FAFSA completion among high‑school seniors rose to 26% by Nov. 21, an 11.7% improvement year over year, driven by the form’s earlier opening and simplifications in the application. Completion rates vary widely by state and school income level; Indiana posted the highest rate at 38.1%, while Alaska lagged at 10.7%. At the same time, higher‑education leaders warned that Workforce Pell—a federal expansion to fund short‑term workforce credentials slated to begin next July—faces major implementation challenges. Panelists cited coordination across agencies, strict accountability requirements, uneven program eligibility, data‑reporting burdens, and capacity constraints at community colleges as barriers to rapid uptake. Enrollment managers and financial‑aid offices should plan for increased short‑term program scrutiny and data demands, even as FAFSA momentum suggests improved access to traditional federal aid for the coming cycle.