As part of our ongoing efforts to resolve a series of issues preventing the release of updated versions. The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Forms. Technology and Support Helps high schools, states, private and non-profit organizations increase FAFSA completion rates for high school students.
The centerpiece of this announcement is a $50 million investment in organizations that are already working with schools and districts to expand college admissions and enrollment. ECMC, a non-profit student loan management company, will lead the FAFSA application effort. Colleges use FAFSA applicant information to determine a student's financial aid package.
These funds will be used to build the organization's capacity to create more advisors, counselors and coaches who can support students and partners through the FAFSA application process. This may include holding FAFSA application appointments and events during evenings, weekends, and extended hours during the summer.
Funding will also be directed to local-level FAFSA submission clinics, including travel expenses as needed. Resources are used to help organizations communicate with parents and students through text, phone calls, and video conferencing in multiple languages.
“Our goal is to connect with local, state and regional partners across the country and work together to highlight the importance of encouraging all college-bound high school students to submit the FAFSA form to receive the maximum financial aid possible as they pursue higher education. It’s about sharing,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said at a news conference Monday.
FAFSA completion keeps getting stuck
Marten also emphasized that the department would be closed. FAFSA Completion Gaps. The federal government's deadline is 2024-25 FAFSA June 30, 2025, but states set their own deadlines to allow some scholarship applications until funds are depleted.
The percentage of high school seniors who completed the FAFSA to enroll in college for the 2024-25 school year was down 24.3% as of April 26 compared to the 2023 school year, according to the National College Attainment Network. FAFSA Tracker. While 48.2% of high school students completed the FAFSA by that date last year, the tracker shows that only 35.6% of seniors this year have completed the FAFSA.
Completion rates for high school seniors of color attending minority schools fell 29.5% from the previous year, according to the NCAN tracker.
The overall high school senior completion rate changed only a few percentage points from last year. 27.1% decrease compared to the previous year It was reported by the tracker through the end of March.
Parents, students, high school administrators, college application offices, and member of Congress There have been major complaints about late releases and technical glitches plaguing the updated FAFSA form.
Pizza Party and Prom Tickets
At a news conference Monday, U.S. Undersecretary for Education James Kvaal said nearly 9 million FAFSAs were submitted for the 2024-25 school year. Students who complete the form can expect their records to be sent to the university within one to three days, Kvaal said. He added that survey data he has seen shows colleges are receiving reliable records and sending offers of support.
“We are constantly making improvements to make this process as smooth as possible for all students,” Kvaal said. For example, last week the Department of Education streamlined the FAFSA process for applicants and contributors who lack a Social Security number, he said.
Angelica Infante-Green, Rhode Island's commissioner of elementary and secondary education told reporters the state has made completing the FAFSA a priority. According to the Department of Education, the FAFSA completion rate for Rhode Island high school seniors was 50.3% as of April 26, down 17.8% from the previous year.
States have FAFSA ambassadors who help with outreach and work with school districts and colleges to take proactive action. Infante-Green said. The state also surveyed school counselors about effective practices, including holding multiple FAFSA completion events on nights and weekends, holding Fill-It-Out Friday campaigns, and offering completion incentives such as pizza parties, pep rallies and discounted prom tickets. We conducted a survey. Infante-Green said.