FC/OT: Texas becomes second state to make FAFSA mandatory...

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Say there is a strong correlation between filling out this form and college enrollment. I guess Louisiana was the first state to do this and saw college enrollment jump 25%*. Any downsides here?

Completing the form is a leading indicator of college enrollment. And there’s ample evidence that more financial aid is associated with outcomes like college completion. Actually achieving big gains in FAFSA completion, though, requires significant investment and outreach by schools and state officials.

During the past academic year, Louisiana saw FAFSA completions by high school students climb by more than 25 percent. College access groups say high school seniors leave millions of aid dollars on the table each year by not completing the form -- often because it’s too difficult or they don’t believe they’ll qualify for aid.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/07/10/texas-becomes-second-state-require-fafsa-completion

EDIT: Applications jumped 25%, not enrollment.

 

[Art]

Say there is a strong correlation between filling out this form and college enrollment. I guess Louisiana was the first state to do this and saw college enrollment jump 25%. Any downsides here?

Completing the form is a leading indicator of college enrollment. And there’s ample evidence that more financial aid is associated with outcomes like college completion. Actually achieving big gains in FAFSA completion, though, requires significant investment and outreach by schools and state officials.

During the past academic year, Louisiana saw FAFSA completions by high school students climb by more than 25 percent. College access groups say high school seniors leave millions of aid dollars on the table each year by not completing the form -- often because it’s too difficult or they don’t believe they’ll qualify for aid.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/07/10/texas-becomes-second-state-require-fafsa-completion

Believe you misread the article. Louisiana saw a 25% increase in the number of completed FAFSAs, not students enrolling in college.

Still not a bad idea.

 

[PS4814]

Yea let’s send even more folks to college when the job market doesn’t support the grads we’re producing now. Plus it seems like one hell’uva intrusion into a family’s personal right to share their finances with the feds. The conspiracy theorist in me says this is another way for the feds to find illegal immigrants. And the realist in me says that school counselors are in no way ready to take on the workload, or knowledge base, to assist all students and their families in completing the FAFSA.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Believe you misread the article. Louisiana saw a 25% increase in the number of completed FAFSAs, not students enrolling in college.

Still not a bad idea.

Ah - yeah, sorry.

 

[LMTLION]

We push too many kids into 4 year schools earning degrees in nonsense when a significant number of these kids should be going into the high demand trades or the healthcare fields such as lpn or rn. I run a large healthcare organization in eastern PA... a 22 year old new rn can come out of school making over $30/hr no problem and work their way into healthcare management in a relatively short period of time getting close to 100k at young age. Yet, there is extreme shortage in this field. I am not sure what many young people in their 20s are doing, because many of them are not working by their own choice.

 

[Waste Management Consultant]

Midnighter, the new sig picture is a keeper.

Another example is the power companies having a shortage of linemen and most of them are nearing retirement. 3 years as an apprentice with some company or climbing school for 18 months. 18-22 year olds earning 40k as an apprentice lineman, then get your “card” and some of these guys can make 100k + at 23/24 years old. A good friend is a foreman, of course he says the problem is finding someone who will show up regularly and/or pass drug tests. There are certainly great career and earnings potential out there without over priced college degrees.

 

[heckmans]

Say there is a strong correlation between filling out this form and college enrollment. I guess Louisiana was the first state to do this and saw college enrollment jump 25%*. Any downsides here?

Completing the form is a leading indicator of college enrollment. And there’s ample evidence that more financial aid is associated with outcomes like college completion. Actually achieving big gains in FAFSA completion, though, requires significant investment and outreach by schools and state officials.

During the past academic year, Louisiana saw FAFSA completions by high school students climb by more than 25 percent. College access groups say high school seniors leave millions of aid dollars on the table each year by not completing the form -- often because it’s too difficult or they don’t believe they’ll qualify for aid.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/07/10/texas-becomes-second-state-require-fafsa-completion

EDIT: Applications jumped 25%, not enrollment.

