As the school year comes to a close and high schoolers plan for their pursuit of higher education, Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders encourage students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-2025 school year. FAFSA is used to determine how much financial aid students can receive to help pay for college. Some state aid programs, such as the Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship and the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant program, require students submit FAFSA.

“We want every Oklahoma student to have the tools they need to graduate and hit the ground running,” said Governor Stitt. “I’m proud that Oklahoma has one of the most affordable higher education systems in the nation, but we want to encourage students to submit their FAFSA forms to make sure every student’s dream becomes reality.”

Despite federal shortcomings in the roll-out of the new FAFSA process, pursuing higher education is attainable and affordable. Oklahoma ranks 8th in the nation for lowest cost of attendance. In fact, the total cost of attendance at Oklahoma colleges and universities averages well below national and regional competition.

“College can be a life-changing opportunity, and FAFSA unlocks pathways to success for countless students seeking higher education,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders. “Oklahoma universities allow people to innovate in a world-class environment, and we want to ensure every single student has a pathway to support their individual development and success. While FAFSA can certainly eliminate the financial burden of college, a degree from an Oklahoma university is priceless.”

While approximately $3.6 billion in federal student aid goes unused, nearly everyone who submits the FAFSA qualifies for some form of student aid. More than 60% of first-time, full-time college students in Oklahoma have no federal student loans when they graduate.

Complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA online at www.FAFSA.gov. More information about the FAFSA process, helpful links, and free FAFSA tools can be found at www.startwithfafsa.org.