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Senate committee hears bill to expand FAFSA/WASFA navigators to every ESD; supporters cite pilot results and counselor capacity concerns
Summary
Senate Bill 5164 would establish financial‑aid completion and postsecondary enrollment specialists in every Educational Service District. Supporters said the pilot improved FAFSA/WASFA completion and sought state investment; counselors urged coordination so specialists augment rather than replace counselor relationships.
Senators heard testimony and stakeholder statements in support of Senate Bill 5164, a proposal to expand a financial‑aid completion pilot into a statewide program that places outreach specialists in every Educational Service District to help high‑school students complete FAFSA and WASFA forms and navigate postsecondary enrollment.
Senator Tawana Nobles, prime sponsor of SB 5164, said the bill would "provide students with the tools, guidance, and support needed to pursue their educational goals" by expanding a pilot that helped students fill out federal and state financial‑aid forms and by creating a training program for educators.
Kelly Gunn, committee staff, briefed the bill and said the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges would employ outreach specialists through a public or community‑based entity.…
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