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New FAFSA ready training program to empower counselors & community in supporting students with college financial aid process

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Wed, Jan 29th 2025 08:40 pm

Program aims to help educators bridge gap between financial aid opportunities and student participation 

New York State Higher Education Services Corp. Press Release

The New York State Higher Education Services Corp. (HESC) announced the launch of the New York state FAFSA ready training program. The new initiative aims to equip high school counselors, community partners, and support professionals with the resources, tools and expertise to support students in completing their FAFSANew York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), and the DREAM Act applications. 

As part of the rollout, HESC is working to broaden its partnerships with community organizations, including youth programs, nonprofit agencies, and local support networks, to connect more students with FAFSA completion assistance. These partnerships will foster a stronger support system for students, enabling them to work with local allies who understand their unique needs and challenges.

The NYS FAFSA ready training program provides educators and other partners with dedicated events, live trainings and resources that enable them to help students and families understand their financial aid options and troubleshoot common issues during the application process. Training topics include:

•FAFSA completion initiative: Provides participating schools with access to their students’ FAFSA and TAP completion data, and helps them identify those students who may be struggling to complete their FAFSA applications. This module will guide counselors through accessing and utilizing data from the FAFSA completion initiative to identify at-risk students and explore strategies to help them successfully complete their applications. This can also serve as a resourceful tool in meeting goals toward Gov. Kathy Hochul’s universal FAFSA completion legislation.

•Supporting students through their FAFSA: Designed to empower counselors and educators in guiding students through every phase of the FAFSA application process. It offers a step-by-step walkthrough of the application, breaking down each section with clear explanations and actionable tips. The module also provides up-to-date insights on common challenges students face, such as data entry errors, verification requirements, and eligibility concerns, along with practical workarounds and solutions. 

•NYS TAP and DREAM Act applications: Provides help for counselors and educators supporting students in accessing financial aid through the TAP and the DREAM Act portal. This includes a detailed overview of both applications, including step-by-step guidance on accessing and completing the TAP application and identifying which students should apply through the DREAM Act. The module also explains eligibility requirements and offers tips for avoiding common errors.

President Dr. Guillermo Linares said, “At HESC, our goal has always been to help students pay for college, and NYS FAFSA ready training program is another wonderful tool in our toolbox to ensure nothing stands between students and the financial aid they need to achieve their dreams. Together with the governor’s full support, we look forward to helping each student maximize their potential.”

Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “The state Education Department continues to move New York’s education system forward, preparing students for the opportunities they will encounter after graduating from high school. Today’s announcement is great news for all New York state students who wish to pursue higher education. The NYS FAFSA ready training program will provide school counselors, community partners, and others with the tools they will need to better understand and help their students through the college financial aid process. This is a critically important service, especially for those families new to the college application and admission process.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King said, “There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and Gov. Hochul’s universal FAFSA initiative will enable more students to access financial aid and achieve their college dreams. HESC’s training programs – along with SUNY’s FAFSA completion corps and our partnership with the national nonprofit uAspire – will help school counselors, community-based organizations, and other partners provide students and families with the support they need. Together, we are committed to providing families the affordable and high-quality education they deserve.”

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said, “The NYS FAFSA ready training program is a comprehensive set of resources that will help more school counselors and educators guide students and their families through the process of applying for federal and state financial aid. CUNY thanks Gov. Hochul and our partners at HESC for supporting our shared mission to empower more students to confidently pursue their college dreams.”

In 2023, more than $225 million in federal financial aid was left unclaimed by NYS students. The NYS FAFSA ready training program will serve as an important resource to help educators bridge the gap between the student application experience and access to the vital financial aid they need to achieve their higher education goals.

To register for training or for more information on the FAFSA ready training program, visit hesc.ny.gov

HESC is New York state’s student financial aid agency and a national leader in providing need-based grant and scholarship award money to college-going students. At HESC’s core are more than two-dozen grant, scholarship, and loan forgiveness programs, including TAP and the Excelsior Scholarship. HESC puts college within the reach of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers each year through programs like these and through the guidance it provides to students, families and counselors. HESC helps more than 300,000 students achieve their college dreams each year by providing more than $800 million in grants, scholarships, and loan forgiveness benefits.

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