Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Higher Ed Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Students’ FAFSA completion debated as Maryland lawmakers weigh mandate to boost college aid access
Summary
Maryland lawmakers heard testimony supporting a bill that would require public high‑school seniors to submit the FAFSA or sign an opt‑out, in an effort to increase access to Pell Grants and state financial aid.
A House bill that would require Maryland public school seniors to apply for federal student aid (or record a documented opt‑out) drew strong backing Tuesday from education groups, college access nonprofits and state higher‑education officials.
Supporters said the measure, modeled on policies already adopted in about a dozen states, would identify students eligible for Pell Grants and state aid who otherwise leave significant federal funding unused. “Nationally, the high‑school class of 2023 left over $4 billion in Pell Grant money unclaimed simply because students did not submit the FAFSA,” Maryland Higher Education Commission Secretary Sanjay Rai told the committee, urging a favorable report.
Students and local counselors described tangible gains when schools made FAFSA completion part of senior‑year routines. Carlos Nada, college‑career coordinator at Seneca Valley High School in Montgomery County, said targeted classroom sessions and account setup produced a year‑over‑year completion increase at his school at a time when statewide completion fell.
Advocates stressed safeguards for students whose families are reluctant to share tax data: the federal FAFSA includes an IRS data retrieval tool that pulls information securely from tax records, and the bill allows a written opt‑out by students who decide not to apply. “A student can literally just sign something: you told me about this. I understand the options. I’m choosing not to do it,” sponsor Delegate Jared Solomon said.
Opponents and some committee members, however, raised practical and privacy questions. Counselors and school representatives told lawmakers that implementation requires staff time and careful local planning about who will manage forms, waivers and family conversations. Delegate Vanessa Atterberry and others said the Maryland State Department of Education and MHEC should produce guidance and best practices for districts.
Representatives of college‑access nonprofits and community organizations asked for a role in crafting toolkit and regulations. First Generation College Bound and the Maryland Alliance for College Affordability and Equity said the bill would be most effective with clear rules about staffing, consent and support for English‑language‑learner and undocumented families.
The committee did not take a final vote; supporters said they would work with MSDE and MHEC to refine implementation details and the timing of any mandate.
