadmap through the college admissions process. That means staying ahead of deadlines, adjusting when timelines change, and helping students stay on track when parts of the process are outside their control.

If you have questions about testing timelines or admissions planning, I’d be happy to help.