SB1798 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Purpose

Requires each high school to designate a school employee as the school's point of contact for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and provide specified information relating to the FAFSA to students and parents beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.

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. Requires, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, each high school to:

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

b) annually report to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) the name and contact information of the school's designated point of contact for the FAFSA;

c) include 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) post the name and contact information of the school's designated point of contact for the FAFSA on the school's website;

e) develop and implement a FAFSA awareness strategy that is aligned with the State Board of Education's adopted ECAP requirements; and

f) provide 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:

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Specifies 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.

5. Defines FAFSA as the application that is required for individuals seeking to apply for federal financial aid.

6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.