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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has become a ubiquitous part of the college-going process. In 2017, 17 million students completed the form, receiving more than $122 billion in federal student aid. While the FAFSA provides access to college financing for millions, it often comes at a price, representing one of the many hurdles students must overcome before they even step foot in a college classroom.
This working paper from the Center for American Progress outlines why students should only have to fill out the FAFSA once. Low-income students rarely experience changes in their aid eligibility, the paper states. A one-time FAFSA could therefore guarantee aid and remove a barrier to completion.