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“Prior-Prior Year” FAFSA Increased Aid Submissions but Likely not Enrollment

Author

Listed:
  • Eric Bettinger

    (Stanford University)

  • Oded Gurantz

    (University of Colorado)

  • Monica Lee

    (Brown University)

  • Bridget Terry Long

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the primary gatekeeper to secure financial aid for college. The federal government instituted two changes to the process in 2017, commonly known as “prior-prior year” FAFSA: (1) an earlier start date that lengthens the filing period and (2) the ability to use completed taxes from the prior calendar year. This paper uses descriptive statistics to examine resulting changes in application filing behavior in California. Students submitted their FAFSA substantially earlier and refiling rates increased among independent students in the policy year. Although these changes may have reduced the burden of applying, the earlier submissions did not appear to substantially alter state aid receipt or postsecondary attendance.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Bettinger & Oded Gurantz & Monica Lee & Bridget Terry Long, 2023. "“Prior-Prior Year” FAFSA Increased Aid Submissions but Likely not Enrollment," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 64(6), pages 789-807, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:64:y:2023:i:6:d:10.1007_s11162-022-09720-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11162-022-09720-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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