Ensuring students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step for closing postsecondary access and attainment gaps. Simply put, high school seniors who complete
the FAFSA are more likely to enroll in postsecondary education. The aid application process can help students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, better understand the financial
resources available to help them pay for college.
Unfortunately, a considerable percentage of students who are eligible for federal student aid do not complete the FAFSA. Each year, FAFSA noncompleters forgo billions of dollars in assistance
for postsecondary pursuits.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably worsened the prospects of college access for many students. There are substantial declines in college enrollment and FAFSA completions across the country; by the end of 2020, no state saw a year-over-year increase in the percentage of its high school seniors
who had completed the FAFSA form.
Given the immediate and potentially long-term effects – economic and otherwise – of the pandemic on those seeking postsecondary education, states are wisely thinking of new ways to promote FAFSA completion.
One effective way states can boost FAFSA completion is through statewide challenges that incentivize school districts to increase the percentages of their high school seniors who file the FAFSA.
As part of these initiatives, states can pay special attention to districts or schools whose students could benefit most from greater FAFSA completion – such as Title I-eligible schools. States can use challenge funds to efficiently direct resources to
the areas with the greatest gains and to help offset some of the costs associated with the hard work, i.e., counselor/staff time, that makes these improvements possible.
See the list below to learn more about FAFSA challenges in specific states.
States should employ all of the tools at their disposal to support students toward postsecondary pursuits and success. For encouraging FAFSA completion, this includes effectively encouraging local partnerships, promoting awareness among students
and families to complete the FAFSA, and utilizing data for change.
Some states may also consider adopting a policy change that would require FAFSA completion for high school graduation. A few states have already made such a change (e.g., Louisiana and Texas) and several other states are considering whether to adopt a
FAFSA requirement. Among other provisions, NCAN recommends that “mandatory FAFSA” policies, as they are often called, confirm, and build/provide if necessary, robust training and supports through
school counselors and/or college access advisers to ensure students have the support they need to meet the requirement.
Given the National College Attainment Network’s mission to help ensure equitable access to and success in higher education, FAFSA completion is a top priority for us and our members. For more on FAFSA completion rates, please see NCAN's #FormYourFuture FAFSA Tracker, which users can use to look at national data, examine state profiles that are sortable by city, district, and school, and compare cycle-over-cycle data nationally and by state.
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