I MPLEMENTING S TATE F INANCIAL A ID

I MPLEMENTING S TATE F INANCIAL A ID FOR DREAM ERS: Lessons Learned Bryan Dickason bryand@csac. ca. gov Rachelle Sharpe rachelles@wsac. wa. gov

HISTORY 18 States Allow In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students CA, TX – 2001 NY, UT – 2002 WA, OK, IL, KS – 2003, 2004 NM, NE – 2005, 2006 WI – 2009 & revoked in 2011 MD 2011 (community colleges) CT – 2011 CO, NJ, MN OR – 2013 FL – 2014 State Financial Aid Undocumented Student Eligibility California – 2012 Texas – 2011 Minnesota – 2013 Washington – 2014 Resources & Articles – National Conference of State Legislatures http: //www. ncsl. org/research/education/undocumented-student-tuitionresources. aspx

MAIN TOPICS Partnerships are Key Clarity of Messaging Streamlined Administration § § § Application Central Processing Center Centralized vs. Decentralized Data Matching Disbursements

ENGAGE PARTNERS Undocumented student advocacy groups can be very valuable resources Engage campuses and K-12 Use existing channels (GEAR UP, TRi. O) Use similar methods with marketing any new program § § Develop message Use focus groups Use multiple venues (webinars, social media, etc. ) Repeat, repeat Develop a media plan

CLARITY OF MESSAGING Student has been told by parents to not bring any attention to themselves. Parents are very reluctant to provide their data. There is an inherent mistrust. Include students when testing applications and instructional language. Eligibility and application process needs to be understood by partners and advocates. Implementation of a state law must be done with fidelity.

THE DACA PROCESS SSNs issued after completion of the DACA process Employment Authorization Document – may permit state or institutional work-study Messaging to encourage students to not complete the FAFSA even with an SSN Clarify eligibility differences

DON’T REWRITE THE FINANCIAL AID BOOK Similar information as “Financial Aid Night” Approach student eligibility the same (other than citizenship) Calculate EFC the same Students should be treated equitably with separate application system Verify the same and on the same data elements (MN verifies all applicants) Determine whether tax returns must be filed

THE APPLICATION All four states developed a separate application A federal form presents an immediate barrier The FAFSA will reject due to citizenship Texas uses paper application - TASFA California developed custom web based – CA Dream Act Minnesota used 3 r d party vendor web application and developing custom web application – MN Dream Act Washington used same 3 r d party vendor and plan to move to custom web application – WASFA All states are decentralized in their main need-grant program § MN moved to centralized for this sub-program Consider the viability of an electronic signature

THE STATE ACTS AS CENTRAL FAFSA PROCESSOR Train customer service staff with this in mind Will the campuses upload an ISIR-like file? Can the applications be used to document need for non-state resources? What will be the cutoff after which the state will no longer process applications?

ELIGIBILITY Are there different requirements for residency/tuition that will present conflicting information or cause confusion? Does Deferred Action for Early Childhood Arrival affect eligibility? Will students who filed the FAFSA (DACA) be asked to file the separate state application? Will students be required to verify income and resources? Must DREAMers register with Selective Service? Must DREAMers and their parents complete federal tax returns if required to do so? Do students have to sign any affidavit or certification to participate?

DATA MATCHING AND SHARING Will students be provided with a release of information? Will records be matched to other datasets without an SSN? Will records be identifiable? Will students be treated in an equitable manner via a separate application process? Will a unique student identifier work with your current system and with colleges? Consider reporting challenges if some students are processed via FAFSA Consider reporting sensitivities What data transfer format will work best with your colleges? How will dependency overrides be processed? What about batch correction processes for the state ISIR?

DISBURSEMENT ISSUES Where can the student cash a check? Can they open bank accounts? Can they use a debit card? Make sure they do not use a check cashing service.

MAIN STICKING POINTS Residency training needed (in-state tuition) Other aid program eligibility with DACA Inability to rely on FAFSA validation Misperceptions regarding population Whether to develop or purchase an application system Political “landmines”