When the words government and mandatory are used together, I'm generally against it.
On this specific topic, I think we've demonstrated that telling kids they need to go to college is a lie that has hurt millions of graduates and dropouts alike. Let's just stop this now.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Anything mandatory is typically a bad idea. In this case, why have young people waste time and money for college stuff (even if only applying) if they don’t know what they are going to do in their adult lives (career).

 

[jim cummings]

Midnighter, the new sig picture is a keeper.

Another example is the power companies having a shortage of linemen and most of them are nearing retirement. 3 years as an apprentice with some company or climbing school for 18 months. 18-22 year olds earning 40k as an apprentice lineman, then get your “card” and some of these guys can make 100k + at 23/24 years old. A good friend is a foreman, of course he says the problem is finding someone who will show up regularly and/or pass drug tests. There are certainly great career and earnings potential out there without over priced college degrees.

This

 

[Art]

Anything mandatory is typically a bad idea. In this case, why have young people waste time and money for college stuff (even if only applying) if they don’t know what they are going to do in their adult lives (career).

There is no cost to file the FAFSA. Might take a couple of hours to do the first time. After that, maybe 30 minutes.

 

[joeparules]

I filled out the FAFSA for both kids once before entering college because they had school counselors telling them they had to. I am by no means rich, but knew the answer both times before receiving them ... we can offer you loans. Never filled it out for years two through four.

 

[BobPSU92]

Please take this opportunity to remember that the world needs ditch-diggers, too.

 

[Obliviax]

Midnighter, the new sig picture is a keeper.

Another example is the power companies having a shortage of linemen and most of them are nearing retirement. 3 years as an apprentice with some company or climbing school for 18 months. 18-22 year olds earning 40k as an apprentice lineman, then get your “card” and some of these guys can make 100k + at 23/24 years old. A good friend is a foreman, of course he says the problem is finding someone who will show up regularly and/or pass drug tests. There are certainly great career and earnings potential out there without over priced college degrees.

The lineman of the future will be unemployed elementary school teacher, art, music and CSI majors

 

[BobPSU92]

The lineman of the future will be unemployed elementary school teacher, art, music and CSI majors

Don’t forget insurance salesmen.

 

[Ranger Dan]

There is no cost to file the FAFSA. Might take a couple of hours to do the first time. After that, maybe 30 minutes.

But it programs kids to want to go to college by default. Many of them should learn trades...

 

[NewEra 2014]

We made the mistake of filing a FAFSA application when our daughter was looking at colleges. If you don't think you are going to qualify for any need-based aid because you make a good income, don't do it.

 

[Art]

But it programs kids to want to go to college by default. Many of them should learn trades...

Really? And you know this how?

Even though kids are supposed to fill out the FAFSA with their own financial data, more often than not parents do both parts. And if a kids had to fill out a CSS, most of them would say fvck going to college.

 

[Art]

We made the mistake of filing a FAFSA application when our daughter was looking at colleges. If you don't think you are going to qualify for any need-based aid because you make a good income, don't do it.

Uh, no. We knew well in advance that we wouldn't qualify for need-based aid, but we filled out the FAFSA (and CSS) when our oldest applied to college. Result was as predicted. Didn't file the following year.

Did the same when our middle one applied. Same result, and didn't file for the following two years.

When the youngest applied, filed a FAFSA with the same result. Shortly after he made his school choice, he got a letter notifying him of two merit-based grants. Not huge amounts, but a nice piece of change nevertheless.

The following year I wondered whether to do the FAFSA again. Since his awards weren't need based, I figured no, but called the school to make sure. The clerk in the financial aid office said "yes," but when I explained my logic he said he'd check (understand that a lot of people in these offices are students doing work-study). Came back and told me that I was right, and didn't need to re-file. But he went on to tell me that for incoming students the FAFSA is what triggered the review of scholarship eligibility, regardless of whether for need or merit. Thus, if we hadn't filed the year before, no dough.....for four years.

