House approves measure to connect high school plans to FAFSA and financial‑aid guidance

The House amended and passed Substitute Senate Bill 58 41 to require additional student‑level financial‑aid information and to connect the statewide "high school and beyond" planning platform with higher education agencies.

Representative Bergquist (11th District) moved adoption of amendment 21‑40, which adds an annual financial‑aid calculator and requires school staff to check students' FAFSA/financial‑aid forms where possible to ensure students understand what aid they qualify for. Bergquist described seeing high school students unaware of their college‑bound eligibility and said the amendment would help counselors reach students earlier.

Representative Keaton (25th District) and Representative Bergquist urged support; Keaton said the policy would help raise college‑going rates by ensuring counselors know which students completed financial‑aid forms. The amendment and the committee amendment as amended were adopted on voice vote and roll call, and the clerk later reported final passage: 92 yays, 4 nays, 2 excused. The presiding officer declared Substitute Senate Bill 58 41 as amended passed.

The bill advances to enrollment and signature for transmittal to the governor.