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Governor Ferguson says he will propose requiring FAFSA completion for graduation
Summary
In video remarks the governor credited advisory board work for improved FAFSA completion and said he intends to propose legislation requiring FAFSA completion (with an opt-out) as a graduation condition in the next legislative session.
In video remarks to the advisory board, Governor Bob Ferguson credited the advisory group's work for progress in FAFSA and WASFA completions and said he intends to propose legislation to require FAFSA completion for high school graduation.
"In this next legislative session, I plan to propose legislation that has been approved in multiple other states that actually requires completion of the FAFSA for graduation," Governor Bob Ferguson said, adding that students would be able to sign a form opting out if they choose not to complete the application.
Ferguson highlighted the campaign's gains since the board's formation and framed the proposed requirement as a proven lever to raise completion rates: "Guess what happens? The numbers go up in terms of the number of folks and the percentage of folks who complete that FAFSA and unlock all that opportunity," he said. He told board members the policy proposal would be part of his next legislative package and thanked them for their recommendations.
The governor's statement is a policy proposal; the meeting recorded no formal board vote on supporting that legislation. Board staff and members continued work on the advisory report and data analyses that will inform recommendations to the governor's office and potential legislative language.
