As of March 15, 30.7% fewer high school seniors nationally have submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) than at the same time last year. This is an especially
big problem for high school seniors who will be first-time college-goers; submission rates are even lower at high schools serving predominantly students of color (-38%) or students experiencing poverty (-38.6%). FAFSA filing is highly correlated with
college enrollment. No one knows better than National College Attainment Network (NCAN) members that an unfiled FAFSA this spring likely means a missed college enrollment this fall. Absent intervention, we could see a catastrophic drop in college
enrollment this fall, potentially worse than during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But it’s not too late to send FAFSA completion numbers in a better direction, and there’s every reason to make the effort. Although there were inexcusable and frustrating FAFSA technological problems for many students and families in January and February,
most of them have been addressed. Workarounds have been outlined for problems that remain. The FAFSA has been totally rebuilt, and many students and families are finding it easier to complete than in prior years with 50% fewer questions. Starting
this year, the FAFSA is also more generous for students from families with limited incomes. The US Department of Education estimates that 610,000 additional students from low-income backgrounds will receive a federal Pell Grant, and 1.5 million more
students will receive the maximum Pell Grant.
So, what can we do in the next five months to ensure that the Class of 2024 reaches at least the same level of FAFSA completion as the Class of 2023?
Put more oars in the water. During this unusual year, intensive FAFSA completion support that high schools and nonprofit organizations typically provide only in the fall and winter needs to be maintained through August. Communities must
continue to offer FAFSA assistance workshops this spring and summer. Consider promoting these events to students who may have already completed the form but are just receiving their FAFSA Submission Summary or college aid offers so that they can seek
needed guidance on the documents and next steps.
Many more students than usual - possibly 20% - will also need help in making FAFSA corrections beginning the first half of April. Without corrections, their FAFSAs will not be complete and no ISIRs will be sent to their colleges. Furthermore, because
of the troubled FAFSA rollout, colleges are receiving student financial data much later than normal, and financial aid offers will not even begin to arrive until April, with many likely delayed until May or June. Finally, we must provide the same
“summer melt” support students always need to make matriculation a reality - but do it in a much-compressed timeline for the start of the fall semester.
This additional effort poses a large human capital challenge in the summer when high schools are closed and many school counselors are not contracted to work. NCAN asks all philanthropic and corporate funders to consider expedited grants to help school districts and college access organizations to hire additional summer staff who can help students and families create FSA IDs, submit the FAFSA, make corrections to their FAFSA, and interpret their financial aid offers, in addition to providing the usual summer melt services. Even a gift as low as $10,000 could help provide one additional summer FAFSA staffer, and those who can give more generously should do so, especially in larger cities and metro areas. We must also keep in mind that college financial aid officers who
usually give generously of their time to volunteer for FAFSA completion will likely be unavailable in April and throughout the summer. They will be working around the clock at their institutions to develop and distribute financial aid offers, handle
corrections and professional judgment requests, and finalize aid packages.
Here are a few examples from the field of how nonprofits, school districts, and government agencies are mobilizing around the FAFSA completion emergency.
Breakthrough Central Texas is hosting a series of “Senior Sprint Weeks” at their partner schools where they focus on triaging the tasks that are most urgent for seniors. This event title and
related messaging is helping to create a buzz about the need to do the FAFSA.
Achieve Atlanta is coordinating with school district leadership to prioritize FAFSA completion, such as supporting on-site FAFSA completion events, providing additional training for Atlanta
Public Schools counselors and advisers on the new FAFSA, and offering 24/7 technical support to school staff working with families to submit the FAFSA.
Be A Leader Foundation in Phoenix (AZ) is hiring four summer positions to help provide more FAFSA support.
College Success Foundation in Washington, DC hopes to bring back recent retirees over the summer to assist students with FAFSA.
The Arizona Department of Education is partnering with other key groups, such as the Board of Regents, for a statewide push to provide summer
support. They are exploring how they can collectively combine resources and funds to create a summer assistance program.
College Track New Orleans is checking in with parents and students while they wait for FAFSA corrections to become available. They recognize that a FAFSA correction
may now be a longer process so it’s important to be in continuous communication and maintaining a strong relationship.
Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland (OH) reminds us to keep the special needs of transfer students in mind. Transfer students are typically the last students to receive their financial aid offers,
so this year that may not be until June or later.
A bonus of more intensive summer support this year is that organizations may also be able to help rising high school seniors and parents apply for their FSA IDs so they are ready when next year’s FAFSA opens on October 1.
Special assistance for mixed-status families. Students with one or more contributors without a Social Security number (SSN) have been hardest hit by the dysfunction of the new FAFSA rollout, and they need additional one-on-one support.
Ideally, communities will offer FSA ID set-up assistance for contributors who do not have an SSN, support in completing the Attestation Form, and help selecting the required identity documents to submit for those required to go through the manual
process. Those who have previously submitted documents may need assistance with follow-up to confirm that status of verifying their identity. This may involve calling the Office of Federal Student Aid’s (FSA) Information Center. These families also
need translation support in languages other than English and Spanish.
Use data. When available, use student-level reports to target outreach to those students who have not completed the FAFSA. These reports may be available starting in April from state education agencies. High schools should also be sure
to collect current contact information for seniors before graduation so that they can be reached by cell phone or email during the summer.
Raise awareness. First, make sure your state or local K-12 superintendents and school boards know that FAFSA completion is way behind. Show them the data from NCAN’s FAFSA Tracker to spur action. No one wants their students left out when it comes to college opportunity. Engage elected officials to post and amplify social media and earned media about the importance of an educated workforce. Place op-eds and look for other thought
leadership opportunities in the media or through messaging from local influencers. Promote “friendly competitions” within or among districts or high schools to recognize gains in FAFSA completion. Support and/or participate in any version of FAFSA
campaigns led by state agencies, state organizations, regional entities, school districts or your organization. Share availability of a chatbot (if available) for FAFSA questions. Your state may have a chatbot, as may local colleges, and Wyatt is also available nationally.
Keep updated with current information. FSA and NCAN have a variety of resources for those providing the FAFSA completion support as well as items to assist students and parents. Regularly check these websites to find the most current
information available:
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