Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced a proposal Monday to require high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as a condition of graduation, though students would retain the option to formally decline participation.
Ferguson made the announcement at Highline College during a news conference focused on expanding college and career readiness across the state. The governor framed the initiative as a response to a significant gap between workforce demands and educational attainment in Washington.
The Education-Workforce Gap
According to the Washington Roundtable, roughly 70 percent of jobs in the state’s economy will require some form of credential beyond high school. Current statewide attainment stands at approximately 40 percent, creating a substantial shortfall in qualified workers. Ferguson emphasized that removing barriers to college access and financial aid awareness could help close that gap.
“We need to do more as a state to make sure that young people unlock that future for themselves,” Ferguson said. He added that evidence from districts already requiring FAFSA completion demonstrates the policy’s effectiveness: “We know that if it’s required, the results are there.”
The governor previously issued an executive order directing an investigation into barriers to FAFSA completion statewide and toured high schools around Washington to assess the issue firsthand.
Current Completion Rates and Model Programs
Statewide FAFSA completion among high school seniors currently sits at 53 percent. However, school districts that have implemented their own FAFSA completion requirements have achieved notably higher rates. Federal Way Public Schools reported a 67 percent completion rate, while College Place School District in southeast Washington achieved 74 percent after instituting a requirement with an opt-out option.
Twelve states, including California, Texas, and New York, already require FAFSA completion with an opt-out provision, providing a model for Washington’s potential policy.
Legislative Timeline and Related Proposals
The FAFSA requirement proposal will be considered by state lawmakers during the 2027 legislative session. The State Board of Education is simultaneously developing broader recommendations for revisions to graduation requirements, signaling that this effort is part of a larger review of high school standards.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal has also proposed a separate yearlong course on financial literacy and postsecondary readiness for high school seniors, which would complement a FAFSA requirement by equipping students with foundational knowledge about college financing and planning.
The timing of these proposals reflects growing recognition among state education leaders that college preparation and access to financial aid information represent critical components of college and career readiness. By making FAFSA completion a standard step in the graduation process, policymakers hope to increase awareness of available financial aid and remove one obstacle to higher education enrollment.
Students and families seeking more information about college planning can explore related state initiatives, including University of Idaho Native Student Programs Launch Graduates Into Tech Careers and University of Idaho Bridge Project Begins July 20; Campus Traffic Restrictions Expected Through Spring, which highlight pathways to postsecondary credentials and workforce development in the region.
What Comes Next
The proposal will advance through the state legislative process beginning in 2027, where lawmakers will weigh it alongside other potential graduation requirement changes. School districts interested in implementing FAFSA requirements before any statewide mandate takes effect can look to Federal Way and College Place as examples of successful implementation.