SUNY Chancellor King Holds Virtual Event to Encourage New York Students to Fill Out the FAFSA Form

January 23, 2026

Fewer Than Half of Current NYS High School Seniors Have Completed the FAFSA, Which Helps Unlock State and Federal Financial Aid

Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. held a "Fill Out Your FAFSA" virtual event alongside SUNY students as part of his ongoing efforts to encourage high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens the door to federal and State financial aid. To promote FAFSA completion efforts, Chancellor King held a virtual public forum for the greater Rochester community to highlight the benefits of FAFSA completion and showcase students who filled out their FAFSAs and now attend local SUNY institutions.

"Every student deserves access to an affordable high-quality education and financial aid is a crucial part of this," said SUNY Chancellor King. "By encouraging New York students to fill out their FAFSA forms, we are helping them prepare to succeed at SUNY or another institution of higher education. I look forward to speaking with more community members and sharing how students can leverage financial aid to help them achieve their dreams."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Understanding FAFSA and financial aid options are pivotal to making higher education attainable for all students. By uniting as a community, we can ensure that students receive the resources and support needed to strive for their goal of a college education. Through the FAFSA completion series we are continuing this work to break down barriers and offer opportunities that allow all students to reach their full potential."

According to a report by the National College Attainment Network, the New York State's high school class of 2024 left almost $250 million on the table by not completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Studies show that 90% of high school seniors who complete the form go to college directly after graduation, compared to just 55% of seniors who don't fill out the aid application.

Chancellor King focused this virtual public forum to support the greater Rochester community as the region has lagged behind in terms of FAFSA completion rates statewide. While New York's overall FAFSA completion rate for high school seniors in the Class of 2025 was 68%, the rate for the Rochester community was under 35%. Chancellor King was joined by Orlensy Castillo, a current student at SUNY Brockport; Alejandra Escobar, a current student at Monroe Community College; and Lyric Jones, a current student at Genesee Community College; all of whom shared their stories about filling out the FAFSA when they were high school seniors, and how the form helped them on their paths to a higher education at a SUNY institution.

Chancellor King emphasized that thanks to federal and State financial aid 52% of SUNY's in-state undergraduate students attend tuition-free, and encouraged high school seniors to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Students and families should visit SUNY's website here to get started on their FAFSA application.

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said, "I know that too many students miss out on college simply because they do not complete the FAFSA. I am delighted that Chancellor King is pushing for universal FAFSA completion; we need to help students easily navigate this process and remove as many barriers as possible while they explore their financial options."

State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, "It's a simple truth: when more students complete the FAFSA, more students go to college—because they've learned they can afford it. A college education can unlock so many pathways for young people, particularly for low-income students, students from immigrant families, and first-generation students. By ensuring every student has the opportunity to complete the FAFSA, we show them a door to a successful future and put them in position to fling it open. Thanks to Chancellor King and SUNY for their hard work to make universal FAFSA a reality."

State Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, "As Chair of the Higher Education Committee, I know firsthand that for many students—especially in communities like Southeast Queens—the FAFSA is the key that unlocks the door to a world-class education and a clear path to economic mobility. We cannot allow millions of dollars in federal and state financial aid to go unclaimed simply because a process feels out of reach. I am proud to join Chancellor King in this vital effort to demystify the financial aid process and ensure that every New Yorker, regardless of their background, has the resources they need to make their college dreams a reality. This isn't just about filling out a form; it's about ensuring equitable access to opportunity for the next generation of New York's leaders."

State Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson said, "Thank you, Chancellor King, for raising awareness to Rochester students and families about the importance of completing the FAFSA form – a critical first step to putting higher education in reach in our community. New York's incredible SUNY system has broadened educational access and opportunity to so many students, including myself, and I am proud to partner with Chancellor King, SUNY Brockport, and MCC to promote the Universal FAFSA and other programs aimed at reducing barriers for Rochester's high school seniors so they can achieve their dreams of earning a degree."

State Assemblywoman Sarah Clark said, "Ensuring every student in New York State receives the financial aid they are eligible for to pursue higher education opportunities is a top priority for me. We know that far too often students choose not to pursue higher education simply because they are unaware of the resources available to them or feel that the process is too daunting. Breaking down these barriers makes college more attainable and sets students up for success. Thank you to Chancellor King for hosting this FAFSA forum here in Rochester and a huge shout out to all our stakeholders working to make higher education a reality for everyone across the state."

State Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson said, "I have fought hard to ensure that all high school students in New York complete the FAFSA, opening up opportunities for financial aid and scholarships, by passing my bill in the 2024 budget. Chancellor King's work to make the college application and funding process more understandable for students and their families is key to that effort. I welcome Chancellor King as a true partner in improving access to affordable higher education for all."

State Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, "Too many students in Rochester are missing out on college opportunities simply because they are unaware of all the resources available and don't complete the FAFSA. When critical financial aid is left on the table, it limits access to higher education and economic mobility for our young people and their families. I commend Chancellor King and SUNY for bringing this important conversation to our community and for continuing to invest in outreach, guidance, and support that helps students take the next step toward college and a brighter future."

This series is one of numerous steps that SUNY has taken to assist students and their families in applying for financial aid to make college more affordable including:

Virtual and in-person FAFSA completion workshops, held in English and Spanish, to help families complete the FAFSA;
Working with State partners to develop and promote online resources including print-ready resources for counselors and students to help guide them through the financial aid process; and
Continued engagement of the SUNY FAFSA Completion Corps, an AmeriCorps funded program that began in October 2023 with 50 students and has grown to 70 SUNY students at 14 SUNY campuses.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

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SUNY Chancellor King Holds Virtual Event to Encourage New York Students to Fill Out the FAFSA Form

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