"Although the Higher Education Act prohibits the use of data for any purpose other than determining and awarding federal financial assistance, [the National College Attainment Network] cannot assure mixed-status students and families that data submitted to US Department of Education (ED), as part of the FAFSA process, will continue to be protected," NCAN, which represents college access organizations across the nation, wrote in new guidance."
"The organization had previously published similar guidance before President Donald Trump even took office but updated it after the 2026-27 FAFSA opened late last month. Zenia Henderson, chief program officer for NCAN, said the organization has received a slew of questions about the security of the personal information entered into the FAFSA, and many of its member organizations are reporting that some of the families they work with are forgoing the FAFSA out of fear."
College access groups report mixed-status families are concerned that personal information submitted on the FAFSA could be exposed to immigration enforcement during a mass deportation campaign. NCAN notes the Higher Education Act prohibits use of FAFSA data for purposes other than awarding federal aid but cannot guarantee continued protection of that data. The Office of Federal Student Aid says the Education Department will not share information that breaks the law, yet many families lack confidence under the current administration. NCAN advises considering FAFSA submission on a case-by-case basis as some families are declining to apply out of fear. Past administration requests for other agencies' data raise additional privacy worries, and courts have blocked some such requests.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]