Future college students should not leave financial aid on the table; file FAFSA now

As we move past high school graduations and into summer, those of us who work in higher education join all Long Island families in celebrating academic success and graduations at every level.

We also encourage every family to build on that success. For those finishing high school, that means planning now for your next graduation — from college.

At Suffolk County Community College, we want to remind every family that financial support for college is available, and that it too often goes unused. Both the federal and New York State governments have expanded access and eligibility requirements to more middle-income students across Long Island.

More than a third of our full-time students at Suffolk County CC receive grant or scholarship funds that cover full tuition and, for some, textbooks, fees and supplies as well. College can be free for students and families with financial need.

And for the 2024-2025 academic year, New York has raised both the income threshold for the Tuition Assistance Program and the minimum award amounts, both of which mean increased support to middle-class Long Islanders. The state has also increased support to part-time and working students.

But accessing this support requires filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, and if there were ever a federal initiative in need of a restart, this is it. Media coverage of the beleaguered rollout of the “Better FAFSA” application for federal financial aid has pointed out that the system was originally riddled with technical problems.

But most of the glitches have now been rectified. Suffolk County Community College is processing thousands of aid packages, and students across Long Island are now receiving their award letters. The same thing is happening at schools across the region and the state.

The FAFSA form itself has been simplified and most grant programs have been expanded. As noted by Newsday, New Yorkers left $226 million in Pell grants unclaimed in 2023. Bringing these dollars to our New York families and putting them to use for 2024-2025 needs to be our mutual goal.

Can families still apply? Absolutely. Suffolk and many other sister colleges will be processing financial aid awards throughout the summer. Suffolk has been offering FAFSA information sessions for many weeks, where our financial aid staff members walk students and parents through the application process, answer questions, and help families troubleshoot any barriers.

At the same time, ongoing financial support from Northwell Health and the Knapp Swezey Foundation (among many others) makes college essentially free for dozens of students with needs-based scholarships, while SUNY is sponsoring more than 100 additional students at Suffolk through the Advancing Success in Associate Pathways program, providing students with the financial and support services so many students need to meet their educational goals.

College has the power to change lives, putting every young person on a pathway to financial and personal success, and every midcareer worker on a pathway to advancement. But help paying for these opportunities often begins with financial aid.

No Long Island family should miss a chance to plan for their next graduation party. Every future student should complete the FAFSA now.

This guest essay reflects the views of Edward T. Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College.