So if $omeone can't take a couple of hour$ from their bu$y $chedule, their deci$ion.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Really? And you know this how?

Even though kids are supposed to fill out the FAFSA with their own financial data, more often than not parents do both parts. And if a kids had to fill out a CSS, most of them would say fvck going to college.

I’m not pretending to be an expert on the FAFSA form, as I now little about it. My point is that making everyone fill it out is implying that this is a default plan A. Why not have every kid take the ASVAB?

 

[NewEra 2014]

Uh, no. We knew well in advance that we wouldn't qualify for need-based aid, but we filled out the FAFSA (and CSS) when our oldest applied to college. Result was as predicted. Didn't file the following year.

Did the same when our middle one applied. Same result, and didn't file for the following two years.

When the youngest applied, filed a FAFSA with the same result. Shortly after he made his school choice, he got a letter notifying him of two merit-based grants. Not huge amounts, but a nice piece of change nevertheless.

The following year I wondered whether to do the FAFSA again. Since his awards weren't need based, I figured no, but called the school to make sure. The clerk in the financial aid office said "yes," but when I explained my logic he said he'd check (understand that a lot of people in these offices are students doing work-study). Came back and told me that I was right, and didn't need to re-file. But he went on to tell me that for incoming students the FAFSA is what triggered the review of scholarship eligibility, regardless of whether for need or merit. Thus, if we hadn't filed the year before, no dough.....for four years.

So if $omeone can't take a couple of hour$ from their bu$y $chedule, their deci$ion.

Our experiences weren't that dissimilar, Art. Our daughter got accepted to college #1 and obtained a 35% merit-based break in tuition without a FAFSA application. She also applied to a second college where her mother went to school, and her grandfather was on the faculty for 30+ years. They also wanted her to play lacrosse at college #2 (a Division III school). The sticker price on tuition at college #2 was outrageous, so we inquired about a tuition break. The response was that they give tuition breaks all the time for merit, but we needed to fill out the FAFSA form. As in your case, we were told that the FAFSA form triggered review of scholarship eligibility.

College #2 gave us $0. Our daughter went to college #1 and got the tuition break for 4 years. So I guess it depends on the college. I was left with the impression that filling out the FAFSA form for college #2 disqualified us from receiving aid of any kind.

 

[Lyons212]

When the words government and mandatory are used together, I'm generally against it.
On this specific topic, I think we've demonstrated that telling kids they need to go to college is a lie that has hurt millions of graduates and dropouts alike. Let's just stop this now.

More student loan suckers, keep that college ed bubble going!

 

[Lyons212]

Our experiences weren't that dissimilar, Art. Our daughter got accepted to college #1 and obtained a 35% merit-based break in tuition without a FAFSA application. She also applied to a second college where her mother went to school, and her grandfather was on the faculty for 30+ years. They also wanted her to play lacrosse at college #2 (a Division III school). The sticker price on tuition at college #2 was outrageous, so we inquired about a tuition break. The response was that they give tuition breaks all the time for merit, but we needed to fill out the FAFSA form. As in your case, we were told that the FAFSA form triggered review of scholarship eligibility.

College #2 gave us $0. Our daughter went to college #1 and got the tuition break for 4 years. So I guess it depends on the college. I was left with the impression that filling out the FAFSA form for college #2 disqualified us from receiving aid of any kind.

Many colleges require competing the FAFSA.

 

[PS4814]

So if $omeone can't take a couple of hour$ from their bu$y $chedule, their deci$ion.

Right, their decision, shouldn’t be mandatory or forced by the gov’t.

 

[Art]

I’m not pretending to be an expert on the FAFSA form, as I now little about it. My point is that making everyone fill it out is implying that this is a default plan A. Why not have every kid take the ASVAB?

Always enjoy seeing people write about something of which they are clueless and then proclaim ignorance when challenged.

Try reading and comprehending the article. There is no implied "default plan A." Parents can get automatic waivers (just estimating that in 90% or more of the case, no parent FAFSA, no completed FAFSA). Students over the age of 18 can opt out on their own or get waivers.

