Delays and government errors: How college financial aid became such a hot mess

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New and returning college students' timelines for applying for federal financial aid and receiving their award offers have been thrown off this year after the botched rollout of a new application form – with the leadership of the office in charge set to change this summer.

College students and their families have been in limbo after issues with the implementation of a new FAFSA application form have caused delays in financial aid offers that have left many uncertain of what they'll receive when the new academic year starts in a few months.

In years past, FAFSA applications for the following year would open to students and families in October. Institutions would process applications in January to give students time before enrollment deadlines in May to evaluate their situation. However, delays from a botched update prevented applications from opening until January, when they were temporarily shut down, while a subsequent setback delayed the process further.

Richard Cordray, the chief operating officer for the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), will step down at the end of June, according to a report on Friday by the USA Today. The announcement comes as the Department of Education believes it has addressed issues with FAFSA applications, though it remains unclear how the delays will impact incoming college students still waiting for financial aid offers – which have historically had a May 1 deadline for acceptance, though some colleges have pushed that deadline back to May 15 or June 1.

TOP EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL STEPPING DOWN AS COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID FIASCO CONTINUES