Heckscher Foundation Supported EdTrust–NY Launches New Data Tool “The New York FAFSA Challenge” to Highlight Success and Encourage FAFSA completion.
While low-income high school students are more likely than their wealthier peers to attend schools with low rates of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), dozens of New York high schools that serve large shares of low-income seniors are models of success for the rest of the state, according to analysis by The Education Trust–New York as part of its New York FAFSA Completion Project.
FAFSA completion matters because, according to the National College Access Network, 90 percent of high school seniors who complete the FAFSA go to college immediately after graduation — compared to just 55 percent of seniors who do not complete the FAFSA. And, based on data released by NerdWallet, New Yorkers are missing out on an estimated $152 million in federal financial aid by not filling out the form — plus state TAP grants and Excelsior Scholarships.
Ed Trust–NY’s analysis shows that, as of February 1, the schools with the fewest low-income students have a 36 percent higher FAFSA completion rate than the schools with the greatest share of low-income students. At the same time, more than 100 high schools enroll at least 40 percent low-income students and are among the top FAFSA completion schools in the state – providing powerful examples for New York schools...