Finally, FAFSA is not available until October 1 of a student's senior year. I'd venture to guess that by that time most kids have decided whether their applying to college or not. And even if they haven't, I can't imagine doing a FAFSA would cause them to be more favorably disposed.

 

[Art]

Right, their decision, shouldn’t be mandatory or forced by the gov’t.

Ordinarily, I'd agree. But the requirement is harmless and, as the article states, people could be leaving money on the table if they don't file.

 

[Marylovesthelions]

Quit the bad government investments. Stop guaranteeing student loans for liberal arts, English and most degrees in snooty non public universities. Sine alums from these schools would have to host alumni chapter meetings in in daddy’s basement.
Forgive student loans to successful grades of teachers colleges, nursing schools an trade schools.

 

[tboyer]

What's interesting to me is that it's Louisiana and Texas, which aren't exactly beacons of support for education. If they want more kids to go to college, they could prepare more kids for college.

But yeah, I agree four year college is way overrated. It's not necessary for 60% of the jobs. Something's amiss when employers are demanding a BA for low level clerical or call center work that pays $11 an hour. Or requiring an MBA for mid-level management and analysis jobs that can be totally done by someone with a BS.

The two year associate degree is what the government should be promoting. Most entry level business jobs -- sales, support, low-level management -- would be more than adequately served by an associate's degree in marketing or finance. It would be nice if Democrats were talking about ways to actually help people and help the economy instead of just pandering to the millennial left. Of course the other side isn't even trying and couldn't care less.

 

[Agoodnap]

FAFSA awards can be used for most post high school educational opportunities including: Trade Schools, Apprenticeships, Certificate programs, 2-year Associate Degrees, etc.

So, even if the kid wants to go into the trades they'll need some money for training. Someone earlier mentioned that Power Companies need Linemen apprentices so I looked at those currently advertising. It turns out that the Linemen Apprentices need to have a CDL as a requirement. Makes sense, as Linemen need to drive big commercial vehicles around. I didn't see any of the jobs listed offer to help applicants get their CDL.

 

[katchthis]

Midnighter, the new sig picture is a keeper.

Another example is the power companies having a shortage of linemen and most of them are nearing retirement. 3 years as an apprentice with some company or climbing school for 18 months. 18-22 year olds earning 40k as an apprentice lineman, then get your “card” and some of these guys can make 100k + at 23/24 years old. A good friend is a foreman, of course he says the problem is finding someone who will show up regularly and/or pass drug tests. There are certainly great career and earnings potential out there without over priced college degrees.

I have a young friend who built from the ground up a Waste management company, and sold it for a very nice profit. He recently purchased another Waste hauler. They have done away with drug testing as they couldn't hire anyone. They now only do drug testing for cause. They have had no increase in risk management/ injuries. Crazy world out there.

 

[demlion]

FAFSA awards can be used for most post high school educational opportunities including: Trade Schools, Apprenticeships, Certificate programs, 2-year Associate Degrees, etc.

So, even if the kid wants to go into the trades they'll need some money for training. Someone earlier mentioned that Power Companies need Linemen apprentices so I looked at those currently advertising. It turns out that the Linemen Apprentices need to have a CDL as a requirement. Makes sense, as Linemen need to drive big commercial vehicles around. I didn't see any of the jobs listed offer to help applicants get their CDL.

Read every post in this thread just waiting to see SOMEONE point this out so I would not have to.

 

[Waste Management Consultant]

I have a young friend who built from the ground up a Waste management company, and sold it for a very nice profit. He recently purchased another Waste hauler. They have done away with drug testing as they couldn't hire anyone. They now only do drug testing for cause. They have had no increase in risk management/ injuries. Crazy world out there.

Interesting and Absurdly crazy, I wonder what the liability for the company is IF an employee under the influence of (insert drug of choice) hurts /injures/kills someone while on the clock?

My guess is that most employers aren’t drug screening because they care about your health.

