WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Education has unveiled a comprehensive strategy. It is aimed at providing crucial support to Black students, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and American families. This strategy focuses on navigating the Better FAFSA form. The Better FAFSA initiative seeks to simplify and streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. Its goal is to make it more accessible and user-friendly. This is especially helpful for Black American students pursuing higher education opportunities but facing financial constraints. 

“When we make FAFSA simpler and easier, we make the decision to pursue higher education simpler and easier,” Secretary Miguel Cardona of the U.S. Department of Education said today in his press call to Education reporters. 

Collaborative approach and needs assessment before FSA staff deployment

His department’s FAFSA College Support Strategy includes dispatching federal personnel and experts to aid colleges in processing and preparing of financial aid forms. Secretary Cardona mentioned that before this deployment, they are currently communicating with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), seeking their specific requirements. 

The U.S. Department of Education is currently conducting a needs assessment, which will extend through this week and the next, to determine the types and quantities of FSA staff needed for deployment based on colleges’ requests. The strategy also includes working with nonprofits. 

“We recognize that every college is going to be impacted, but not every college is going to be impacted the same,” Secretary Cardona told The Black Wall Street Times. “We know HBCUs, tribal colleges, predominately Black institutions, Hispanic severing institutions, will have an impact, especially HBCUs that are a little smaller and don’t have the capacity in their financial aid office.” 

The Possible Impact of the Better FAFSA Initiative

During the interview, Secretary Cardona said his department anticipates 600,000 additional students having access to higher education through the Better FAFSA Initiative.

“Imagine that, though, over half a million additional students going to college with up to $7,400 in aid. We expect to be able to provide more federal aid for higher education this school year than any other year. So, this is why we call it Better FAFSA,” Secretary Cardona said with enthusiasm during the interview with The Black Wall Street Times.

“We expect more students of color, more students who maybe have financial needs to feel like they can access college, and then you throw in the safe plan that makes college loan repayment more affordable. We’re opening doors to higher education,” Secretary Cardona added. 

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Addressing Barriers for Black Students and First-Generation College-Goers

Many Black American students who come from under-resourced communities may have concerns or apprehensions about filling out a FAFSA form. This can be related to various factors, such as the complexity of the application, worries about eligibility, or uncertainty about the financial aid process, which, for younger students, requires the parents’ financial information. 

Secretary Cardona shared his own experience as a first-generation college student. He explains that despite being eligible for a Pell Grant, he felt intimidated by the FAFSA form and chose not to complete it. 

“I didn’t wanna put any burden on my parents, who already sacrificed so much for my education. I was fortunate enough that it didn’t prevent me from going to college,” he said. “But what frustrates me is that this isn’t the case for so many others.” 

Factors that might deter a Black or Brown student from completing a FAFSA form

• Financial Literacy: Limited financial literacy or understanding of the financial aid process can deter students and their families from completing the FAFSA. This may be particularly prevalent among first-generation college students.
• Lack of Awareness: Some Black students may not be aware of FAFSA. They may not understand that filling out a FASFA is important in securing financial aid for college. Insufficient outreach and information dissemination in their communities contributes to this lack of awareness. 
• Complex Application: Students may perceive the FAFSA application as complex and time-consuming. This may discourage some students from completing it, especially if they are unfamiliar with the process.
• Lack of Family Support: Some students may not receive sufficient support or guidance from their families or schools in completing the FAFSA. This can result in missed opportunities for financial aid.
• Fear of Debt: Concerns about accruing student loan debt may discourage some Black students from applying for financial aid, as they may be hesitant to take on loans even if they are eligible for grants and scholarships. 

Outreach Strategies for Better FAFSA Completion

Secretary Cardona mentioned that the Department intends to collaborate with various stakeholders for the Better FAFSA initiative. These include K-12 schools, school counselors, and financial aid administrators at the college level. Additionally, they plan to engage with governors to enhance awareness regarding FAFSA completion.

He emphasized that FAFSA completion rates should ideally match graduation rates, two key educational indicators.

The Education Secretary stated that there will be additional outreach efforts for the Better FAFSA initiative. These efforts will encompass media campaigns, community discussions, and collaborations with educational institutions. The primary goal of these initiatives is to increase FAFSA completion rates.