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Governor Bob Ferguson says he will propose requiring FAFSA completion for graduation
Summary
In a video to the advisory board, Governor Bob Ferguson said he plans to propose legislation that would require students to complete the FAFSA or sign an opt-out form before graduation; advisory members raised concerns about mandating completion and stressed the need for supports and clear definitions of success.
Governor Bob Ferguson appeared by video during the advisory board’s June meeting and praised the campaign’s progress, saying Washington had moved from the high 40s to 36th in national FAFSA completion rankings. "In this next legislative session, I plan to propose legislation that's been approved in multiple other states that actually requires completion of the FAFSA for graduation," he said, adding that students would be able to sign an opt-out form if they chose not to complete the form.
Board members responded with both support for boosting completion and caution about linking completion to graduation. Several members said mandates risk turning the process into a checkbox unless paired with capacity and funding to help schools provide meaningful, individualized support. One advisory member said tying FAFSA to graduation "doesn't necessarily fix" the deeper questions about meaning and purpose for students who may choose other pathways such as the military or trades.
Members urged that any policy approach be accompanied by specific funding and implementation guidance so that districts with different capacities — from very small rural schools to large urban systems — can operationalize supports. Staff noted the board’s recommendations already include exploring policy and system approaches and promised to surface case studies and costed options in the draft report due in early October.
The Governor’s statement signals an intent to pursue policy change in the next legislative session; advisory board members asked WSAC and the Governor’s office to provide additional analysis and proposed implementation language so the board’s Oct. 31 report can address practical implications.
