Press Releases

Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Ranking Member of the Higher Education Subcommittee, demanded a solution from the Department of Education for students across America seeking financial aid. As the Ranking Member on the Committee on Higher Education, Congresswoman Wilson is highly aware of the negative impacts that the new, defunct FAFSA questionnaire is having on students across the nation, particularly on those of diverse backgrounds.

“For years, the Pell Grants have helped our want-to-be-somebody students achieve the promise of higher education. This is why, in 2020, Democrats and Republicans in Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act, which aimed to streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) form and expand student aid eligibility, especially for those who usually would not be able to afford to go to college,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “Sadly, the hold-ups with this law raise questions about whether going to college in the fall is even doable for those who can't foot the bill.”

In 2023, $353 million of federal aid Pell Grant dollars were left on the table in Florida. As of March 22, in Florida, federal student aid applications are down 33% from last year.

Students and parents were promised an easier process to apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act. However, after several delays and mistakes on the form from the Department of Education, completions of the form are drastically lower than they have been.

“According to the National College Attainment Network, only 32.3 percent of students from low-income high schools completed the FAFSA form, a 32.9 percent decrease from the previous year. And only 32.2 percent of students in high-minority high schools have completed the form, a 33.3 percent decrease from the previous year.

Congresswoman Wilson and the Education & Workforce Committee Democrats are committed to working with the Department of Education to get students their funding. “While I agree that holding the Department accountable and investigating its mishandling is crucial, our immediate priority must be ensuring students and their families have the necessary resources to make informed decisions about their future,” said Congresswoman Wilson.

Full Opening Statement Remarks:

“Thank you so much, Chairman Owens, and thank you to the witnesses for coming today. 

We know that a college degree is the surest pathway to economic mobility in America.

Unfortunately, for many low-income students, particularly those at HBCUs such as Florida Memorial University in South Florida, where I live, the cost of a college degree remains out-of-reach without federal student aid.

For years, the Pell Grants have helped our want-to-be-somebody students achieve the promise of higher education.

This is why, in 2020, Democrats and Republicans in Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act, which aimed to streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance form and expand student aid eligibility, especially for those who usually would not be able to afford to go to college.

Sadly, the hold-ups with this law raise questions about whether going to college in the fall is even doable for those who can't foot the bill.

Students needed their financial aid information months ago to make college decisions, yet many still don’t have that information today.

I'd like to remind everyone that College Decision Day, which should be a joyous event where students declare where they'll go in the fall, is May 1st, less than a month away. And we don’t want children all dressed up on that day with no place to go.

I even have a signing day in my district where the boys in the 5000 Role Models of Excellence sign, just like athletes, but they are signing for academic scholarships. 

But guess what? Many students won't even have what they need to make that choice.

Additionally, this has made things more complicated for colleges and high school counselors as well.

They, just like students, have had to quickly adapt to the frequent changes from the Department of Education.

These setbacks put decades of progress in jeopardy, slamming the brakes on efforts to widen access to higher education and financial stability for students of color, first-generation students, and those from low-income backgrounds. 

According to the National College Attainment Network, only 32.3 percent of students from low-income high schools completed the FAFSA form, a 32.9 percent decrease from the previous year. And only 32.2 percent of students in high-minority high schools have completed the form, a 33.3 percent decrease from the previous year. 

This stark reality directly opposes the intended purpose of the FAFSA Simplification Act, serving as a slap in the face to students wanting to be somebody and achieve the promise of higher education. 

While I agree that holding the Department accountable and investigating its mishandling is crucial, our immediate priority, immediate priority, must be ensuring students and their families have the necessary resources to make informed decisions about their future. 

We must also ensure that schools and organizations are prepared to assist them.

The clock is ticking, and students need answers now. Thank you.”

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