FAFSA Fast Flash Update from USED

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May 20, 2024

This blog is published on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education regarding FAFSA.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership to drive FAFSA submissions! Particularly as we approach the end of the school year, we appreciate all you are doing to support students and families. 

In addition to submission data, we are writing to share some key updates. First, we are sharing new resources for students and families: 

  • Student-facing and parent-facing signs (for printing and web) with a QR code that leads directly to the FAFSA form  
  • An editable version of the sign so you can input local information, links, or organizations available for FAFSA support 
  • Ready made social media posts in English and Spanish (accessible at this link) 

Resources are accessible here. Please feel free to share with your members! 

Second, a reminder that resources are also available to support organizations in boosting FAFSA completion. Last week, the Department launched a $50 million program as part of the FAFSA Student Support Strategy. Implemented by ECMC, funding will be prioritized for organizations currently working with schools and districts and those with deep ties to students and families with the reach and capacity to help decrease barriers and increase FAFSA submissions. It will also facilitate FAFSA submission clinics, including through partnerships with schools and districts, and provide transportation support as needed. You can access the application for funds here. 

Third, at the end of this message, you will find links for school- and district-level data for each state. School-level data is available on the first tab and district-level data on the second tab. If you have not previously walked through the data with the ED team, you can watch a short video tutorial here. Completion rates for every state are available here.  

We hope you will continue to amplify FAFSA completion efforts and communicate with your members that there is still time to receive money for college, and students and parents should complete the FAFSA! We would also ask that you continue to uplift the issue of incomplete applications. New for the 2024-25 FAFSA, each contributor must enter and complete the form separately answering only the questions pertinent to them. A significant number of FAFSA applications have been started but cannot be processed until the other contributors (typically parents) complete their work. Please encourage students and their parents to ensure the FAFSA is completed, signed, and submitted by all contributors. 

Additionally, corrections may now be made. The following videos help to walk students and parents through that process:  

Finally, USED would love to hear from you about your work so we can share out. They also welcome your suggestions for what resources and information would be most useful to receive. Please email Lauren Mendoza, deputy assistant secretary for outreach with any questions, suggestions, or bright spots. 

School-level Data Links by State: 

Author

U.S. Department of Education

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