Simpler college aid forms would mean more kids in college
- October 29, 2009
- 0 comments
- Posted in College, Latest Posts
It turns out that one of the barriers to getting college aid is the federal aid form itself. It’s so complicated, with 153 detailed questions about income and assets, that you want to throw it out, and many families do. Or they find it impossible to fill out correctly. I don’t understand some of the questions either.
The form is called the FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid). In a fascinating study, the tax preparer H&R Block helped low and middle income people fill in the form last year. A matching group got no help. Students from the group that was helped were almost 30 percent more likely to go to college and win a grant to help pay the bills. That’s a big number.
The Administration has a FAFSA simplification project going. Congress could help by streamlining the aid eligibility requirements. This country needs a smarter workforce sooner rather than later. It’s just plain stupid to let a piece of paper stand between students and their chance of learning skills.
Tags: College, college aid
