This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie is joined by Karen to discuss what attendees can expect with the upcoming in-person Federal Student Aid (FSA) conference next week. From there, the team debriefs the Congressional Budget Office's new projections of a funding shortfall in the Pell Grant program. Karen then debriefs listeners on the draft 2027-28 FAFSA, which is now open for public comment, and explains how listeners can submit their own comments. Lastly, Melanie walks through NASFAA's recent webinars regarding private loan lending amid the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and highlights NASFAA resources. 

Speakers

Melanie Storey President and CEO	Karen McCarthy Vice President of of Public Policy and Federal Relations	Maria Carrasco Reporter

This episode of Off The Cuff is brought to you by our NASFAA 2026 Charity Events.

Joining us in National Harbor, Marlyand, this summer for the NASFAA 2026 National Conference? We hope you will sign up for our 2026 Charity Events including a 5K on the morning of Monday, June 29, and Team Trivia Night or Topgolf Game Play on the evening of Tuesday, June 30. Participants should register online by May 1. Thanks to our generous Charity Event Sponsors, all proceeds from these events will go directly to our 2026 conference charity partner, First Generation College Bound. If you're not attending the conference, there are also options to participate virtually or make donations online. Visit nasfaa.org/conference for all the details.

Resources

• Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Episode Transcript (PDF)
• FSA Conference Agenda
• Join NASFAA Communities 
• Congressional Budget Office's Pell Grant Program Projections
• Pell Grant Program Faces $11.5 Billion Shortfall for FY 2027
• Federal Register: Comment Request; 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• FSA: Public Comment Period Open for 2027-28 FAFSA Materials
• One Big Beautiful Bill Act Web Center
• On-Demand Webinar: Inside the Private Loan Marketplace: A Conversation with Industry Leaders
• March 6 Webinar: Compliant Ways to Educate Your Students about Graduate PLUS Alternatives
• Federal Loan Funding Gaps Modeling Tool

Send your thoughts, questions, and comments. We'd love to hear what you think.