Committee hears bill to require FAFSA/WASFA completion evidence in high school plans

Senate Bill 5841, introduced in the Early Learning & K–12 Education Committee, would require high school and beyond plans to include evidence that a student has completed at least one state or federal financial aid application (the federal FAFSA or the state WASFA) or that a parent or guardian has formally opted the student out. Elena Becker, staff to the committee, said the change is intended to align existing graduation-planning requirements with steps that make students eligible for federal and state aid and that a fiscal note has been requested but not yet provided.