Every high school senior in New York could soon be required to fill out a federal financial aid form in a statewide bid to boost college access.
Gov. Hochul is proposing legislation that mandates all students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA, before graduation. Part of her broader state budget plan released last month, it already has the support of both public university systems in New York.
“Those students [who do not fill out the FAFSA] miss out on dollars that would have helped them make their way through college,” said State University of New York Chancellor John King. “And more than that, there are students who never even chose to come to college because they didn’t realize the aid that was available to them.”
More than half of students at SUNY already pay no tuition, thanks to various financial aid programs.
The proposal comes as the U.S. Department of Education is updating the FAFSA with fewer questions and expanded eligibility. But the form launched months later than usual, riddled with glitches that shut out thousands of applicants.
The seemingly minor setback could deliver a real blow to colleges and families. Last month, federal officials told colleges FAFSA data will not be available until March, pushing back when financial aid administrators can make offers to prospective students. The delay is putting pressure on colleges to postpone the widespread college decision deadline of May 1.
Patti Donahue, president of the New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association, said the organization is encouraging colleges to extend their deadlines “to allow students, and their families, adequate time to consider all educational and financial aid options available.”
New York’s struggle to get students to complete the FAFSA predates the troubled rollout of the new form. Last school year’s incoming class left more than $200 million in federal aid on the table by skipping the FAFSA, according to the National College Attainment Network.
Filling out the FAFSA is particularly important for applicants from low-income households, who are more than twice as likely to enroll the next fall if they complete the form.
Hochul’s proposal would bring New York in line with 13 other states that require FAFSA completion. As an alternative, students could fill out a state equivalent form to the FAFSA if they are undocumented, or sign a waiver saying they’re aware of financial aid but choosing not to apply: “Essentially, I know there’s free money, but I don’t want any,” King said.
In the meantime, the public university system launched “SUNY FAFSA Completion Corps,” a group of 48 college kids from six campuses helping high school seniors complete the new form this year. King said SUNY could also push back its college decision deadlines and to expect an announcement “shortly.”
“It’s definitely a challenge to navigate the consequences of the delay,” said King. “Hopefully, this is a one-year only challenge. And the feedback we’ve heard is that the new FAFSA is indeed shorter, and I’m hopeful about the long-term impact.”
A state budget is due by April 1.
