NEW YORK, NY – EdTrust-New York has released an updated Financial Aid for College: High School Toolkit , designed to help high schools guide all students through the financial aid application process.

The toolkit provides six evidence-based strategies schools can implement to improve Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates. It includes practical tips for tracking student progress, an expanded FAQ section, and outreach materials available in both English and Spanish for communicating with students and families.

FAFSA completion plays an essential role in college enrollment. According to the National College Access Network, 90% of high school seniors who complete the FAFSA enroll in college immediately after graduation, compared to only 55% of students who do not.

“Financial aid is a critical lifeline for students pursuing higher education,” said Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, executive director of EdTrust-New York. “In the face of federal attacks on basic needs programs like SNAP and Medicaid, financial aid becomes even more essential in helping students withstand any economic barriers in their way. We believe these resources will provide schools with valuable support to help students successfully complete this important step in their educational journey and access the funding they deserve.”

“The NY FAFSA Toolkit equips schools with the essential resources and support needed to help students and families navigate the financial aid process,” said Dr. Guillermo Linares, NYS Higher Education Services Corporation President. “By providing this critical tool, we are empowering schools to guide students on their path to higher education. Educators play a pivotal role in shaping a child’s future, inspiring and guiding the next generation toward success, and we must ensure they have the tools necessary to fulfill this mission.”

As part of the New York FAFSA Completion Project — a statewide campaign aimed at increasing the number of students from low-income backgrounds who complete the FAFSA and qualify for federal and state financial aid — EdTrust-New York also announced the winners of the 2025 New York FAFSA Completion Challenge. The Challenge recognizes schools from New York’s OSC Economic Regions that achieved strong FAFSA completion rates or demonstrated significant year-over-year improvement.

“For many Latino students, affordability remains the deciding factor in whether to pursue higher education. With important changes like the decoupling of New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) from the FAFSA and the federal government’s commitment to earlier FAFSA availability, it is more important than ever that counselors and school personnel have clear, accessible resources to guide students and families. The Financial Aid for College: High School Toolkit provides that step-by-step support, helping ensure students can successfully navigate both federal and state aid applications,” said Ingrid Alvarez, Vice President for Policy and Strategic Engagement, Hispanic Federation. “Financial burdens continue to weigh heavily on particularly low-income, immigrant, and first-generation college-goers, and this resource is a critical tool in expanding college access and affordability. We are proud to once again to partner with EdTrust-New York, HESC, NY FAFSA Challenge and others to deliver this valuable resource to schools and families across the state.”

“The New York State School Counselors Association is pleased to support EdTrust-New York in its work on The New York FAFSA Completion Project,” said Bob Rotunda, executive director of the New York State School Counselors Association. “It is well established that FAFSA completion leads to better outcomes in college applications, admissions, and completions. This toolkit is an invaluable resource to school counselors, who are deeply involved in this process.”

For more information and questions about the 2025 New York FAFSA Completion Challenge or The Financial Aid for College: High School Toolkit, please contact: [email protected]

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About EdTrust-New York:  EdTrust-New York is dedicated to eliminating equity and opportunity gaps that hinder students from reaching their full potential. We focus on ensuring that students of color, including Black, Latinx, Native American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and those from low-income backgrounds achieve high levels of success from early childhood through college. For more information, visit EdTrustNY.org.