Supporting the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month to raise awareness of student financial aid.

Whereas education is the key to a successful future for many people in the United States;

Whereas the ability of some students to attend an institution of higher education is conditional on the availability of student financial assistance;

Whereas the cost of higher education continues to rise for 4-year private colleges and universities, 4-year public colleges and universities, 2-year community colleges, and for profit institutions;

Whereas students and families across the United States are making important decisions about financing their education at an institution of higher education;

Whereas efforts to increase awareness about student financial aid options are necessary for students across the United States to receive all of the financial aid available to them;

Whereas increasing awareness about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ensures that more eligible students may benefit from Federal financial assistance;

Whereas students must complete and submit a new FAFSA each school year to be considered for all forms of Federal financial aid;

Whereas each year, about 16,000,000 students apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA;

Whereas increasing access to Federal financial aid helps reduce students’ reliance on costly private loans; and

Whereas Student Financial Aid Awareness Month will help call attention to the critical role financial assistance plays in helping students attending an institution of higher education: Now, therefore, be it