Even in a financial crisis, millions of Americans need to pay for the chance to get financial aid. Most college students are familiar with this mind-numbing form known as FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
This form could very well be the deciding factor in whether or not young Americans go to college. While the aid is given out is based on each applicant's financial security, decisions are made on a "first come, first serve" basis, with the application becoming available on Jan. 1 of each year.
This means that if a student's family has a net income of $50,000 and he or she gets approved on Jan. 5, he or she is approved regardless of how many $40,000-net-income families apply in the coming months.
???For some, the form is harder to finish then the SATs or a college midterm in biochemistry. Given the current times, applications have jumped 20 percent in the last year.
???To make matters worse, families that are already feeling the squeeze from the recession and rising costs of education are now forced to pay $80 to $100 just to get professional advice in filling out the form.
???The best part? Students have to go through the mind-numbing process year after year because there is not a system in place to just have a readmission form.
???President Obama promised to eliminate the form during his campaign. However, it doesn't seem likely at this current time. In 2007, Congress tried to "streamline" the form, but wound up adding seven new questions to an already drawn-out application. And the flaws don't end there.
???FAFSA does a horrendous job assessing financial worth because it excludes assets like cars, boats, the family home and some family businesses. More importantly, it does not factor in the high cost of living in areas such as New York City.
???When will the youth of America stop getting the shaft from our government? They always talk about the children and the future while they hamstring their citizens by not making college affordable or by giving out aid using a flawed system.
???Many have advocated that the system be changed. Their answer? Simplify the process by asking only for gross income and tax exemptions. Also, they hope to cut most of the financial questions. The result is a two-page form with fewer than 30 questions.
???The current FAFSA? It has 10 to 15 times as many words printed.
???It is time for the government to send kids to college and stop skimping on education. The sad reality is that Americans have ignored the problem for far too long. ???Future recessions could be avoided by having a whole army of youth with Ph.D.s, but it seems that we are content with seeing most of our graduates leave the country rather then stay and work.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
