From Strain to Strength: Supporting Aid Offices Through Ongoing Change

An open message to our school financial aid partners,

Over the past year, financial aid offices have navigated constant shifts—from delays in FAFSA simplification to sweeping federal policy changes. These developments have once again reshaped the daily work and long-term responsibilities of aid professionals. 

At ELM Resources, we recognize that managing private loans is just one aspect of your ever-evolving responsibilities. That is why we remain laser-focused on a singular mission: removing operational friction so you can focus on what matters most—your students. 

Then: School Pressures in 2024: 

When NASFAA fielded its Administrative Burden Report in late 2024, aid offices were already deep in the weeds: 

1. Labor-intensive manual corrections triggered by FAFSA simplification issues. 

2. Surges in student inquiries driven by federal call center delays. 

3. New Gainful Employment (GE) and Financial Value Transparency (FVT) reporting requirements. 

4. Persistent staffing shortages and expanding compliance expectations. 

Key findings: 91% of respondents said time per aid application increased, nearly 50% reported moderate or severe resource shortages, and 66% believed those shortages were permanent. 

The data painted a clear picture of institutional strain—offices doing more with less, under intensifying pressure. 

Now: A New Set of Challenges 

Since then, some issues have stabilized, but new policies are driving fresh challenges. Current conversations often focus on: 

1. FAFSA completion rates are stabilizing and rebounding. 

2. Pell Grant structures are shifting under new legislation. 

3. Loan limits are adjusting. 

4. Grad PLUS ending. 

5. New institutional accountability requirements are forthcoming. 

While the survey may reflect "last year's problems," it serves as a crucial reminder: your bandwidth has been taxed for years, and administrative recovery doesn't happen overnight. 

What Offices Still Need 

The survey highlights persistent structural needs that remain highly relevant today: 

1. Training for process and technology: 86% and 82% of respondents, respectively. 

2. Greater automation and technical support: 83% and 51%. 

3. Dedicated compliance staffing: 48%. 

These insights reflect a common theme: offices need sustained capacity-building to protect service quality and remain compliant in an evolving landscape. 

Looking Ahead 

This year continues to bring new challenges, and through it all, you've shown steady leadership and a deep commitment to your students. At ELM, we are here to support you. We have been working thoughtfully to prepare for what's ahead, guided by the shifts we saw coming and the feedback you shared with us. 

1. A next-generation loan processing platform, designed from the ground up to be sleeker, faster, and more intuitive but still familiar and easy-to-adapt. 

2. Expanded access to data, empowering teams to make more informed decisions. 

3. Industry-leading tools for managing 6-digit loans, supporting the evolving needs of borrowers. 

4. New solutions aligned with institutional accountability requirements, helping campuses meet new federal obligations confidently and efficiently. 

You are not just responding to change—you are leading through it. And we are proud to

be with you every step of the way. 

Source: 2025 NASFAA Administrative Burden Survey, conducted Fall 2024.