5146- Policy and Administrative Regulations to Improve Completion Rates of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Newtown Board of Education (the “Board”) understands that completion of the  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”) is an important step in the path to  postsecondary education and is associated with higher rates of college enrollment. The Board  is committed to improving the completion rates of the FAFSA for students enrolled in the  Newtown Public Schools (the “District”). 

Program to Improve FAFSA Completion Rates  

In order to improve the completion rates of the FAFSA by students enrolled in grade  twelve in the District and students enrolled in the District’s adult education program, the  District shall develop a systematic program through which students are educated about the  purpose and content of the FAFSA, encouraged to complete the FAFSA, and assisted in the  completion of the FAFSA, as may be necessary and appropriate. The Board directs the  Superintendent or designee to develop administrative regulations in furtherance of this policy.  The Board further directs the Superintendent or designee to conduct periodic assessments of  such regulations, at least annually, to determine the effectiveness of such regulations in  improving completion rates of the FAFSA. 

FAFSA Graduation Requirements  

Students graduating in 2027 and beyond are required to have satisfied one of the  following prior to graduation: 

(1) completed a FAFSA; 

(2) for students without legal immigration status, completed and submitted to a public  institution of higher education an application for institutional financial aid; or  (3) completed a waiver of completion of the FAFSA and/or financial aid application, as  applicable, on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Education, signed by the  student’s parent or guardian or signed by the student if the student is eighteen or older. 

On and after March 15 of each school year, a principal, school counselor, teacher, or  other certified educator may complete the waiver on behalf of any student who has not satisfied  the above requirements if such principal, school counselor, teacher, or other certified educator  affirms that they have made a good faith effort to contact the parent/guardian or student about  completion of such applications. 

Confidentiality of FAFSA  

Any information contained in a FAFSA held by the Board shall not be a public record  for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act and thus shall not be subject to disclosure  under the provisions of section 1-210 of the Connecticut General Statutes. 

Reporting of FAFSA Completion Rates  

Each year, the Superintendent or designee will report to the Board the FAFSA  completion rate for each high school in the District and for the District’s adult education  program. 

Gifts, Grants and Donations to Implement Policy  

The Board may accept gifts, grants and donations, including in-kind donations, to  implement the provisions of this policy. 

Legal References: 

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10a-11i 

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-223m 

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221a 

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221z 

Public Act No. 24-45, “An Act Concerning Education Mandate Relief, School Discipline, and  Disconnected Youth” 

Adopted: December 3, 2024 NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Revised: Newtown, Connecticut

In order to improve the completion rates of the Free Application for Federal Student  Aid (“FAFSA”) by students enrolled in the Newtown Public Schools (the “District”) and  students enrolled in the District’s adult education program, the District will:

• Develop a FAFSA Task Force to identify challenges, successes, and next steps in  improving the completion rates of the FAFSA among students in grade twelve and  students enrolled in the District’s adult education program. 
• Track data from such students regarding FAFSA completion, including date of  completion. 
• Identify FAFSA coaches who will be assigned a caseload of students to assist students in  completing the FAFSA and monitor their completion rates 
• Provide incentives to students who have completed the FAFSA, which may include but  are not limited to, spirit days and giveaways, if funding permits. 
• Conduct annual presentations to students about the purpose and importance of the FAFSA  and the District’s resources available to help students in completing the FAFSA. 
• Provide professional development to identified District staff regarding the FAFSA and  best practices for supporting students in completing the FAFSA. 

Legal References: 

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221a 

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-221z 

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-223m 

Public Act No. 24-45, “An Act Concerning Education Mandate Relief, School Discipline, and  Disconnected Youth”   

Administrative Regulations Approved: December 3, 2024