Senate Bill S5409

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S5409

SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to high school diploma
requirements

 
TITLE OF BILL:

Directs the commissioner of education to require prior to awarding of a
high school diploma either a free application for federal student aid
(FAFSA) to be filed or a waiver stating that the parent or guardian or,
if the student is eighteen years of age or older or legally emancipated,
the student, understands what the FAFSA is and has chosen not to file an
application.

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to create a new requirement for high school
graduation under the education law; requiring a student to either
              

complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA), or complete a waiver stating the student understands what the
FAFSA is and has chosen not to file an application. This bill also
creates a requirement for high schools to notify students at least four
times a year about state-sponsored scholarships, financial aid, and
other available assistance.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1(a) amends the education law to require the commissioner to
promulgate rules and regulations to require the parent or guardian, or
if the student is eighteen years old, such student, to comply with
either completing a FAFSA application or completing a waiver stating
that they understand what the FAFSA is and have chosen not to file an
application.

Section 1(b) requires the commissioner to promulgate rules and regu-
lations to require each school district with at least one high school to
provide each eligible high school student, and if applicable their
parent or guardian, any support or assistance necessary for compliance
of the regulations set forth in paragraph

(a) of this section.

Section 1(c) requires the commissioner to promulgate rules and regu-
lations requiring each high school to give notice to each high school
senior, at least four times during the school year, explanations of
state-sponsored scholarships, financial aid and assistance available to
students attending college or post-secondary educational institutions.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

In the United States today, an estimated 43 million Americans collec-
tively owe $1.5 trillion in student debt-a figure that continues to
rise. As a result, most high school graduates weigh the value of a
college degree against the prospect of entering the workforce tens or
even hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. On August 9, 2019, the
New York Times reported findings by the National College Access Network
(NCAN), a nonprofit group that promotes post-high school education. NCAN
discovered that students who complete the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) are significantly more likely to continue their
studies after high school. Moreover, this correlation is particularly
strong amongst low-income students who most need financial aid.

In addition to educating students about their available financial aid
options, filling out a FAFSA spurs high school seniors to consider
pursuing a college or post-secondary degree. This legislation includes
an opt-out option that ensures non-college-bound students won't be
barred from graduation for not filling out a FAFSA. For example, a high
school graduate who is immediately entering the armed forces will not be
required to fill out a FAFSA and can complete a waiver instead.

Other states have enacted similar laws. Beginning in the 2017-18 school
year, Louisiana required students to complete the FAFSA. The state now
leads the nation with nearly 79% of its high school seniors completing
the FAFSA compared to only 44% in 2013. This legislation would help New
York achieve similar success.

The FAFSA can be difficult to complete, especially if a student's
parents or guardians are unable to help. This bill addresses that by
requiring high schools to provide assistance to students and parents in
filling out either a FAFSA or a waiver. It also requires the Commission-
er of Education to create rules and regulations to require school
districts with at least one high school to provide the necessary support
or assistance for compliance.

Currently, too many New York students are unaware of the Excelsior
Program, which provides free tuition for eligible full-time students at
CUNY and SUNY two-year and four-year colleges. In many cases, these
students are missing opportunities because their guidance counselors
fail to promote these scholarships.  New York students should graduate
high school with all the available tools and resources needed to attend
college or post-secondary educational institutions with as little debt
as possible. This bill also requires each high school to notify its
seniors about state-sponsored scholarships, financial aid, and assist-
ance at least four times during the school year. This bill is a step
towards doing just that.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: A8566 - referred to education

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date
on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addi-
tion, amendment, and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for
the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to
be made and completed on or before such effective date.