Lawmakers Applaud Significant Rise in FAFSA Completion Following Passage of New Law

FAFSA Graduation Requirement Pushes Oklahoma Higher in National Rankings

OKLAHOMA CITY – State lawmakers who championed Oklahoma’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) graduation requirement are celebrating new data that reveals a sharp increase in student completion of forms that help families unlock federal financial aid.

Data from the National College Attainment Network show that as of June 30, Oklahoma led the nation with a 49.4% year-over-year increase in completion of the FAFSA after Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, passed universal FAFSA legislation in 2023. This marked the largest jump in FAFSA completion of any state, propelling Oklahoma from near the bottom in national rankings to the latest ranking of 29th in the nation.

“These numbers speak for themselves and prove that Oklahoma’s FAFSA graduation requirement is already delivering results,” Senator Rader said. “Higher education is key to expanding economic opportunity, giving students a chance to succeed after high school and building a skilled workforce. More families completing the FAFSA means more students can afford college, which helps put them on a path to a bright future.”

Rader and Moore worked closely with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to author Senate Bill 93, which requires high school seniors to complete the FAFSA to graduate. The law also directs the State Department of Education to provide clear information about the FAFSA process and its benefits while still allowing exemptions for parents, students and school counselors who wish to opt out. The new requirement started with the class of 2025.

“Sen. Rader and Rep. Moore recognize the value of FAFSA completion for Oklahoma families,” said Chancellor Sean Burrage. “Completing the FAFSA opens the door for students to access numerous state and federal scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. We will continue our efforts to encourage high school seniors and current college students to complete the new FAFSA as soon as it becomes available each year, as some types of financial aid are awarded to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis.”

NCAN estimates that 28,245 Oklahoma high school seniors completed the FAFSA through Sept. 19 of this year. According to the nonprofit, roughly 54.9% of Oklahoma’s graduating class completed the FAFSA, compared to an estimated 59.8% of high school seniors nationally.

"I cannot stress enough the importance of higher education in helping prepare young people to enjoy the very best future possible," Representative Moore said. "College degrees or CareerTech certifications are proven to result in higher wages and better jobs, and to significantly increase success in lasting employment. These results lead to better quality of life, which in turn results in stronger families, healthier communities and a better state economy, which benefits us all. The goal of this legislation was to raise awareness for students and their families of any free student aid available to help them pursue a higher education degree or certificate. I'm glad to see this is working."

The State Regents are still determining how the significant increase in FAFSA submissions could affect the amount of federal financial aid awarded to Oklahoma students.

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For more information, contact Sen. Dave Rader at (405) 521-5620 or Dave.Rader@oksenate.gov or Rep. Anthony Moore at (405) 557-7325 or Anthony.Moore@okhouse.gov