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Seniors- Financial Aid Updates

New York State Financial Aid Update:

New York State’s Office of Postsecondary Access, Support, and Success enacted a new law, effective August 15, 2024, which  requires that each school district shall ensure verification from the parent or guardian of a student who is a senior (or from the student where the student is 18 years of age or older or legally emancipated) that the student either:

  1. complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or, if applicable, the Jose Peralta New York State Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act application; or
  2. complete the Waiver Form indicating that the parent or guardian (or student, as applicable), understands the nature of the FAFSA or, if applicable, the DREAM Act application and has chosen not to file such application.

Starting July 1, 2025, each school district must annually report to the Department data for all enrolled seniors, which includes:

  1. the total number of students who completed the FAFSA or, if applicable, the DREAM Act application;
  2. the number of students who completed a waiver; and
  3. the total number of seniors enrolled.

In order for the school district to be compliant with the new law, Dansville Central School District will be required to request information related to your student’s completion of either the FAFSA or the waiver form.  Listed below are links to essential documents as well as resources for the completion of the financial aid forms.  

Dansville High School Financial Aid Notification Letter:

DansvilleCSDFAFSAandWaiverLetterdocx.pdf

New York State Memo and Documents:

Verification of Postsecondary Financial Aid Form or Waiver memo

Waiver Form

 

Upcoming Events:

Alfred State Financial Aid Information Night:  

SUNY Geneseo College Financial Aid Information Night (Hosted by SUNY Geneseo)

SUNY Geneseo FAFSA Completion Support Night: 

SUNY Geneseo FAFSA Completion Support Night:

 

Free Application for Federal Student Aid:


What Is FAFSA®?

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid website.

FAFSA Application Deadlines Federal and state application deadlines.

2024-25 FAFSA Checklist Checklist of information that is required in order to apply for the FAFSA.  This can also be used for the 2025-26 FAFSA. 

How to create a StudentAid.gov Account  Step by step process for creating a StudentAid.gov account.

How do you know if you are a Dependent or Independent FAFSA Filer?  This link helps students determine their dependency status. 

How do I know which parent needs to file?  Flow chart to help determine which parent needs to file. 

FAFSA Guidance  NY’s HESC website for general guidance and information related to the FAFSA

Student FAFSA Toolkit  NY’s HESC website offers resources for students and their families to assist with FAFSA completion.  

HESC Financial Aid Events  HESC offers a number of events for student and families to support the FAFSA and financial aid process.

FAFSA Do's and Don'ts  tips and tricks for the FAFSA completion process

 

New York State Specific Sites:

NYS DREAM ACT The Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act gives undocumented and other students access to New York State‐administered student financial aid to support their higher education costs.

NY State Tuition Assistance Program Information and application process for eligible students who can receive up to $5,665 to help cover tuition expenses.

NY State Grants and Scholarships:  Website that identifies grants and scholarships as well as resources for students and their families to support the cost of their education.

Examples include:

  • Excelsior Scholarship Enables students from families earning $125,000 or less per year to attend a state-operated SUNY or CUNY college tuition-free.

  • Enhanced Tuition Award  Provides students from families earning $125,000 or less to receive up to $6,000 toward tuition costs at participating NYS private colleges.

  • STEM Award Tuition award for students who graduate in the top 10% of their NYS high school class & pursue a degree in STEM at SUNY or CUNY.

  • Part time Scholarship  Students attending a SUNY or CUNY community college can receive an award that covers up to the cost of six credit hours per term.

 

Still Have Questions?

Please contact your student's School Counselor for assistance:

  • Zach Matzek, School Counselor (Grades 9-12, A-K)
    • Email:  matzekz@dansvillecsd.org
    • Phone:  (585) 335-4010, ext 1007
  • Erik Kastner, School Counselor (Grades 9-12, L-Z)
    • Email:  kastnere@dansvillecsd.org
    • Phone:  (585) 335-4010, ext 1006