SUNY Chancellor King and Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Soler Discuss College Financial Aid With High School Seniors, Encourage FAFSA Completion

Published April 07, 2025

Fewer Than Half of NYS High School Seniors Have Completed the FAFSA, Which Unlocks State and Federal Financial Aid 
Photos of Chancellor, Superintendent, and Elected Officials with Students Available Here

Yonkers, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. and Yonkers Public School Superintendent Anibal Soler, Jr. co-hosted an event with Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, HESC President Dr. Guillermo Linares, elected officials, and area high school seniors to discuss the college application process and the importance of completing the FAFSA and NYS DREAM Act applications to access financial aid.

“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and financial aid is crucial to ensuring that students can access quality higher education and achieve their dreams,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “My thanks to Superintendent Soler, Mayor Spano, our elected officials, and especially the students in the Yonkers Public Schools for talking about the opportunities that lie ahead after high school graduation and how they can start their path toward their career aspirations.”

The Yonkers school district has a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rate range of 55% to 59%, which is above the New York state average of 48.2%.

City of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said, “I want to extend my gratitude to SUNY Chancellor King, our Superintendent of Schools Anibal Soler, Yonkers Board of Trustees, and administrators for highlighting this call to action in supporting our students. We are proud of our graduation rate, but we want to ensure they are empowered to extend their educational opportunities and continue on their pathway to success.”

Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Anibal Soler, Jr. said, “Completing the FAFSA is one of the most critical steps in making college affordable and accessible for all students – especially those from historically underrepresented communities. We are proud that Yonkers Public Schools students are completing at rates well above the state and national averages, but we know there’s more work to do. I commend Chancellor King for his leadership and for bringing statewide attention to this issue. His commitment reinforces the importance of making sure every student knows college is not only a dream but an attainable goal.”

Yonkers Board of Education President, Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio said, “FAFSA completion is about unlocking opportunity. It’s not just a form – it’s a gateway to college, career training, and future success. We’re grateful to Chancellor King for highlighting this critical effort and for engaging directly with our students. His presence today affirms our shared commitment to equity and access, and we encourage every eligible student in Yonkers to take that important step and complete the FAFSA.”

HESC President Dr. Guillermo Linares said, “Completing the FAFSA, TAP, or NYS DREAM Act applications is key in making higher education accessible and affordable for all students. I applaud Yonkers Public Schools for its success in supporting students in completing their financial aid applications. By working together as a community, we can ensure that more students seize the financial opportunities available to them and pursue their dreams of earning a college degree. At HESC, we remain committed to supporting families and students in navigating the financial aid process and unlocking the doors to a brighter future."

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Education is the foundation for opportunity and advancement, and no one should be unable to pursue higher education because of financial barriers. The State Legislature has prioritized removing these barriers, from the passage of the DREAM ACT, to guaranteeing universal FAFSA access for all high school seniors. I’m pleased that SUNY Chancellor King and Superintendent Soler have utilized these resources to boost Yonkers’ already impressive FAFSA completion rates. I strongly encourage all eligible students to complete both the FAFSA and NYS DREAM Act applications. The Legislature remains committed to supporting initiatives that make higher education more accessible and affordable for all of New York’s students.”

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am pleased to join SUNY Chancellor King, Yonkers Schools Superintendent Anibal Soler, Mayor Mike Spano and Yonkers high school students, to discuss the college application process and how we can help our students receive the financial aid they need. For many students in my district, navigating tuition, scholarships, and financial aid can be challenging, especially for first-generation students. No student should miss the opportunity to pursue higher education due to a lack of knowledge about available resources or uncertainty about how to complete paperwork. I am deeply grateful to SUNY for conducting this FAFSA and DREAM Act workshop and for their outreach efforts to ensure that students and prospective students have the knowledge and resources they need to secure essential financial aid."

Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow said, “This is a life-changing opportunity that too many students are missing out on. With 52% of SUNY students attending tuition-free and millions in aid left unclaimed, completing the FAFSA or DREAM Act application is a critical first step. I encourage every eligible student to take advantage of the resources available—from FAFSA workshops to campus support—to unlock the financial aid they deserve.” 

Assemblymember Nader Sayegh said, “Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step for high school students applying to college, providing access to federal, state, and institutional financial aid for a more affordable education by giving students access loans, grants, and work-study programs. As a Yonkers educator and administrator, I know for students in Yonkers, FAFSA and college readiness are vital to prepare and empower them, ensuring higher education is accessible regardless of circumstance. We must continue raising awareness and supporting younger generations in their pursuit of higher education. They are the promising and capable minds who will shape the future. Thank you to SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and Yonkers Superintendent Aníbal Soler Jr. for taking lead and initiative on these matters, and caring for our future.”

According to an analysis by the National College Attainment Network, the high school class of 2023 left more than $4 billion in Pell Grants nationwide unclaimed by not completing the FAFSA. In New York State, nearly $226 million was left unclaimed.

Last year Governor Kathy Hochul introduced and signed legislation, which was passed in the FY2025 Enacted Budget, requiring universal FAFSA completion for graduating high school seniors in an effort to boost completion rates. Studies show that students who complete the FAFSA are more likely to go to college. Specifically, 90% of high school seniors who complete the form go to college directly after graduation, compared to just 55% of seniors who don’t fill out the aid application. 

The FY 2025 budget also included a doubling of New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program's minimum award from $500 to $1,000, an increase to the maximum income threshold from $80,000 to $125,000 for dependent students, and an increase to the independent student income eligibility from $10,000 to $30,000. 

SUNY has taken numerous steps to assist students and their families in applying for financial aid to make college more affordable including:

• Virtual and in-person FAFSA completion workshops, held in English and Spanish, to help families complete the FAFSA;
• Working with State partners to develop and promote online resources including print-ready resources for counselors and students to help guide them through the financial aid process; and
• Continued engagement of the SUNY FAFSA Completion Corps, an AmeriCorps funded program that began in October 2023 with 50 students and has grown to 70 SUNY students at 14 campuses.

For additional resources on completing the FAFSA, please go to NYS Higher Education Services Corporation - FAFSA READY or Smart Track - SUNY. Students interested in applying to a SUNY institution can do so online via the application form. 

About The State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.