Thurgood Marshall College Fund kicks off campaign to aid FAFSA completion
10 Julio 2024 - 2:07PM
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) began a campaign to help
students complete the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) form. The rollout of the Better FAFSA, which aims to
simplify the intricate process of allowing students to apply for
federal student aid such as grants, work-study funds, and loans,
has created unintentional obstacles for students and postsecondary
institutions since its release on Dec. 31. These obstacles have
created negative impacts on the Black collegiate community and its
institutions.
“Students at these institutions, graduating with $25,000 more in
student loan debt than their white peers, are placed in an even
more vulnerable position due to these delays,” Dr. Harry L.
Williams, president and CEO of TMCF, said. “HBCUs are historically
underfunded and these delays add to budget drafting challenges,
potential errors in financial aid awarded to students, and
institutions falling behind schedule with limited time and
resources to catch up.”
As an advocate for historically Black colleges and universities
(HBCUs), predominantly Black institutions (PBIs) and historically
Black community colleges (HBCCs) and their students, TMCF sought
immediate solutions to these issues and pledged to assist its
member schools and students. Made possible through funding from the
ECMC Foundation, TMCF has developed a website, manages a peer-led
call center, employs students from its member schools, and promotes
and advertises FAFSA completion through a national campaign.
The campaign will take place from June 24 to Aug. 31 in an
effort to boost FAFSA completion rates. This multi-faceted approach
will include a targeted ad campaign, a website with completion
information and FAQs, informational webinars and office hours to
provide guidance on the completion process, and the establishment
of a call center with trained peer facilitators, who will connect
directly with incoming and returning students (and their guardians)
who have yet to complete the FAFSA. This initiative will provide
employment for at least 54 students from member schools for 10
weeks and allow institutions additional resources for direct
engagement to boost FAFSA completion.
“These additional efforts are critical, but it’s not enough to
prevent further damage caused by the delayed process. TMCF and HBCU
leaders continue to engage with the U.S. Department of Education to
resolve these issues,” Williams said.
In addition to this campaign, TMCF officials
are speaking out on a national level and urging
government leaders to take steps to safeguard and support HBCUs and
their students during the implementation of the Better FAFSA. Until
all errors are fixed, TMCF takes the stance that the verification
process to ensure student data is accurate should be suspended and
institutions should not be held liable for any errors in awarding
financial aid caused by the process.
For more information about this campaign to aid FAFSA
completion, visit finishfafsa.com,
email FAFSACallCenter@tmcf.org or call (202)
937-2368.
About Thurgood Marshall College FundEstablished in 1987,
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest
organization exclusively representing the Black College Community.
TMCF member schools include the publicly supported Historically
Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black
Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black
colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building
and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic
partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher
education space. The organization is also the source of top
employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good
jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For
more information about TMCF, visit www.tmcf.org.
Clara Ross Stamps
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund
240-931-0696
clara.stamps@tmcf.org