Financial Aid Reform Was His Legacy. Now, Lamar Alexander Calls it ‘a Big Mess’

The 74

Linda Jacobson

April 21, 2024

The turbulent rollout of a new federal financial aid application could mean thousands of low-income students miss out on college this fall.

But one person feels especially perturbed by the botched implementation of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Lamar Alexander — former governor of Tennessee, U.S. education secretary and Republican leader of the Senate education committee — thought the FAFSA Simplification Act would be his legacy.

He was so bound up with the quest to streamline the process that he became known for unfurling the 108-question paper form at press conferences.

“There are not many things that happen in Washington, D.C., that really improve the lives of 20 million American families every year,” he told The 74 last week. “This did, and once they implement it properly, it will be a great relief to these families.”

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