Resources for School Counselors to Support FAFSA Completion

• Troubleshooting: Why Are Some Student FAFSA Submissions Not Showing in the FAFSA Completion Reports?
• FAFSA Challenge "Buddy List" - partner organizations for districts and schools
• Students and families are invited to attend free virtual and in-person FAFSA workshops at FAFSAct.org

Connecticut FAFSA Waiver

Since 2019, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has been encouraging high schools to support completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so our graduates are better positioned for postsecondary success. These efforts include student-level data sharing, a public dashboard, a FAFSA challenge grant, and FAFSA training sessions. Pursuant to sections 9 and 10 of Public Act 24-45, starting with the high school graduating class of 2027, school districts shall not permit a student to graduate from high school unless the student has completed the FAFSA, other institutional financial aid application for those without legal immigration status, or a waiver developed by the CSDE. This waiver can be completed by the parent/guardian or the student (if 18 or older or an emancipated minor). On and after March 15, a principal, school counselor, teacher or other certified educator may complete such waiver on behalf of any student if they affirm that they have made a good faith effort to contact the parent/guardian or student on at least three (3) occasions about completing the FAFSA or other institutional aid form. Regardless of this graduation requirement, CSDE’s focus remains on increasing FAFSA completion rates.

The waiver is available in additional languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• Haitian Creole
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Spanish

US Department of Education Federal Student Aid Resources

• Federal Student Aid Estimator -- supplies an estimate of the 2025-26 Student Aid Index (SAI) and federal Pell Grant eligibility calculation.
• “Who’s the Parent on the FAFSA Form?” wizard -- a new, stand-alone tool to help students and families determine who will need to provide contributor information on the 2025-26 FAFSA form before starting the application.
• “Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account” page -- a resource that explains everything families and partners need to know about creating a StudentAid.gov account.
• Pro Tips for Completing the FAFSA Form -- updated information for preparing to complete and submit the FAFSA form.
• Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel: FAFSA videos -- videos to help students and families understand the importance of the FAFSA form, who is a FAFSA contributor, and what happens after submitting the form.

CSDE-District FAFSA Data Sharing Agreement

The CSDE is partnering with the Connecticut Office of Higher Education (OHE) to provide FAFSA completion data at a student-level to all districts through EdSight Secure. In order to receive these FAFSA data, an authorized signatory for the district must execute the attached data sharing agreement amendment and return it to the CSDE. Download a copy of the original agreement.