Michigan House Bill HB6224

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/4/24
• Refer: 12/4/24

Caption

Education: other; requirements to receive funding to improve FAFSA competition rates; modify. Amends sec. 67f of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1667f). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0463'23

Impact

The bill's implementation would shift the landscape of high school graduation requirements in Michigan by introducing a mandatory FAFSA completion. This could potentially increase the number of students accessing federal financial aid, thereby improving their chances of pursuing higher education. The support of the Michigan College Access Network in determining suitable activities to enhance FAFSA completion further emphasizes the state's commitment to facilitating access to college opportunities for high school students.

Summary

House Bill 6224 seeks to amend the State School Aid Act of 1979 by introducing measures to improve the completion rates of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) among high school students in Michigan. The bill allocates up to $10 million from the state school aid fund for the fiscal year 2024-2025 to assist school districts in implementing activities aimed at driving FAFSA completion. To be eligible for this funding, districts must require all students to complete the FAFSA as a graduation requirement, unless they qualify for an exemption specified in the bill.

Contention

While the intent of HB 6224 is to widen access to financial aid, there are points of contention regarding the mandatory requirement for FAFSA completion. Critics may argue that imposing such a requirement could disproportionately affect students from low-income or marginalized backgrounds who may have barriers to completing the FAFSA process. The bill does provide for exemptions under specific circumstances, but the impact of these requirements on student populations needs careful consideration to avoid unintended negative consequences.

Notable points

Additionally, the bill ties the funding to compliance with sections of the revised school code, which might raise concerns regarding local autonomy and the ability of districts to tailor their policies to meet the unique needs of their student populations. The act will not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 463 is enacted, indicating interdependencies between legislative actions that could affect the final implementation of provisions outlined in HB 6224.