Charleston Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on National College Decision Day, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) criticized the Biden administration's handling of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program, which has led to a significant decrease in completion rates across various categories. Senator Capito highlighted the impact of this issue on students in her state of West Virginia and nationwide.

Senator Capito expressed her concern over the decline in FAFSA completion rates, stating, “Freshman FAFSA completion rates are down 35.3%. For Pell eligible students, FAFSA completion rates are down 32.1%. For non-traditional students age 25 and older, FAFSA completion rates are down 35%. The total number of high school students that completed FAFSA is down 39.6%. And, the total number of high school students who submitted a FAFSA is down 31.6%."

She criticized the Biden administration for jeopardizing college access and affordability for students, particularly those who would be the first in their families to attend college. Senator Capito pointed out the importance of the FAFSA Simplification Act passed by Congress in 2020 and expressed disappointment in the administration's implementation of the law.

Senator Capito emphasized the need for accountability and action, stating, “Our students deserve better. Senate Republicans will remain committed to holding the administration accountable and pushing for a fix to this issue." She also highlighted her efforts to address the FAFSA fiasco through legislative actions and collaborations with colleagues.

In response to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona's testimony, Senator Capito expressed dissatisfaction with his responses and highlighted the urgent need for solutions to the FAFSA crisis. She welcomed Governor Jim Justice's declaration of a State of Emergency on the matter, providing relief for students in West Virginia.

Senator Capito concluded by urging bipartisan cooperation to address the challenges surrounding the FAFSA application process and ensure that essential resources are available for students. She emphasized that delivering what students deserve should not be a partisan issue and called for a focused approach to prevent similar issues in the future.

With that, Senator Capito yielded the floor.