The 2020–2021 FAFSA Application Decline: A Call for Educators

As families endure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more critical for students to gain access to federal assistance to cover college costs and avoid disruption in their education journey. The most important step for students and families to take in order to receive aid is filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). That's why the NEA put together a quick guide on how to best navigate helping your students apply!

Each year, the FAFSA provides more than 13 million students with nearly $150 billion toward their higher education pursuits. However, the rate of submission has fallen 16 percent from this time last year. There are many reasons that may be the cause of this decline— such as a decreased interest in higher education, lack of knowledge about the process, and pressing issues due to the pandemic like food and housing insecurity and technology challenges—and the decline is steepest and most pronounced for students of color and students from under-resourced communities.

To ensure that all students—particularly, students of color and students from under-resourced communities—have unfettered access to federal aid for higher education, we are calling on educators to raise awareness and build support around this issue. Check out our downloadable PDF guide that will help you and your students navigate this important process posted below.