General Discussion

Maryland, and even some rube red states. Apparently, 12 states have similar laws.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertfarrington/2024/11/29/12-states-now-require-fafsa-for-high-school-graduation-what-to-know/
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — There’s a new law in Oklahoma that requires high school graduates at public high schools to submit a free FAFSA application and learn about federal funding for college. While there is an option to opt out, students must file one or the other before graduating.

“I could see how hard students in Oklahoma were working to get qualified to go to college and to get accepted to college. But a lot of times their families didn’t know how to pay for it,” said Senator Mary Boren (D-Norman). The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education explains each school district will have a school employee in charge of collecting information regarding student compliance before graduation.

“I could also see that a lot of families just didn’t know how to navigate the financing of it. And they weren’t aware that how important the FAFSA was to opening up those doors of funding for college,” said Senator Boren.

While it is a requirement to graduate, there’s still an option if you don’t want to apply with specific guidelines as to who can fill out the form.

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How OK graduates can skip the FAFSA

The law, which was adopted in 2023, includes several ways for seniors to graduate without submitting a FAFSA form:
--The student's parent or legal guardian can sign a form to opt-out participation in the requirement.
--An 18-year-old student can sign the opt-out form themselves.
--A school counselor can authorize a student's graduation without submitting a FAFSA.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/education/2024/11/15/oklahoma-fafsa-rule-for-graduation-what-to-know/76297457007/