Lamont Pushes For Increasing College Enrollment

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont will introduce legislation with the aim to increase postsecondary education enrollment in Connecticut, especially among first-generation, low-income and minority students. The proposal is part of Lamont’s larger push for better workforce development in the state.

Connecticut’s 2020 postsecondary education enrollment saw a 3.5 percentage point decline from 2019 levels, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The country has a whole saw a decline due to the pandemic.

“We must prioritize postsecondary enrollment so that our students are earning degrees and credentials that get them into the workforce and contributing to Connecticut’s economy,” Lamont said in a statement. “These students represent our future, and the stakes are too high if we do not act now to mitigate these losses even further.”

Lamont’s proposal would make filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid a graduation requirement for most students. Undocumented students could fill out a similar state form and other students could fill out a waiver. The proposal is modeled after Louisiana, which saw a 25 percent increase in FAFSA completion after mandating it for graduation.

“All too often, eligible students don’t believe they qualify for funding, so they skip the FAFSA and end up unnecessarily paying hundreds or thousands of dollars out of pocket,” Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Interim President Jane Gates said. “Governor Lamont’s proposal is a simple change that could make a big difference in the lives of our students.”

Eligible high school graduates left around $2.6 billion in federal aid on the table by not filling out FAFSA.

Lamont will also propose that the admission process for Connecticut state universities be streamlined for Connecticut high school students to eliminate the bureaucratic application process and application fees.

The governor also wants to increase access to advanced placement and other similar programs that offer college credit. Districts would have to automatically enroll students in advanced coursework if they are academically prepared.

Lamont will also propose legislation that will expand short-term workforce training programs for high demand jobs.