Education Dept. Plan Would Make It Easier to Apply for Student Aid

By Sara Hebel

Washington

Education Secretary Arne Duncan is expected to announce a plan today to make it easier for students and their families to apply for federal financial aid.

Simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or Fafsa, the form the government uses to assess student need, is a goal President Obama repeatedly pitched as a candidate on the campaign trail.

Education Department officials released a preview of their plan on Tuesday, outlining three steps they will