LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Michigan lawmakers are considering a bill that would require high school seniors to complete the FAFSA or an opt-out form to graduate, starting with the class of 2028.
Introduced in August of 2023, the proposal aims to increase access to federal and state financial aid. Schools would be responsible for providing FAFSA information and assisting students with completion.
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“This bill will ensure that students don’t miss out on opportunities for federal, state, and local financial aid that could help make college or career training affordable,” Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Walker) said.
The FAFSA is necessary for students seeking federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. It is also required for Michigan-specific scholarships, such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which offers up to $27,500 over five years to attend a public or private college, according to Bridge Michigan.
The State Board of Education has voiced opposition to the bill in the past, citing concerns that it could “create an unintended barrier to graduation for those students whose parents are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the FAFSA.”
The board instead advocates for increased funding to schools to hire more guidance counselors and college advisors.
To address concerns about accessibility, the bill allows districts to submit administrative waivers for students who neither complete the FAFSA nor opt out after multiple outreach attempts. The waiver would enable students to graduate after outreach attempts by the school.
“We are not holding students back from graduation,” Glanville said. “There’s no need for them to drop out…and I understand that the fear is hard to listen through. I truly understand that.”
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Michigan’s FAFSA completion rate for the class of 2024 stands at 53%, up from 43% in June, according to the National College Attainment Network. Lawmakers hope the mandate will close this gap, with $10 million set aside to help schools implement the requirement.
Proponents of the bill also point to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s goal of increasing the percentage of working-age Michiganders with a college degree or certification from 51% to 60% by 2030.
The bill passed the House Education Committee this week and now moves to the full House for a vote.
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