Yang Rohr Passes Measures Expanding Support for FAFSA- Filing Students

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville, passed dual measures to support students filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), continuing her commitment to commonsense education reforms.

“We should be doing everything we can to make college more affordable for students and their families, including making the process of applying for financial aid easier, less costly and efficient,” Yang Rohr said. “By both designating a school staff member as a FAFSA contact and opening up the form and format of FAFSA resources on campus and during school hours available to students, we are making an arduous process that much easier. For families who are confronting the high costs of sending their children to college, making this complicated process more accommodating to them could make all the difference.”

The Yang Rohr-backed House Bill 3096 requires school administrators to designate a staff member as a FAFSA contact starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This contact would serve as a resource to students as they navigate the financial aid process as well as a liaison with the State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The designee would be required to complete additional training to ensure they are capable of providing the best, most accurate information for students, agency leaders and fellow staff.

Yang Rohr’s House Bill 3097 clarifies that current administrative support to students completing FAFSA paperwork will include providing assistance during school hours and not requiring a student to be excused from regularly scheduled class time. The legislation maintains flexibility by allowing schools to work with ISAC on the form and format of the assistance they are meaningfully able to provide.

House Bill 3096 passed out of the House overwhelmingly and out of the Senate unanimously. House Bill 3097 passed unanimously out of the House and Senate. Both pieces of legislation
now await the governor's signature for final consideration.