In an effort to boost college and trade school enrollment, Milwaukee Public Schools are now requiring students to complete a federal financial aid application before graduation. It’s certainly an interesting move.
Here’s Five Fast Facts on Milwaukee’s FAFSA Requirement:
- 📚FAFSA-What? - The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) gives students access to federal sources of financial aid for college or trade school. School staff will help students fill out and complete this form. Students don’t have to do anything with it after they apply if secondary education doesn’t factor into their plans.
- ✏️Simple Math - The Board says the requirement is designed to potentially help lower the cost of college (which may just be more expensive than a trip to space with Elon) and it will also help those who are disproportionately underserved and overlooked when it comes to college aid.
- 📓That’s an F - Wisconsin ranks 41st in FAFSA Completion Rates, with high school students passing up almost $50M in free college aid in 2021. That’s at least TWO trips to space!
- 🎓That’s an A - A 2019 study said that more than 91% of graduates who completed a FAFSA application enrolled in college within that same year, compared to 50% of graduates who did not.
- 🗺️Geography - FAFSA applications are also required before graduation in Louisiana, Texas, Illinois, California, Alabama, Colorado, New Hampshire and Maryland. So it’s not a unique requirement.
🔥Bottom line: With tuition constantly on the rise, giving students a boost is a smart move. While the word “requirement” may turn people off at first, once they realize the ease (remember: staff is helping) and potential benefits, they change their minds quickly.
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