Delays and glitches in the implementation of the new FAFSA have left many families scrambling to submit applications and corrections before the normal May 1 deadline. (Getty Images)

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education has pushed back the priority deadline for the state’s largest financial aid program from May 1 to July 1, allowing students more time as they scramble to sort out the complicated rollout of updates. federal agencies to apply for financial aid.

“Our message to students and families remains the same: complete the FAFSA as soon as possible,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “This year’s extended deadline responds to feedback from students, campuses, and other partners about this year’s unique challenges with completing the FAFSA. We want students to know that there is important financial aid available to those who qualify, and that it is worth persevering to complete the FAFSA.”

The extension allows students attending public and private higher education institutions more time to complete the FAFSA form and receive state financial aid through the MASSGrant program.

The move follows the Biden Administration’s call for states to extend FAFSA deadlines. The administration overhauled the financial aid application this year with a number of changes, including changes to eligibility calculations (allowing about 600,000 more students to qualify for Pell Grants) and procedures for packaging financial aid.

Delays and failures in implementing the updated form have left many families behind in filing their FAFSA (then often corrected and resubmitted) and mass confusion that officials and families have called “chaos” and “catastrophe.” . A U.S. House education subcommittee held hearings on the failed rollout last week, and the Government Accountability Office is currently investigating the upgrade process.

As of March 29, 40% fewer high school students had completed the FAFSA compared to the same date in 2023, the U.S. Department of Education reported.

Massachusetts joins a list of several states that have extended the deadline, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Maryland, Mississippi and California. Many public and private colleges across the country have also delayed deposit and financial aid deadlines to give students time to resolve their FAFSA.

“We all want students and families to have the time they need to consider their financial options before making enrollment decisions,” the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and nine other national educational organizations wrote in a letter urging the universities to extend the deadline and citing the precedent for FAFSA extensions set during the pandemic.

Many state lawmakers applauded the administration’s decision to allow more time for students. House Speaker Ron Mariano said the impact will be felt most by “the students who most need financial support to make college a reality.”