Each year, we receive hundreds of scholarship applications from people in the Sacramento region who work diligently to identify their dreams and pursue them through further education. Last year, our 33 scholarships — most of which are funded by local people and businesses who want to help students succeed — awarded nearly $1 million to 375 people. Having personally reviewed many of the applications, I know how remarkable these students are!
I also know the critical role scholarship funding plays in their ability to pay for their schooling. As the costs of living and education soar while wages remain relatively stagnate for so many in our community, students encounter formidable barriers to accessing higher education. Financial aid, like scholarships, serve as a vital lifeline, bridging the gap between ambition and achievement.
Unfortunately, this year, the process of securing financial aid is more complicated than ever for many students. Due to updates to the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students are encountering significant challenges in submitting scholarship applications. Designed to make it easier for students and their families to access funding, the revised FAFSA’s rollout has been marred by delays and technical glitches, hindering students’ ability to apply for essential financial assistance.
To date, only a fraction of the usual number of students have completed the new FAFSA. Given that it serves as the primary tool for assessing financial need, this decline in completion rates indicates fewer students may access crucial financial aid and scholarships. As need is high, this is a grim reality.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, particularly for students who are already navigating and overcoming significant barriers to earning their degrees, we are taking measures to support applicants to apply for our scholarships. In response to the FAFSA delays, we are extending our scholarship deadline to April 5 for the majority of our scholarships and adjusting application requirements to accommodate alternative methods of assessing financial need. Because most of our scholarships prioritize need when determining award recipients, we see these efforts reinforcing our donors’ commitment to increasing access to education.
That’s something I’m proud of. I hope this flexibility helps students remain steadfast in pursuing their dreams, despite the extra challenges they are encountering this year with applying for financial assistance.