Requirements
Section 1617 of the School Code, as enacted in Act 47 of 2025, applies to students enrolled in public school entities and nonpublic schools. The law defines a "school entity" as a career and technical school (CTC), charter school, cyber charter school, regional charter school, or school district. A "nonpublic school" is a school, other than a public school within the Commonwealth, in which a resident fulfills the compulsory school attendance requirements.
Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, students must file the FAFSA with the U.S. Department of Education or submit the Pennsylvania FAFSA Completion Opt-Out Form to their school before completing high school. Filing the FAFSA allows students to access federal and state financial aid for a variety of postsecondary programs and make informed decisions about affording education and training after high school.
No. A school shall not prevent a student from graduating or penalize a student in any way for failing to file the FAFSA or submit an opt-out form.
Furthermore, opting out of completing the FAFSA now does not prevent a student from completing the FAFSA in the future.
Schools must do the following:
- Provide a copy of the opt-out form to parents, legal guardians, and students; and
- Make reasonable efforts to get a student to file the FAFSA and to provide students and/or parents and guardians with information explaining the purpose of the FAFSA and the benefits available from completing it, if the student does not file one.
Examples of student assistance include, but are not limited to, emails and phone calls, school-sponsored informational and/or completion events, mailings and bulletins, and in-class presentations or instruction on the benefits of filing the FAFSA. Schools are encouraged to consult their solicitors for specific measures of reasonable effort for FAFSA completion and opt-out form submission.
Contact your regional PHEAA Access Partner to learn about student workshops, free guides, resources and professional development to support your local efforts.
No. The law does not require schools to report FAFSA completion or opt-out information to PDE or PHEAA.
Opt-out Process
Yes. To opt out of submitting the FAFSA, the student’s parent or legal guardian must submit the Pennsylvania FAFSA Completion Opt-Out Form to the student’s school. A student who is 18 or older or legally emancipated may submit the opt-out form on their own behalf.
Please be advised that a parent, legal guardian or student is not required to provide personal financial information to the school or indicate a reason for not submitting the FAFSA or opt-out form.
Yes. The law requires schools to provide students, parents and guardians with the Pennsylvania FAFSA Completion Opt-Out Form developed by PDE.
If a FAFSA is not filed or an opt-out form is not submitted on behalf of a student, the school shall exempt the student from the requirements. However, prior to making an exemption, the school must make a reasonable effort to contact the parent or legal guardian of the student and provide the parent, legal guardian, or student with information explaining the purposes of the FAFSA and the benefits available from completing the form.
Students, parents, or guardians may be concerned about filing the FAFSA. PDE is developing sample language for school counselors to address some of the most common misconceptions such as eligibility requirements, ability to pay, who is considered a “parent” or contributor, and the availability of financial aid across multiple state and federal postsecondary programs.
Schools may exempt foreign exchange students and non-U.S. citizens who are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
The law requires Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to provide schools with information indicating which students have completed the FAFSA.
To access this data, schools must enter into a remote access agreement with PHEAA. Instructions for submitting the agreement, along with contact information, are found on the PHEAA website.
Through this agreement, schools will be able to see which students have started and submitted the FAFSA, as well as which students have applied for the PA State Grant system, which requires FAFSA completion to determine eligibility.
Students will be identified by name only. No financial information or other personally-identifiable information will be shared with the school.
Resources
There are many resources available to help school staff and students and their families with the FAFSA completion process.
- The FAFSA Toolkit on the PHEAA Financial Aid Resources for Counselors and Partners website includes a FAFSA checklist, video for students, customizable promotional materials, and more.
- PA FAFSA GO! is a cross-sector network that supports high school graduates and postsecondary students with completing their first FAFSA or their renewal FAFSA each year.
Schools also are encouraged to work with colleges and community-based organizations in their area where available to provide resources and support for their students and families’ FAFSA awareness and/or completion.