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FAFSA Student Support Strategy

The 2025-26 FAFSA became available to all students on November 21 and is on track to enable even more students to access federal financial aid and enroll in higher education. It is critical that our partners in the field are resourced to ensure that students fully benefit from the opportunity provided by the simplified FAFSA.

The goal of the Student Support Strategy is to increase the number of students who complete a 2025-26 FAFSA form, particularly first-time and Pell-eligible students during this second year of transition to the improved FAFSA form and system.

ECMC will support these activities by providing funds to organizations with experience in FAFSA completion and related activities.

High-Level Scope

ECMC will use federal fund resources to increase support for FAFSA submission through the following activities:

  • Expanding the availability of advisors, counselors and coaches to support students and contributors through the FAFSA application process, including extended hours during evenings, weekends and the summer session.
  • Hosting FAFSA submission clinics, via partnerships with schools and districts.
  • Providing transportation support to those participating in FAFSA submission clinics.
  • Expanded data-sharing intended to increase the submission of the 2025-26 and/or 2026-27 FAFSA form, particularly via state data portal partnerships with high schools and districts.
  • Hosting recognition programs to incentivize cities and school districts to meet numeric targets for FAFSA submission, such as exceeding last year’s rate.
  • Conducting outreach to students and families via phone calls, social media, text messages emails, paid advertising campaigns and other means.
  • Offering technical assistance to support priority populations.
  • Designing and implementing strategies for parents to help them complete their portion of the form via text, phone calls and videoconferences, in multiple languages, as needed.

Request Funds to Provide FAFSA Completion Services

To submit your proposal, click here and fill out the form.

Given the extensive nature of the form, we recommend reviewing this courtesy copy before you begin. Please note that the courtesy copy may not be submitted in addition to or in lieu of the electronic form submission above.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis in order to support students in this shortened FAFSA cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the deadline to apply for funds?

A: Given the urgent nature of this work, we recommend submitting the application form as soon as possible. No deadline has been established, but that may change as the program evolves.

Q: What is the time period that this project covers?

A: The work will take place between January 15, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Participating organizations are expected to engage in FAFSA completion activities through the entire length of the award period.

Q: Who should apply?

A: Eligible funding recipients:

  • Public high schools and K-12 school districts;
  • State, county and/or city government agencies that work to increase FAFSA completion and postsecondary education and training;
  • National nonprofit organizations that work to increase access to higher education and/or economic opportunity for students;
  • State or local affiliates of national nonprofit organizations that work to increase access to higher education and economic opportunity for students;
  • Nonprofit and public higher education institutions and systems of higher education that serve historically excluded students and also work to promote broad access with high school seniors;
  • For-profit entities, provided that the use of funds is restricted to the charitable purposes of the award; and
  • Other local and state community-based organizations that have deep ties with students and families and the capacity to strategically partner to expand reach of those with demonstrated expertise with financial aid counseling and support.

Q: Will my organization receive all the approved funds upfront?

A: No. It is anticipated that the FAFSA Student Support Strategy will disburse funding to accepted applicants at two points during the award period. The first disbursement will be after application approval, and the second disbursement would occur after an approval of an interim report submitted at a midway point in the relevant time period.