Hildreth Institute Releases a Policy Insight for Proposed Universal FAFSA Initiative in Massachusetts: Guiding Policy Discussions Towards Equitable Higher Education Access
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 7th, 2024
CONTACT: news@hildrethinstitute.org - (617) 752-3701
Boston, MA — “As Massachusetts policymakers contemplate the adoption of a universal FAFSA policy—a measure already embraced by thirteen other states—the Hildreth Institute released a Policy Insight detailing evidence-based best practices essential for maximizing the effectiveness of the policy. This guidance aims to ensure that the increase in FAFSA applications translates into higher college enrollment and completion rates, as well as an increase in the number of Pell Grant recipients.
Enhancing Awareness and Accessibility of New State Financial Aid:
“These policy discussions are set against a backdrop of a historic state investment in financial aid programs such as MassReconnect and MassGrant Plus Expansion, highlighting an essential need to raise awareness of these significant resources. The conversations on potentially adopting a universal FAFSA centers on its ability to heighten awareness and usage of underleveraged grant aid, thereby lowering the financial barriers that obstruct access to higher education.
Key Policy Observations:
“Hildreth Institute’s analysis provides an objective review of the Universal FAFSA policy's design, grounded in a thorough examination of national best practices. The Policy Insight identified several significant aspects of the proposal:
The policy offers opt-out flexibility, enabling students and parents to avoid potential unnecessary complexity.
It introduces the possibility of waivers for specific graduation prerequisites under specific circumstances, championing inclusivity and accessibility.
It includes the option to fill-out a state-specific FAFSA variant for undocumented students that underscores a commitment to ensuring educational accessibility for all demographics.
Central to the policy is the creation of a trust fund, aimed at bolstering the capacities of schools and community organizations to support this initiative, promoting synergies between K-12 and higher education sectors.
Enhancing FAFSA's Impact Through Comprehensive College Guidance:
“One key insight from the analysis reveals that while all of the states that have adopted this policy experienced improvements in FAFSA completion rates, not all achieved the same level of success. States like Louisiana, which coupled the policy with an intensive college guidance program beginning in early high school, witnessed an uptick in college attendance rates. This outcome underscores the fact that while FAFSA filing is a crucial step in the college application journey, it represents just one facet. "Absent comprehensive guidance on the broader college application process, students, particularly those who are first-generation college attendees or from immigrant backgrounds, may lack the necessary knowledge and resources to successfully apply, enroll and persist without the added support”, explained Hiba Agha, author of the Policy Insight. In Massachusetts, the establishment of a trust fund is essential for enhancing the capacity and expertise of schools and community organizations in providing such crucial college guidance, thereby aiming to replicate the positive outcomes observed in states with significant success.
Cost Considerations and Strategic Investments:
“According to Hildreth Institute’s estimates, implementing a narrow FAFSA filing support would cost the state $5.6 million. However, a more comprehensive approach encompassing college guidance alongside FAFSA filing is projected at $450 per student, totaling $13 million for statewide coverage. Blending high-touch guidance where it's most needed with streamlined assistance elsewhere could refine this initiative's effectiveness, potentially balancing the overall investment at approximately $9.4 million.
“As Massachusetts navigates these policy discussions, the Hildreth Institute’s aim is to equip decision-makers with thorough, evidence-based insights, fostering informed deliberations on the universal FAFSA initiative and its implications for enhancing educational success and equity.”
About Hildreth Institute:
The Hildreth Institute, a trusted source of independent research, is committed to driving systemic change in higher education by promoting affordability, accountability, and equity, empowering advocates and decision-makers with student-centered, equity-driven policy analysis, thereby fostering an inclusive and transformative educational landscape.
For more information, visit hildrethinstitute.org or contact news@hildrethinstitute.org
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Access Policy Insight here.