Financial Aid Access

 Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical step on the path to college. Access to financial aid can be a key factor in determining whether students who are underrepresented in college have the opportunity to attend college. This is especially true for students of color — particularly Black, Latinx, and Native American, Asian American and Pacific Islander students — students from low-income backgrounds, immigrant students, and first-generation college hopefuls. 

In New York State, students also can access state financial aid for college through the NYS Application for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and the NYS DREAM Act that help students from low-income backgrounds and undocumented students obtain grants and scholarships. 

Our Equity-Centered Approach

To support students in accessing financial aid, we lead the New York FAFSA Completion Project and celebrate best practices around the state through our annual New York FAFSA Challenge. Additionally, we partner with student-serving, counselor, superintendent, and higher education organizations statewide to develop a toolkit for high school staff to support seniors in completing financial aid applications.

We reveal equity gaps in completion rates year-over-year through our FAFSA tracker — particularly comparing schools with the highest shares of students from low-income backgrounds and those with the lowest shares. We also advocate for and support implementation of policies that increase access to financial aid, such as Universal FAFSA.

Latest Resource

On the Blog: Aid, Access, and Equity Series

To ensure all students are aware of financial aid options, a Universal FAFSA policy will be implemented this academic year so that New York students, regardless of citizenship status, have support and resources to complete the FAFSA and state aid applications, such as the Tuition Assistance Program and the DREAM Act. Students can sign a waiver to opt out of completing the FAFSA, and districts and schools will be responsible for tracking completion and waivers. To support this effort, EdTrust-New York hosted discussion groups with students and counselors to inform a five-part blog series on how this policy can help students, best practices for FAFSA completion, and additional support needed for implementation.  

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Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years

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FAFSA Completion Data for High Schools & Districts

Our interactive data tool shows the estimated percent of high school seniors who have completed the FAFSA in the 2023-24 school year, as well as track individual schools and districts.

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Financial Aid for College: High School Toolkit

In this toolkit, you’ll find 6 evidence-based best practices your school can use to support all eligible seniors and their families to complete their FAFSA, NYS Application for TAP, NYS DREAM Act, and Excelsior Scholarship applications.

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EdTrust-New York Statement Supporting Universal FAFSA Legislation

EdTrust–New York advocated for a Universal FAFSA policy, now being implemented across the state, to create a stronger system that supports completion, improves college access—especially for students of color and those from low-income backgrounds—and bolsters student success by opening more doors to opportunities that lead to a brighter future.

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Celebrating the 2024 FAFSA Challenge Winners

This blog post recognizes schools and their staff, representing each of New York’s OSC Economic Regions, for their innovation, determination, and ongoing support in helping students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — especially during a year of a chaotic application cycle with the roll out of Better FAFSA.

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Data Snapshot

Over

%

of high school seniors in New York State did not complete the FAFSA by June 2023.

*EdTrust-New York Brief, 2024

The New York State graduating class of 2023 left

in Pell Grants unclaimed.

*EdTrust-New York Brief, 2024

More Resources

EdTrust-New York FY27 Executive Budget Request

by | Oct 20, 2025 |

EdTrust-New York’s 2026 policy agenda is premised on the belief that all children can succeed in school when provided with high-quality, culturally relevant instruction and support that is equity-driven, data-centered, and student-focused. To improve outcomes across the state, particularly for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, EdTrust-New York advocates for an equitable system of education that helps schools meet the following milestones.