10,000 Degrees Kicks Off Free Virtual Financial Aid Completion Initiative To Help More Students Submit FAFSA And CADAA; Prepares For 2025-2026 FAFSA Form Launch
San Rafael, Calif. (August 27, 2024) –10,000 Degrees, an organization dedicated to unlocking student success at scale by giving more students equitable opportunities for a quality college education and career success, announced that it has extended its new financial aid completion community support initiative to assist all college-bound students. Financial aid application support has previously only been offered to students attending 10,000 Degrees partner schools during the school year.
This year, the delayed launch of the Better FAFSA (or FAFSA Simplification Act) has created challenges for thousands of students across the nation in both determining and accessing financial resources for college. As of April, the graduating high school class of 2024 has a 35% completion rate nationally, down 25% compared to the previous academic year.
To address this time-sensitive issue, an anonymous funder has created a $1 million emergency fund to support the 10 largest college access organizations that work directly with high school seniors, and to further its long-standing commitment to help talented, low-to moderate-income students pursue post-secondary educational opportunities. 10,000 Degrees is proud to be a part of this initiative to help address a critical need for students most in-need.
In addition, 10,000 Degrees has received funding from the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC), a nonprofit focused on student success through college access and financial literacy programs.
With this funding, 10,000 Degrees is launching an initiative to expand its virtual financial aid application assistance services to all Bay Area students. 10,000 Degrees will provide free support through a series of virtual support sessions for all college-bound students seeking assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). The free FAFSA and CADAA support sessions, led by expert advisors, will be held every Thursday through September 12, 2024.
“Last year’s FAFSA rollout created widespread confusion and frustration for many students, even more so among students coming from families with mixed immigration status. Recognizing the urgent and continued need for support, 10,000 Degrees is stepping up by providing resources to help more students navigate the complexities of the new FAFSA system,” said Jose Jimenez, Director of College Access, San Francisco & Silicon Valley. “The launch of our new FAFSA and CADAA assistance program is allowing us to add to the work that we’re currently doing with our own students and reach even more students in need of help. Our increased support services and programs will be essential as we prepare students for the new school year and the upcoming launch of the 2025-26 FAFSA application.”
In anticipation of the U.S. Department of Education’s scheduled 2025-26 FAFSA form launch on December 1, 2024, 10,000 Degrees is working with partner high schools, colleges and universities throughout the Bay Area, and other community organizations to expand programs and services designed to address student needs. They’re also determining what additional training they can provide their staff and partner schools to aid in increasing FAFSA and CADAA completion rates.