 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
school
safety; identification system; appropriation
(NOW: FAFSA; financial aid awareness program)
Purpose
Establishes 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) beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Outlines eligibility requirements for schools that elect to participate in the Program and administrative requirements on ADE relating to the Program.
Background
Each individual seeking to apply for federal financial aid must file an application with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education (Secretary), known as the FAFSA. An applicant must provide the Secretary with an application that includes outlined personal and financial information to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. Upon receiving and processing a FAFSA, the Secretary must provide to the applicant: 1) the estimated dollar amount of a Federal Pell Grant award for which the applicant is eligible; 2) information on other types of federal financial aid for which the applicant may be eligible and how the applicant can find additional information regarding such aid; 3) specified consumer-tested information regarding each institution selected by the applicant, including the median debt of students upon completion and the institutional default rate; 4) if applicable, a notification of the federal means-tested benefits that the applicant has not already indicated to receive, but for which the applicant may be eligible; 5) information on specified education tax benefits; and 6) if the individual identified as a veteran or a U.S. Armed Forces active duty service member, information on benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense (20 U.S.C. § 1090).
A public school must complete an Arizona Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP) for each student in grades 9 through 12 prior to graduation. An ECAP must allow students to enter, track and update the student's: 1) academic goals, which includes identifying and planning the coursework necessary to achieve the high school graduation requirements and pursue postsecondary education and career options; 2) career goals, which includes identifying career plans, options, interests and skills, exploring entry level opportunities, and evaluating educational requirements; 3) postsecondary education goals, which includes identifying progress toward meeting admission requirements, completing application forms and creating financial assistance plans; and 4) extracurricular activity goals, which includes documenting participation in clubs, organizations, athletics, fine arts, community service and other activities (A.A.C. R7-2-302.05).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes the Program within ADE to recognize schools that provide financial aid awareness activities and support for completing the FAFSA.
2. Directs ADE to administer the Program in collaboration with the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).
3. Allows, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, any school in Arizona to elect to participate in the Program by notifying ADE and by 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 the school's designated point of contact for the FAFSA;
c) includes the name and contact information of the school's designated point of contact for the FAFSA in the student handbook and at least one communication from the school to students and student's parents;
d) posts the name and contact information of the school's designated point of contact for the FAFSA on the school's website;
e) develops and implements a FAFSA awareness strategy that is aligned with the State Board of Education's adopted ECAP requirements; and
f) provides through the school's messaging system, social media accounts, email accounts and student information system portal, the following information to the parents of grade 12 students, if the school provides instruction to high school students:
i. the importance of completing the parent or contributor portion of the FAFSA;
ii. any school-based or statewide support that is available completing the FAFSA; and
iii. any relevant deadlines or resources.
4. Requires each school's designated point of contact for the FAFSA to:
a) complete an initial orientation program for the FAFSA that is approved or recognized by either ABOR or a FAFSA support partner; and
b) provide information about the FAFSA, including information about available resources and assistance to students and families of students.
5. Allows a school's designated point of contact for the FAFSA to earn continuing education credits for completing:
a) the prescribed initial orientation program for the FAFSA; or
b) any training and education after the initial orientation program to learn about updates to federal policies and processes relating to the FAFSA.
6. Specifies, if a school provides instruction to high school students, that the FAFSA awareness strategy must provide, through the school's messaging system, social media accounts, email accounts and student information system portal, the following information in grade-level communications to students in grades 9 through 12:
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.
7. Requires ADE to annually determine whether each participating Program school meets the prescribed eligibility requirements.
8. Authorizes ADE to require each participating Program school to submit reports or other evidence of eligibility to ADE in a form and manner prescribed by ADE.
9. Allows a participating Program school to include the Program designation in the school's report card and on the school's website, communications and promotional materials.
10. Defines school as a school that is operated by a school district or charter school.
11. Defines FAFSA as the application that is required for individuals seeking to apply for federal financial aid.
12. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Adopted the strike-everything amendment.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1. Establishes the Program within ADE.
2. Directs ADE to collaborate with ABOR in administering the Program.
3. Replaces the requirements on high schools relating to designating a FAFSA point of contact and providing outlined FAFSA information with an authorization for any school to elect to participate in the Program beginning in the 2027-2028 school year by notifying ADE and demonstrating that the school meets outlined eligibility requirements.
4. Requires ADE to annually determine whether each participating Program school meets the prescribed eligibility requirements.
5. Allows ADE to require each participating Program school to submit reports or other evidence of eligibility to ADE.
6. Allows a participating Program school to include the Program designation in the school's report card and on the school's website, communications and promotion materials.
7. Specifies that the Program eligibility requirement to provide specified FAFSA information to parents and students only applies to schools that provide instruction to high school students.
8. Specifies that a participating Program school must annually report the name and contact information of each FAFSA designated point of contact to ADE in addition to ABOR.
9. Defines school.
10. Makes technical and conforming changes.
Senate Action
ED 2/27/26 DPA/SE 5-1-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 10, 2025
MH/SM/hk