One way to ensure that college is affordable is to ensure that students are receiving all available financial aid. Yet many students - particularly those who need the most help - fail to apply for financial aid. A study recently released by the American Council on Education found that nationally 1.8 million low-and moderate-income students failed to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

An estimated 1.5 million of those applicants would likely have qualified for a Pell Grant if they had applied.

Not only does the FAFSA permit students to get federal aid such as the Pell Grant, but it is also the first step in receiving state and institutional support. Educators confirm that students miss out on financial aid opportunities because they do not understand how the system works. Applying for financial aid and applying for college loans improve the likelihood a student will obtain a bachelor's degree, as does a student's or parent's attendance at an information session on financial aid benefits. ACCESS programs increase awareness of financial aid options and help students secure all available funding for college. The ACCESS Last Dollar Scholarship fills any remaining financial aid gap. To learn more, read about ACCESS's impact.

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