The Seattle Times’ Post

What are some alternative ways Pell grants can improve #college affordability? While doubling the maximum Pell grant can increase federal aid for low- and moderate-income students, this strategy disproportionately benefits higher-income Pell recipients. Many more students would qualify for awards, but the ones experiencing the most severe #financial hardships would not receive enough. In this Urban Wire piece, learn more about #policy changes that could provide equitable federal aid to college students and improve educational opportunities for all. https://urbn.is/3ACI5u7

In California, students who need help paying for college have two options: U.S. citizens can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Undocumented students fill out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to get state-funded support. FAFSA completion rates went down this year, a dip largely attributed to glitches and other obstacles that arose after a U.S. Department of Education revamp last December. But Dream Act application numbers took an even harder fall. According to the California Student Aid Commission, as of July 22, there has been a nearly 16% drop in applications (4,940), compared to just about 6% for FAFSA. Among new filers and high school seniors, CADAA completion is down by 20% (1,877). Completing the Dream Act application allows students to be considered for state aid, scholarships, and loans. For many students, these financial aid packages determine where, or even if, they go on to pursue higher education. Read the full story: https://ow.ly/jjCu50SMu1U

I knew it. Already behind for ‘25-‘26 cycle as well. Buckle up. Somewhat related, does anyone have numbers on waiver submissions from HS seniors residing in states that requires FAFSA to graduate? Looking at NCAN numbers of the now 12 states, they are behind and average of -25.43% in submission rate and 8/12 are #26 or worse positionally. Could provide a view in the submission expectations to come. National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)National Association for College Admission Counseling National College Attainment Network (NCAN)

My first project at The Texas Tribune! The rollout of a revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid this year has been fraught with complications, making it difficult for students to complete the form and pushing back colleges’ timelines for awarding financial aid. An analysis of the latest federal data reveals the hurdles have led to fewer high schoolers seeking financial aid for college this year. According to data through June 7, Texas high school graduates’ FAFSA completion rates fell by 8.8 percentage points, or by almost 30,000 students, compared to this time last year. The decline is sharper than the one the state saw in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. https://lnkd.in/ehZeuRa6

One of Michigan's largest financial aid programs offers great promise in boosting college affordability as well as the number of college graduates—with room to reach many more who qualify for it. The findings come from research by the University of Michigan's Education Policy Initiative at the Ford School of Public Policy. https://myumi.ch/ege6x

We loved seeing our amazing advisor and school partner Sarah Everitt, talk about what #netpricecalculator can and can't do in a recent article in U.S. News & World Report. A good one helps you understand the cost of attending college...after all aid is factored in. A less comprehensive one gives you a sense of at least state and federal aid you might receive. College is expensive. Knowing how much aid you will get makes a huge difference. https://lnkd.in/gcsmbsGP

Making higher education affordable and accessible should be our collective goal.

In 2022-2023, California implemented a universal financial aid application policy for high school students to increase access to post-secondary education by ensuring that more students were aware of and applied for financial aid. The policy's essential purposes included addressing low FAFSA completion rates, promoting college access and equity, maximizing available aid for students, and supporting California's ambitious workforce goals. However, those of us working in K12 settings, School Counselors, administrators, and partners like Cal-SOAP know that implementing such a policy is by no means easy, nor a certain way to increase post-secondary rates and outcomes. The Public Policy Institute of California just dropped a report and policy brief that analyzes the first year of the universal FAFSA policy implementation using data to tell the rollout's story and provide future recommendations. It's a fascinating read if this is an area of interest to you! https://lnkd.in/gMMrPpQW

This is a very difficult year for so many families with children headed to college. The botched federal financial aid process this year has caused many students’ plans to go sideways, and has generated a lot of uncertainty where there otherwise might have been certainty about a student’s college destination. Colleges and universities all over the country have seen the effects. My university rolled out an initiative today, Operation 11th Hour, targeted at students who might be still holding out hope to start college this fall or students who had one plan for college and had a late financial aid difficulty derail it. I firmly believe we can stand in the gap for students who have difficulty with their college plans and provide them with a place where they can meet their goals. If you’re reading this and you’re not in East Tennessee or nearby, there is likely a small college or regional university near you with the same kind of focus on providing opportunities where those opportunities might have been derailed. Seek out options. If a student wants to be in college this fall, there is a way for them to seek out a home for them. But if you are in East Tennessee or nearby, and you are a student or family of a student still considering their university options, read about Operation 11th Hour below.

Today's House hearing helped highlight just how badly the Department of Education bungled the release of the 2024-25 FAFSA. My reporting on the hearings and GAO's investigation here: #HigherEducation #CollegesAndUniversities #FinancialAid #Education #Students