New Illinois law requires high-school students to complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form to graduate

The State Journal Register reports:

High school students in Illinois will now be required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to graduate, thanks to a bill signed last week by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“We want to be the kind of state that makes college affordable so our brightest minds can stay right here in Illinois,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Beginning in the fall of 2020, this law will help give students the freedom to choose the pathway that’s best for them — not the pathway they’re forced down because nobody gave them the information to explore their options. My administration will do everything in our power to make college an option for any student who wants that opportunity.”

Students will be required to complete the FAFSA or an alternative form created by the Illinois State Board of Education, though students with extenuating circumstances may complete a waiver.

Currently, only 59 percent of students complete the FAFSA application, which ranks Illinois ninth in the country for FAFSA completions. Illinois joins Louisiana as the only states requiring FAFSA completion.

“Not every student wishes to complete the FAFSA and that’s why we wanted to make sure we included a provision allowing students to opt out of the requirement,” said state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, who sponsored the bill. “This measure would allow us to maximize the number of students who apply for and receive federal student aid without creating an undue burden that stops some students from graduating.”

Big Brother wants you to fill out a form!