With 2020 state legislative sessions underway, many legislators are considering proposals to aid students in college-going. One concept currently on the table in several states is requiring the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for high school graduation.
The concept behind “mandatory FAFSA” is that students are more likely to pursue higher education when they are aware of the financial resources available to help them to do so — and research shows that this is the case. Students who complete the FAFSA are far more likely to enroll and persist in higher education compared with their peers who do not complete the student aid application.
In recent years, Louisiana adopted a policy of mandatory FAFSA and has so far seen great results, with significant increases in FAFSA filing rates, high school graduation rates, and enrollment in postsecondary education. Illinois and Texas have also enacted the requirement and are planning implementation for the coming FAFSA cycles. In 2019, Michigan and Washington, D.C., considered legislation that would require FAFSA completion.
Currently, mandatory FAFSA legislation is being considered in California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, and New Jersey. The current proposals include waiver options for students who choose not to complete the FAFSA. Students’ ability to opt out of the process is important for a variety of reasons, such as in cases where students are unable to access their parent's financial information. Additionally, NCAN will be encouraged if these proposals ensure students have robust supports throughout the FAFSA filing process.
NCAN welcomes proposals that may inspire more students to pursue postsecondary education. While further research on the impacts of states adopting such a policy will be useful, well-designed mandatory FAFSA proposals can be a monumental step for more students to advance their education. NCAN will monitor the progress of these active bills in state legislatures (see map below).
Lastly, the Education Commission of the States will host a webinar (Feb. 27, 12 p.m. MT) on states that have enacted, and those that are now considering, mandatory FAFSA policies.
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