ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session

Majority Research Staff

Senate: ED DPA/SE 5-1-1-0 | Third Read 22-5-3-0

House: ED DP 8-2-0-2

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

SB 1798: school safety; identification system; appropriation

NOW: FAFSA; financial aid awareness program

Sponsor: Senator Sears, LD 9

Caucus & COW

Overview

Creates the Financial Aid Awareness Program (Program) within the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to recognize schools that provide financial aid awareness activities and support for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

History

Every individual applying for federal financial student aid must file the FAFSA with the Secretary of the United States Department of Education (ED) to determine their eligibility for the financial aid. When completing the FAFSA, an applicant and, if necessary, the applicant's parents or spouse, must provide specified personal and financial information. Federal law details the information the Secretary of ED must provide to an applicant who submits the FAFSA, such as: 1) the estimated amount of the federal Pell Grant award the applicant is eligible to receive; 2) information on the other types of federal financial aid the applicant may be eligible to receive; and 3) consumer-tested information regarding each institution selected by the applicant (20 U.S.C. § 1090).

Schools must complete an Arizona education and career action plan (ECAP) for every high school student in consultation with the student, student's parent or guardian and appropriate school personnel. The ECAP must, at a minimum, allow students to enter, track and update academic, career, postsecondary education and extracurricular activity goals (A.A.C. R7-2-302.05).

Provisions

1.   Establishes the Program in ADE to recognize schools that provide financial aid awareness activities and support for completing the FAFSA.

2.   Tasks ADE with administering the Program in collaboration with the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).  

3.   Allows, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, any school operated by a school district or a charter school to elect to participate in the Program by notifying ADE and demonstrating that the school:

a.   designates at least one employee as the school's point of contact for the FAFSA;

b.   annually reports to ABOR and ADE the name and contact information of each designated employee;

c. includes the name and contact information of each designated employee in the student handbook and in at least one communication from the school to students and students' parents;

d.   posts the name and contact information of each designated employee on the school's website;

e. develops and implements a FAFSA awareness strategy that is aligned with SBE-adopted ECAP requirements; and

f. provides, through the school's messaging system, social media or email accounts and student information system portal, the following information to the parents of 12th grade students:

i. the importance of completing the parent or contributor portion of the FAFSA;

ii.   any available school-based or statewide support for completing the FAFSA; and

iii.  any relevant deadlines or resources.  

4.   Requires the FAFSA awareness strategy to provide, through the school's messaging system, social media accounts and student information system portal, the following information in grade-level communications to high school students:

a.   the purpose of the FAFSA;

b.   the benefits of completing the FAFSA; and

c. the role of financial aid in postsecondary education and career pathways.

5.   Mandates each designated employee:

a.   complete an initial orientation program for the FAFSA that is approved or recognized by ABOR or a FAFSA support partner; and

b.   provide information about the FAFSA to students and students' families.

6.   Specifies how a designated employee may receive continuing education credits for Program-related duties.

7.   Instructs ADE to annually determine whether each school participating in the Program meets Program eligibility requirements.

8.   Permits ADE to require schools participating in the Program to submit reports or other evidence of eligibility in a form and manner prescribed by ADE.

9.   Allows a school participating in the Program and that meets the eligibility requirements to include the Program designation in the school report card, website, communications and promotional materials.

10.  Defines FAFSA and school.

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14.  Initials CH/JD                 SB 1798

15.  3/25/2026  Page 0 Caucus & COW

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