College students have been using protests to urge divestment for decades and for many different causes. They have successfully pushed universities to cut financial ties with fossil fuel companies and companies with business in apartheid era South Africa. 

Now, after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel's ensuing war in Gaza, some students want their schools to divest again, this time from Israel. But the tried-and-true approach to protest is facing new barriers.

The "Better FAFSA” was supposed to be faster and easier for students and families. Instead, it’s been riddled with issues. 

Sandy Jimenez, who's been a college access professional for two-plus decades, offers a first-hand account of what it's like to complete the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid form—plus advice for those trying to keep students engaged and motivated during this FAFSA upheaval.

The COVID-19 pandemic only highlighted—and worsened—the drop, fail, or withdraw rates of students in key gateway courses. This has been especially true for students of color and those from low-income backgrounds.

Now, one group of universities is attempting to replicate and scale a promising intervention. And initial results indicate success.