You may have seen or heard about Spotify Wrapped — the year-end recap that highlights your top songs, biggest moments, and fun stats from the past year. We decided to make our own version.
M&A Wrapped is a look back at the year we just shared: the milestones reached, the work delivered, the trends followed closely, and the moments that defined 2025 for higher education and our team.
Think highlights, insights, and a few surprises — all wrapped up in one place.
You made it through another year — so let’s look back at some stats from the financial aid world.
By the Numbers
20 Dear Colleague Letters
43 days of a government shutdown
At least 124,800 minutes worked (52 weeks — but who’s counting?)
Estimated $119 billion in grants and loans disbursed in 2024/2025
Over 10 million aid recipients in 2024/2025
The Episodes
It was a year of uncertainty — and we aimed to cut through the noise. We pulled some monthly files, take a look.
Not every month made the highlight reel — some were spent heads down, keeping things moving — but these were the moments that really defined the year.
January — The One Where the Rules Dropped Before the Confetti Settled
New year, new administration, and final R2T4 regulations — because nothing says “welcome back" like policy updates before your second cup of coffee.
Simplifying the New R2T4 Regulations: What Institutions Need to Know Now
February — The One with Financial Aid Awareness
You wore many hats this month — educator, cheerleader, and FAFSA hype squad. The unofficial slogan of February: “File your FAFSA — it’s free!"
June — The One Where Everyone Got Selected
An estimated 125,000 students won the FAFSA lottery nobody asked for: V4/V5 verification. The beloved (or not-so-beloved) Statement of Educational Purpose officially rode off into the sunset, and you dusted off your detective hats while students hunted down photo IDs.
Navigating New V4 Verification Changes
Verification Made Clear: Answers to Your Most Common Questions
July — The One with the Big Beautiful Bill
Workforce Pell. Eliminated Graduate PLUS. New borrowing limits. Brand-new direct loan proration rules. And more changes than anyone could summarize in one breath.
Were they big? Absolutely.
Were the changes beautiful? Jury’s still out.
Federal Student Aid Changes: What Survived, What Didn’t, and What’s Next
How to Navigate the Sweeping Changes to Federal Student Aid – Part 1
How to Navigate the Sweeping Changes to Federal Student Aid – Part 2
RISE Negotiated Rulemaking: Key Takeaways from Second Week of Negotiations
Workforce Pell Grants Create New Opportunity: A Preliminary Guide to Micro-Credential Eligibility
September — The One with the Early FAFSA?
In a plot twist no one saw coming, the 2026-2027 FAFSA dropped early — leaving you staring at your calendar, wondering how you were suddenly a week behind and ahead at the same time.
Understanding the 2026–27 FAFSA Changes: What Financial Aid Officers Need to Know
A Heads-Up to All Institutions: Low Earnings Indicator on the 2026/2027 FAFSA – McClintock & Associates
October — The One Where You Finally Took a Deep Breath
After more deadline extensions than your students ever got for an assignment, Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment reporting was officially due. October marked the moment you finally hit submit and exhaled.
GE didn’t just measure value — it tested endurance.
Navigating FVT & GE Reporting After the Deadline
Bonus Track!
Because every Wrapped needs a bonus track:
50-year anniversary celebration of McClintock & Associates
Highest-attended webinars in firm history
22 conferences attended
4 internal promotions
38 articles published in 2025
McClintock Minute Newsletter
(Sign up so you don’t miss what’s coming in 2026!)
Closing Track
You made it through another year in financial aid — and that’s no small feat. We are incredibly thankful for the work you do and the students you support every single day.
As we look ahead to 2026, we know change isn’t slowing down — and neither are we. As always, we’re here to help cut through the noise, navigate what’s next, and keep moving forward with confidence.
Whether you’re a client or just here for the content, thank you for being with us this year!
