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I look back on the first time I looked up what the FAFSA was. I was a high school junior preparing to apply to colleges, but I knew that this one form stood between me and the reality of affording college. The questions felt like a foreign language—dependency status, tax information, and asset reporting—and I was terrified of filling it out incorrectly. As someone from a Ghanaian immigrant household, I understood that college was my pathway forward, but the financial hurdles seemed insurmountable.

My parents had both attended college in Ghana, but had no experience with the US education system, so the financial aid system here was as foreign to them as it was to me. I knew that when I asked for help, they would only be able to provide moral support, but no technical help to guide me through the complex process. Like many students navigating this process alone, it felt overwhelming.

Unfortunately, my experience isn’t unique. Each year, thousands of students—especially first-generation, low-income, and students of color—miss out on federal and state financial aid simply because they don’t complete the FAFSA. According to the National College Attainment Network, the Massachusetts high school class of 2024 left behind an estimated $63 million in Pell Grant aid by not submitting the form. That’s not just money lost – it’s also lost potential.

Massachusetts is not immune. As of May 2025, the state ranks 39th in year-over-year increases in FAFSA completion, with many high schools reporting submission rates below 60%. This form, while just one step in the college process, has become a gatekeeper to opportunity. And in a state that prides itself on education, we can – and must – do better.

That’s why I strongly support the push for Universal FAFSA legislation in Massachusetts. HB1467/SB921 - An Act to Facilitate Student Financial Assistance would require all high school seniors to complete the FAFSA or formally opt out, ensuring that no student misses out on financial aid simply due to lack of access or awareness. This policy doesn’t force students to attend college – it simply ensures the door remains open.

In Louisiana, the first state to implement Universal FAFSA, the completion rate jumped to over 77%, making it one of the highest in the country. Alabama followed suit with its own mandate for the Class of 2022, resulting in a 13.6% increase in FAFSA submissions and an 11.8% increase in completions. These outcomes underscore how a straightforward policy shift—requiring FAFSA completion with an opt-out option—can yield substantial improvements in college access. It’s a small administrative change with life-changing potential, and more states should follow their lead.

Critics worry that this adds one more requirement to students’ plates. But the legislation includes opt-out provisions and builds in support – exactly the kind of scaffolding students need. More importantly, it acknowledges the reality that no one should be denied aid because of a form they didn’t understand, didn’t know about, or didn’t have help completing.

As a current college student who nearly slipped through the cracks, I’ve seen firsthand how completing the FAFSA can be the turning point between giving up and moving forward. It’s more than a form—it’s a signal that someone believes your future is worth investing in. For many students, especially those navigating college decisions without support, this one step can open doors they never imagined possible. We have the data. We have the momentum. What we need now is action. By passing Universal FAFSA legislation, Massachusetts lawmakers can remove a silent but significant barrier, and in doing so, send a powerful message: we believe in you, and we’re committed to making your dreams more than just dreams.