by Gregg Scoresby

New data from the Department of Education suggests that Obama administration efforts to improve the process of applying for financial aid are beginning to take hold.

This fall, for the first time ever, students were able to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) months earlier – using 2015 tax returns, rather than waiting until the next tax season to learn about their aid eligibility. And, in October, the first month for students to submit the new FAFSA, over two million students submitted their applications.