Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate and Professor of Economics at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York | CUNY Graduate Center
Paul Krugman, Nobel laureate and Professor of Economics at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York | CUNY Graduate Center
Gov. Kathy Hochul has initiated a public awareness campaign urging college students in New York to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access state and federal financial aid opportunities. The campaign involves various stakeholders, including students, Administration officials, and education leaders, to assist students in filling out the FAFSA.
In a statement, Gov. Hochul emphasized the importance of higher education, stating, “Higher education can change people’s lives, and we are expanding pathways to college for all New York students.” Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado joined in the effort, expressing pride in supporting prospective college students to ensure they have affordable access to higher education.
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez highlighted the issue of unclaimed financial aid, stating, “Each year, New Yorkers leave money for college on the table because they have not completed financial aid forms.” To address this, CUNY has launched the CUNY Financial Aid Support Team (FAST) to assist students in accessing financial aid.
Reflecting on their experiences, CUNY FAST Coaches Sunny Kwong and Sigelis Sued shared their dedication to helping students navigate the FAFSA process and access financial support for college.
Various officials and organizations, including the State Department of Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., and State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, have expressed their support for the campaign and emphasized the importance of completing the FAFSA for students' educational pursuits.
The campaign aligns with Gov. Hochul's efforts to expand access to financial aid in New York, including initiatives to make FAFSA completion universal and enhance the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). These measures aim to ensure that more students can access the resources needed to pursue their academic goals and improve their career prospects.
Assembly Member Patricia Fahy highlighted the impact of last year's unclaimed federal student aid in New York and encouraged all students to complete the FAFSA to take advantage of available financial opportunities.
The public awareness campaign seeks to address the challenges faced by students in completing the FAFSA and aims to increase FAFSA completion rates to ensure that all eligible students can access financial aid for their college education.
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