ALBANY – The state Education Department won’t fork over data to prove it’s complying with the “universal FAFSA” law meant to ensure New York students are accessing more than $1 billion in available federal aid.
Schools across the Empire State were supposed to report how many of their students had completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by July 1, under a bill passed as part of the state budget last year.
“By failing to ensure true universal FAFSA access, we risk leaving students behind and falling short of our goal to make New York a state of opportunity for all,” state Sen. Andrew Gounardes wrote in a recent letter to Education Commissioner Betty Rosa.
The Brooklyn Democrat asked Rosa for an update on compliance with the law, citing data from the DC-based nonprofit National College Attainment Network showing just 68% of New York’s graduating high school seniors filled out the FAFSA app in 2025.
That would mark only a 3% increase in the completion rate from last year, despite the state mandate going into effect, he wrote.
New York students could unlock an additional $200 million in federal Pell Grants alone if they had completed the form, according to NCAN.
Some $600 million in Pell Grants, which are determined by the FAFSA form and generally do not have to be repaid, flowed to students across the state in the 2024-25 school year. As did another $900 million in state and federal student aid, officials said.
Gounardes said that the SED is letting students leave potentially millions more dollars on the table, made available to them by Washington and Albany to help them access college and training and career programs.
“I think we are seeing the consequences of not forcefully pushing through something we know can be transformative for every single student who knows that college is the best path forward for their future,” he told The Post in an interview.
“We should view it as an urgent mandate.”
A spokesperson for the SED said the agency was “collaborating” with schools to come up with the data, and that it would be released at a later date.
“NYSED is committed to ensuring that all students have access to clear, accurate information about higher education funding options,” spokesperson JP O’Hare wrote in a statement.
“In partnership with the Higher Education Services Corporation, we have been working closely with schools and districts to support this effort,” the statement said. “We are currently collaborating with schools to verify that FAFSA data is complete and accurate. The Department will release the data publicly once this process is complete.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul championed the FAFSA law as part of last year’s budget, and a spokesperson said it was a “key part” of her agenda.
“The Governor’s FAFSA legislation is a key part of her larger affordability agenda and we remain committed to ensuring New Yorkers can access the resources needed to pursue their educational and career goals,” Hochul spokesperson Kristin Devoe wrote in a statement.
“We will work with SED as they continue to ensure compliance with this essential law.”
Still, Gounardes noted the process has already taken several months.
“I don’t know why we’re so slow and so low. It’s deeply troubling,” he said.
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