Access partners urge seniors to complete FAFSA, weigh fit and cost before College Decision Day

On the Higher Education Access Corner podcast, host Tiffany DeVan spoke with Evelyn Disla Hernandez, an access partner who joined the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (access partners program) in April, about what high‑school seniors and their families should prioritize as high‑school graduation and College Decision Day approach.

Why it matters: May 1 is widely observed as National College Decision Day and missing financial‑aid steps before that date can limit or delay students’ options. Hernandez emphasized that submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early is a practical first step to ensure schools can assemble accurate financial‑aid offers.

Hernandez told listeners that seniors should “apply for the FAFSA so you know that you have financial aid in line.” She recommended visiting prospective campuses to assess fit beyond what appears on paper — checking classroom sizes, student‑to‑faculty interaction, student activities and whether students feel welcome. “Don't discount any college based on the sticker price,” she said, noting many institutions offer institutional aid that lowers a student’s net price.

The guests and host discussed several concrete, short‑term tasks seniors and families should complete once they pick a school: submit any required deposits, send final transcripts, complete medical forms and answer housing and roommate questionnaires. Hernandez warned that many offices pause for the summer, so completing paperwork early both protects enrollment and lets students enjoy a less stressful summer.

On borrowing and budgeting, Hernandez recommended using the MySmartBorrowing tool (mysmartborrowing.org) to model likely loan repayments against expected starting salaries. “Smart borrowing is important — whether you graduate with $0 or you graduate with $120,000 in debt,” she said, urging realistic family conversations about what a household can afford and how borrowing will affect future choices.

For students unsure whether to attend college immediately or which type of postsecondary pathway to choose, the guests encouraged exploration rather than pressure to pick a major immediately. EducationPlanner.org was recommended as a resource for career‑matching assessments and for comparing program types, including certificate programs and trade schools.

Hernandez also raised nonacademic preparations parents should consider: arranging HIPAA authorizations and medical power of attorney before a student turns 18 and setting communication expectations between parents and students once the student leaves home. She suggested that parents give themselves “grace” because each child’s experience can differ even within the same family.

The episode closed with practical reminders: check student email accounts regularly (colleges use email for key communications), confirm scholarship requirements (some scholarships require final transcripts or a school address to release funds), and, where possible, visit a prospective college’s financial‑aid office to review net‑price calculations rather than relying on published sticker prices.

Resources mentioned in the episode included the FAFSA application, EducationPlanner.org and MySmartBorrowing (mysmartborrowing.org). The hosts also advised contacting local higher‑education access partners for last‑minute questions and assistance in completing financial‑aid and enrollment steps.

No formal votes or policy decisions were made during the podcast; the episode consisted of information and guidance for students and families preparing for graduation and college enrollment.