College: Financial aid form is key to success

Washington state ranks almost dead last – 48th in the nation – in students applying for federal financial aid. Statewide, 56 percent of students apply. It varies wildly, with Clover Park at 46.7 percent of students applying compared to 71.7 percent of seniors in University Place.

Filling out the financial aid form should be standard. Some states have made it a high school graduation requirement, which is a law our state should consider.

Part of the problem is bad information. A national survey in 2018 found that a third of families thought they could afford college without financial aid. Another third thought they wouldn’t be eligible. Fifteen percent didn’t know they could complete one form to apply for aid at every college.

Today, a high school diploma is not enough. Every student won’t need a bachelor’s degree, but they will need a year or two of college or technical education.

Making sure all of our graduating seniors apply for federal financial aid is an easy – and free – way to give students a chance at success in college and life.

This story was originally published December 3, 2019 at 4:26 PM with the headline "College: Financial aid form is key to success."