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Grassley seeks farm family distinction for student aid qualifiers

Changes to student loan qualifications have raised concerns in the U.S. Senate.

Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley says as high schoolers fill out Free Application for Student Aid forms so families can find out how much assistance is available for college, new criteria for the formula would treat family farms unfairly.

“Now previously the Department of Education recognized the difference between large investment farms and farm family homes (and) I want to preserve that difference.”

Grassley recently led a letter pressing the Department of Education to provide clarity and says the response has been positive.

“Kind of a surprisingly good sign, the application will only ask students to list family assets in investment farms. Under this definition, assets would not include the value of family farms parents live on and operate.”

Grassley says he’s awaiting final details and urges the administration to stick with the latest definition.