 

[katchthis]

Interesting and Absurdly crazy, I wonder what the liability for the company is IF an employee under the influence of (insert drug of choice) hurts /injures/kills someone while on the clock?

My guess is that most employers aren’t drug screening because they care about your health.

That's what the talk was, but no additional problems. Too many of the good employees were weekend warriors , but solid during the week at work. About ten years ago my bro was a HR manager for UPS. Right away 33% were scratched just on positive drug tests. And the prospective employees knew it was coming. Can't imagine how high of a % of the general pop does drugs now, but it has to be pretty darn "high".

 

[Waste Management Consultant]

Wow, 33% is crazy. I would never have thought 1/3 of people applying for a job would be on drugs unless it was an interview for being a prostitute or drug dealer.

 

[lgpsu]

Say there is a strong correlation between filling out this form and college enrollment. I guess Louisiana was the first state to do this and saw college enrollment jump 25%*. Any downsides here?

Completing the form is a leading indicator of college enrollment. And there’s ample evidence that more financial aid is associated with outcomes like college completion. Actually achieving big gains in FAFSA completion, though, requires significant investment and outreach by schools and state officials.

During the past academic year, Louisiana saw FAFSA completions by high school students climb by more than 25 percent. College access groups say high school seniors leave millions of aid dollars on the table each year by not completing the form -- often because it’s too difficult or they don’t believe they’ll qualify for aid.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/07/10/texas-becomes-second-state-require-fafsa-completion

EDIT: Applications jumped 25%, not enrollment.

FAFSA IS A JOKE. JUST ANOTHER GOVERNENT ENTITLEMENT TO GIVE AWAY......SAVED, RETIRED, AND NOW WE GET ZERO.....TOTALLY ****ING BROKEN SYSTEM. WHEN MY DAUGHTER WORKED THIS SUMMER, SHE FIGURED.IT.OUT......HER TAXES.PAY FOR.OTHERS

 

[canuckhal]

On a PSU football board, people are actually arguing that pursuing higher education is bad. Interesting times. I've been enlightened to learn:

1) Some football fans must not have attended PSU or earned a degree.
2) Some only view the world in strict economic terms.
3) Some have biases (I could say myths) about higher education and particular degrees.
4) Some believe deeply in conspiracy theories.

I'm also learning that apparently the US economy is doing much worse than the stats say.

 

[Art]

FAFSA IS A JOKE. JUST ANOTHER GOVERNENT ENTITLEMENT TO GIVE AWAY......SAVED, RETIRED, AND NOW WE GET ZERO.....TOTALLY ****ING BROKEN SYSTEM. WHEN MY DAUGHTER WORKED THIS SUMMER, SHE FIGURED.IT.OUT......HER TAXES.PAY FOR.OTHERS

Little Leo is back!!! Missed you, you fvcking stupid piece of shit.

 

[lgpsu]

Little Leo is back!!! Missed you, you fvcking stupid piece of shit.

Internet tough guy ART.....hahaha

 

[Art]

Internet tough guy ART.....hahaha

All world turd, Leo. So your daughter figured it out and didn't get any. Figures. Stupid and ugly just like the rest of the family.

 

[lgpsu]

All world turd, Leo. So your daughter figured it out and didn't get any. Figures. Stupid and ugly just like the rest of the family.

Ur quite the idiot to RIP on a kid. Wish I knew who you are.....guaranteed you would t say anything yo my face. And since ce you said something, what didnt my daughter get? You have no idea you clueless key board heart hero....enough said....go crawl back under your rock you loser

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Little Leo is back!!! Missed you, you fvcking stupid piece of shit.

Internet tough guy ART.....hahaha

All world turd, Leo. So your daughter figured it out and didn't get any. Figures. Stupid and ugly just like the rest of the family.

Ur quite the idiot to RIP on a kid. Wish I knew who you are.....guaranteed you would t say anything yo my face. And since ce you said something, what didnt my daughter get? You have no idea you clueless key board heart hero....enough said....go crawl back under your rock you loser