New York's FAFSA Completion Initiative Continues

New York’s FAFSA Completion Initiative Continues

(May 2015) Did you know that as of April 17, 2015 only an estimated 45.7 percent of high school seniors across New York State high schools completed a FAFSA? According to a recent study, only 40.8 percent of high school seniors nationally had completed a FAFSA by College Signing Day. In states such as Alaska and Utah, fewer than 25 percent of seniors complete the FAFSA, while states such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia see completion rates well above 50%, and Tennessee leads the nation with a 61.5 percent completion rate.

By 2020, more than 60 percent of jobs in New York State will require a college education. With rising college costs, it is important that students take full advantage of available free and low-cost financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

New York State’s FAFSA Completion Initiative allows your school and/or school district to identify and assist students and families in completing a FAFSA, thereby maximizing their access to free and low-cost financial aid to support their college costs. In its first year, HESC provided 35 school districts with FAFSA and TAP filing status information.

You can help your students secure the resources they need for a successful future by joining New York’s FAFSA Completion Initiative. Details are available at HESC.ny.gov/FAFSA-Completion-Initiative.