Texas will soon begin requiring all high school seniors in the state to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as a FAFSA, before graduating.
As Inside Higher Ed reports, higher ed researchers have shown that filling out the government form is linked to higher rates of college enrollment. Texas will become the second state to require a FAFSA, after Louisiana saw big successes when they implemented the idea.
Research has repeatedly shown that more access to financial aid is associated with higher rates of college completion. And higher education advocates say high school seniors neglect millions of aid dollars each year by not completing the form, often because it’s too difficult or they don’t believe they’ll qualify for aid.
If Texas sees the same rate of FAFSA completions that Louisiana does, it will mean an additional 12,000 students submit forms next year.