FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 4, 2009

State sees strong growth in student-aid applications

OLYMPIA –Applications for student financial assistance are increasing as more Washington residents turn to higher education to upgrade job skills or train for new careers during the current economic downturn.  

Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) research shows that the number of Washington residents completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2009-10 academic year is up about 20 percent compared to the same time a year ago. That is an increase of about 40,300 applications over the previous academic year.

Completed FAFSA applications are a good barometer of interest in financial assistance because a completed FAFSA is required for most state and federal financial aid programs.

HECB research shows that about 40 percent of FAFSA applicants appear to have incomes low enough to qualify for federal Pell Grants, which are direct grants awarded through participating institutions to students based on financial need.

The FAFSA also is used to determine eligibility for the State Need Grant (SNG), the largest state-funded financial assistance program.  The 2009 Legislature increased SNG funding by $16 million next biennium to help offset the impact of tuition increases on lower-income families.

Each year, at least some students miss out on the opportunity for financial assistance because they incorrectly assume they don’t qualify. A survey of full-time community college students released last year found that 39 percent did not apply for financial assistance because they did not believe they were eligible.

“It’s not too late to apply for aid even though the start of the new academic year is fast approaching,” said John Klacik, the HECB’s Director of Student Financial Assistance. “Although many schools have priority filing dates that have already passed, there are still some grant, work, and loan opportunities that will continue to be available to students who apply soon.”

Additional information about the FAFSA and applying for financial assistance is available on the HECB website at www.hecb.wa.gov/paying/applying/applyingindex.asp.

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For more information: Gary Larson

(360) 753-7817 or garyl@hecb.wa.gov