This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to require public high school students to complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to graduation, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates that high schools provide necessary support and assistance to students and their parents or guardians in filing the FAFSA. If a student or their guardian chooses not to file, they must report their understanding of the FAFSA and the opportunities it provides on a form created by the state board.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, 18-2-46, which outlines the responsibilities of the state board and county boards in implementing this requirement. It allows the state board to adopt rules to ensure compliance with federal and state privacy laws regarding student information and mandates that any personal data collected for this purpose must not be retained for longer than one year. The bill also includes a deletion of certain language in existing law to streamline the criteria for public charter schools, ensuring they comply with the same federal and state laws as noncharter public schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5G-3, 18-2-46
Engrossed Version: 18-5G-3, 18-2-46