NYC Gazette

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson have unveiled the changes brought about by the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget, aimed at enhancing the financial planning process for higher education during high school. Heastie emphasized the importance of financial aid programs in providing equal opportunities for students from all backgrounds to access quality education affordably.

Jacobson highlighted the significance of his FAFSA bill in expanding opportunities for all students by addressing the financial barriers to college education. He stressed the importance of completing the FAFSA to unlock grants and scholarships that can make college more affordable and prevent students from missing out on financial aid opportunities.

Chair of the Higher Education Committee, Patricia Fahy, expressed concern over the significant amount of federal student aid left unclaimed by New York students in the previous year. She urged students to complete the FAFSA to access available financial aid, emphasizing the budget's role in ensuring no student in New York misses out on financial opportunities for higher education.

The SFY 2024-25 budget introduces a requirement for every school district to verify that high school seniors' parents or guardians have completed the FAFSA application or an alternative form. This measure aims to ensure that students are aware of available financial aid options without penalizing them if their parents or guardians do not fulfill the requirements.