Across Washington state, a push for 2024 HS grads to complete their FAFSA continues
As August arrives, soon-to-be-college students in our communities are finishing up their summer jobs and finalizing their course schedules, and some are preparing to move into their dorms. For other 2024 graduates, the uncertainty of how they will finance their college dreams has put their plans at a standstill.
Throughout the summer, College Success Foundation advisors have been repeating the phrase, “It’s not too late!” to recent high school graduates, urging them to fill out their financial aid forms so they can attend college this fall.
Last December, the U.S. Department of Education introduced a simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to improve accessibility. However, delays and technical glitches with the form have led to a crisis. Currently, the national completion rate is about 47%—a decrease of 10% compared to the previous academic year.
According to the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), only 45% of the class of 2024 had completed the FAFSA in Washington state as of August 1.
Free, virtual financial aid appointments
This completion gap prompted CSF to offer free, virtual appointments this summer to 2024 Washington state high school graduates and their families who need help completing their FAFSA and/or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) forms.
“We’re in the homestretch and want to support as many students as possible before the upcoming school year,” expressed Danette Knudson, CSF vice president of program strategy. “Offering access to real-life financial aid experts is a major focus because we know how effective one-on-one support is for the students we serve.”
Students and parents from across the state have been making appointments with a variety of questions and issues that CSF advisors can help them tackle and troubleshoot during the calls. Whether it’s a quick session over text or an hour-long call with follow-up reminders, CSF advisors help families see the process through to completion.
“A family I spoke to had started the online form back in January,” noted Melissa Pico, CSF advisor. “To keep working on it for that long and not giving up, that’s pretty impressive.”
Getting one-on-one FAFSA assistance
Melissa and other advisors are offering evening and weekend appointments to help parents access help outside of work hours. Several calls have focused on issues related to differing citizenship or immigration statuses, creating FSA ID accounts for parents and connecting parents’ accounts to their children’s accounts—a necessary step with the new online FAFSA form.
Students can easily schedule appointments with CSF financial aid experts in English or Spanish (or other languages upon request) through an online booking form at collegesuccessfoundation.org. Assistance includes form completion, application corrections and help understanding financial aid award letters.
CSF Advisor Maria Ureña sees the appointments as a fresh opportunity to talk to students about other steps they might be missing in the college-going process.
“Many students think the FAFSA only applies to four-year universities. So, I always remind them they can use financial aid for a technical or community college as well,” explains Maria. “Students feel relieved, knowing they are getting help with their FAFSA and these other things they have to check off their list before school starts.”
Appointments are open now through September 15.