STATEHOUSE — A bill authored by State Senator Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) that would help students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is headed to the Governor for final consideration.
Senate Enrolled Act 82 would require high schools to share information and notices prepared by the Commission for Higher Education about the FAFSA with high school seniors.
SEA 82 is designed to help students who don’t think they can afford college realize how much financial aid they qualify for and how college may be a viable option for them.
When looking at FAFSA filing data, Leising found that in 2022 there has been a 35 percent decrease in applications filed compared to 2020.
Leising said FAFSA filing also decreases when looking at filing rates between rural and urban counties.
“SEA 82 is one way to help our high school seniors get access to additional funding that they otherwise would not have the opportunity to receive,” Leising said. “I brought this bill to help draw attention to the funding that the FAFSA can provide for students. There are thousands of dollars waiting to be claimed through scholarships, grants, and loans that many students do not realize they are eligible to receive. My hope is that the high school seniors in Senate District 42 and other rural areas of the state will at least apply for the FAFSA.”
Parents and students can learn more about the FAFSA by talking to their high school counselor or visiting studentaid.gov. The FAFSA application, a list of what kind of aid is available, and answers to frequently asked questions can all be found at this site.
(State Senator Jean Leising press release)
