The City University of New York has received a generous donation of $1 million from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation to address the challenges arising from the delayed rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This initiative, named CUNY Financial Aid Support Team (FAST), aims to assist 100,000 high school seniors and current CUNY students in completing the FAFSA, crucial for receiving financial aid.
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez expressed gratitude to the Petrie Foundation for their support in creating the program, stating, "For most families, financial aid can be the decisive factor in their ability to attend college." He emphasized the importance of providing guidance and support to ensure that prospective students can pursue higher education.
Executive Director of the Petrie Foundation, Cass Conrad, highlighted the impact of this initiative, stating, "The entire higher education system is in crisis this year... The Petrie Foundation is proud to support this citywide effort to provide coaching to high school and college students as they seek to navigate the new financial aid application."
Chancellor David C. Banks of New York City Public Schools expressed commitment to supporting students' college goals, stating, "We are grateful for the partnership between CUNY and the Petrie Foundation in support of our students' futures."
The FAFSA completion program, supported by the Petrie Foundation, will provide specialized training to college-age peer counselors and hire CUNY students to offer personalized assistance to students and families. The program will focus on increasing FAFSA completion rates through tailored outreach and support events.
The initiative comes amidst efforts to boost FAFSA completion rates in New York State, with Governor Kathy Hochul designating April as Financial Aid Awareness Month. CUNY has adjusted its admission offer deadline and launched various resources to support students in navigating the financial aid process.
The collaboration between CUNY, the New York Public Library, and other partners aims to enhance outreach efforts, spotlight application deadlines, and provide support to students through in-person and virtual events.
The Petrie Foundation's contribution will play a crucial role in supporting students from low-income families and underserved communities in accessing financial aid and pursuing higher education opportunities.
