NEW FAFSA OPT-OUT REQUIREMENTS STARTING WITH CLASS OF 2027

Under a new law recently enacted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, beginning with the 2026-27 school year, high school students enrolled in Pennsylvania public and non-public schools must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) with the U.S. Department of Education or submit the Pennsylvania FAFSA Completion Opt-Out Form to the Clarion Area High School Counseling Office before completing high school.

 CAN A STUDENT OPT-OUT OF THE REQUIREMENT?

 Yes. To opt out of submitting the FAFSA, the student’s parent or legal guardian must submit the Pennsylvania FAFSA Completion Opt-Out Form to the student’s school. A student who is 18 or older or legally emancipated may submit the opt-out form on their own behalf. You must use the form linked above, developed by PDE, to Opt-Out and this form must be submitted to the Counseling Office at Clarion High School.

 Please be advised that a parent, legal guardian or student is not required to provide personal financial information to the school or indicate a reason for not submitting the FAFSA or opt-out form.

 HOW IS THE FAFSA USED?

 The FAFSA is a no-cost form that U.S. students must complete to be eligible for all federal financial aid that students can use to help pay for college and career schools after high school.

The FAFSA is used by:

• The U.S. Department of Education to determine a student’s eligibility for certain federal grants, loans, work study programs and scholarships;

• The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to award the PA State Grant and other types of aid specifically for Pennsylvania students; and

• Colleges and career schools to determine a student’s eligibility for institutional aid and to develop financial aid packages for students interested in attending their schools.

By filing the FAFSA, students and families can access federal, state and institutional financial aid for a variety of postsecondary programs and make informed decisions about life after high school.

IMPLICATIONS

Please be aware that no student shall be prevented from graduating high school or penalized for not completing the FAFSA.

 Filing a FAFSA does not obligate a student to accept financial aid or enroll in any postsecondary education or training program. Choosing not to file the FAFSA while in high school also does not prevent a student from completing the FAFSA in the future. Applying for financial aid is an annual process.