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Committee backs bill requiring FAFSA completion for certain state scholarship eligibility
Summary
Senate Bill 114, which would require students to complete the FAFSA to qualify for specified state scholarships and support the Department of Higher Education's 80% completion goal, passed after testimony from Maria Markham on outreach plans including career‑coach expansion.
Senate Bill 114 passed the Senate Education Committee after sponsor testimony and a departmental Q&A on student supports.
Sponsor Senator Ervin said the bill would require students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a condition for certain state scholarship eligibility, noting fewer than 60% of Arkansas high‑school seniors currently complete the form. He said completing the FAFSA helps students identify federal aid, grants and scholarships and that the Department of Higher Education has set an 80% FAFSA completion goal.
Maria Markham, director of the Division of Higher Education, told the committee the department is partnering with the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to reach the goal and is considering leveraging career‑coach programs and other supports. She said the FAFSA form has been streamlined and that expanded career‑coach funding is one way the state could increase assistance where counselors are overburdened.
Committee members asked how the state would help students who lack parental support or school counselors; Markham said plans are at an early stage and included proposals to expand career coaching and campus assistance. After questions and no public testimony, members moved to pass SB114 and the motion carried by voice vote; the transcript records the passage but no roll‑call tally.
