The Department of Education rolled out an earnings indicator in the FAFSA submission summary that flags institutions where graduate earnings trail those of high‑school graduates. The new disclosure uses College Scorecard median earnings data and will alert first‑year applicants if a college’s reported outcomes suggest weak post‑enrollment labor-market returns. Secretary Linda McMahon said the change will empower prospective students to make more data‑driven choices before taking on federal debt. The initial data flagged roughly 1,300 institutions—largely for‑profit certificate programs—that enroll under 3 percent of undergraduates but receive more than $2 billion in federal aid. University leaders and consumer advocates differ on the policy’s effects: some see it as overdue transparency, while others caution the metric may not capture program nuance and could stigmatize community colleges or adult‑learner pathways. Financial‑aid offices should prepare new counseling scripts and communications to help applicants interpret the notice and compare program‑level earnings.