In April, I described the challenges Black students and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are facing with the introduction of the new Better FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. This trend has led to a lot of hardship, frustration, and concern among students, parents, and educators because college students must fill out the form in order to receive federal student aid such as grants, work-study funds, and loans.
Dr. Harry Williams
As an advocate for HBCUs and the Black college community, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is committed to finding immediate solutions to these issues and supporting our member schools and students to overcome these additional complexities that have created further obstacles for Black students seeking essential financial support for their educational journey.
Powered by a critical $1.1 million grant from the ECMC Foundation, TMCF’s “Finish the FAFSA: Find Your Future” campaign, which runs from June 24 to August 31, will create an intentional effort to increase FAFSA completion rates through a multi-pronged approach that includes a targeted advertising campaign, a website with completion information and FAQs, informational webinars and office hours providing guidance on the completion process, and the establishment of a call center with trained peer facilitators to connect directly with incoming and returning students (and their guardians) who have not yet completed their FAFSA form. The initiative, which will also provide 54 students at member schools with 10-week placements, provides additional resources for institutions to directly engage in increasing FAFSA completion rates.
As the nation’s largest advocate for the Black college community, TMCF has already begun an outreach effort at all HBCUs to provide direct and comprehensive support to HBCUs and their students, and to expedite the process. Through this partnership and funding provided by ECMC, TMCF will launch a strategic campaign to communicate the positive outcomes of completing the FAFSA form: access to critical loans and grants that provide a better foundation for the future, the freedom to explore opportunities and experiences, new friends, and the college family that HBCUs have historically provided to Black students pursuing higher education.
While we are proud of these efforts, it is unrealistic to expect that this well-intentioned but poorly implemented process will completely reverse the enrollment erosion that has occurred for HBCU students and their institutions. While TMCF and HBCU leaders continue to work with the U.S. Department of Education to find immediate solutions and address the future implications of this dynamic, we are actively urging government leaders to take steps to protect and support HBCUs and their students during the ongoing implementation of Better FAFSA.
As TMCF continues its unwavering support and advocacy for the Black college community, we hope that these issues will be resolved as quickly as possible so that students can be free from financial obligations and focus on their educational and professional aspirations, and institutions can focus on providing students with opportunities to support and empower their dreams.
Dr. Harry Williams is President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.