Ruiz: Avoid leaving money on the table for college expenses through FAFSA
Posted
ASU Deputy Vice President of Educational Outreach and Student Services Vanessa Ruiz
Submitted Photo/ASU
By Vanessa Ruiz | ASU Deputy Vice President of Educational Outreach and Student Services
More than $4 billion in Federal Pell Grants went unclaimed by the class of 2023 simply because they did not fill out the free application for Federal Financial Aid.
The FAFSA has been the key for students to obtain financial aid while attending college since 1992. However, recent changes to the FAFSA application process have proven challenging to parents and students alike, causing many questions and concerns.
For some, the FAFSA is the determining factor in whether a student can attend college at all.
Whereas other families may need help but still have enough financial resources to pay their students' way, other families are highly dependent on the FAFSA and its proper completion. These families are also those most likely to face challenges and frustrations in trying to complete it.
The benefits of completing a FAFSA are well worth the time it takes to provide the financial information it requires. Starting in the 2024-25 award year an estimated 610,000 new students will be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, according to studentaid.gov.
Every student who completes the FAFSA is automatically considered for the Pell Grant. The amount students receive will vary depending on several factors, including the cost of attendance at their selected institution and status as full-time or part-time students.
For the 2024-2025 award year, the maximum Federal Pell Grant Award is $7,395, according to fsapartners.ed.gov and an additional 1.5 million students are expected to be eligible to receive the maximum amount.
Access ASU, a K-12 outreach division at Arizona State University, is dedicated to increasing access to higher education for all Arizona students, has taken note of these challenges and seeks to clarify and assist parents in completing this critical form.
This year we are encouraging all students to submit the FAFSA by the newly adjusted May 1 priority submission date. Early submission increases the likelihood of students receiving their financial aid package sooner.
In addition, students who run into challenges completing the FAFSA due to their parent's immigration status will not be penalized as long as the student has a valid social security number. Knowing these key guidelines can help make the FAFSA process much less daunting for everyone.
Access ASU’s primary focus is to provide college-going support for all students and parents.
Arizona students who need additional guidance and resources can turn to one of the many programs offered by Access ASU, free of charge.
The Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program has been helping students navigate their academic careers for nearly 40 years. Now open to all students regardless of their ethnicity or gender, the program seeks to provide connections to mentors, scholarships, grants, and a vast network of other academic resources.
The program also educates parents on how to facilitate the best preparation for their student to enroll and complete a degree at ASU successfully.
In addition, Access ASU has also developed thoughtful programming to support parents and assist families in discussing higher education preparedness and degree attainment with their children through a program called WeGrad.
Open to elementary, middle and high school students and their parents, the program offers online education to ensure parents and students are prepared to discuss college decisions, make the best possible decisions and have their financial concerns addressed. WeGrad also teaches lessons on FAFSA preparation and completion.
The ultimate goal of WeGrad is to ensure parents know how to reinforce the value of education with their children, understand their role in helping their child enjoy academic success and ultimately prepare their student for college, both academically and financially.
Without the critical role of parents and caretakers, students are left to find resources and determine which are best to meet their needs.
The bottom line is every academic year, money is left on the table and Access ASU is committed to helping every family receive access to grants, scholarships and additional support. Taking advantage of Access ASU’s programs, in addition to properly completing the FAFSA is the best plan to ensure no financial resource is left unexplored.
