On June 24, President Obama's administration announced a shorter, simpler, user-friendly Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that will make it easier for college-bound students to apply for financial aid.

According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Education, some of these changes are already in place while others will be phased in over the next few months. These changes are designed to increase post-secondary enrollment for low- and middle-income families.

"Never has a college degree been more important. And never has it been more expensive," Obama said, according to a White House statement. "[We] will simplify federal college assistance forms so it doesn't take a Ph.D. to apply for financial aid."

"It's definitely a good thing to reduce the complexity of this application," said Larry Moeder, director of admissions and student financial assistance.

FAFSA improvements for the future include: enhanced skip-logic used in the new Web-based FAFSA form that will reduce user navigation for many applicants by more than half; students being able to retrieve tax information from the IRS easily for the online FAFSA; and 26 financial questions that have little impact on aid awards have been eliminated.

However, the elimination of unnecessary financial questions must be passed through Congress due to the questions being an integral part of the calculation formula that cannot be provided by the IRS.

According to the news release, changes to the FAFSA that have already been implemented include the Department of Education providing instant estimates of Pell Grant and student loan eligibility, rather than forcing applicants to wait weeks for results.

"[It is important] to make sure that everyone has access to getting student financial aid from the federal government and they aren't turned off by the complexity of it," said Jane Glickman, U.S. Department of Education public affairs specialist. "It's very important that people know there's federal aid available to help people get a higher education and we want to do everything we can to make it simpler and provide more access."

Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan. supported the FASFA improvements and said it is important for students to be able to afford a higher education.

"Making higher education more accessible and affordable for students and families is a priority of mine and one that I vigorously promoted during my time as state treasurer running the Learning Quest 529 College Savings Plan. I am glad the administration is working to simplify the lengthy FASFA application, especially by allowing folks to use tax return data to apply for financial aid," Jenkins said.

These changes will have an impact on millions of students filling out the FAFSA all over the country, including K-State students.

"I think these changes implemented by the Obama administration are excellent ways for students to attend college and get a degree regardless of their financial situation," said Harry McDonald, senior in mechanical engineering.