2025 FAFSA and Dream Act Information and Waiver Form
Hicksville FAFSA Parent Letter
FAFSA Dream Act Waiver Form
As part of our commitment to supporting all students in their pursuit of post-secondary education, the Hicksville School District has been sharing valuable information about state-sponsored scholarships, financial aid opportunities, and other forms of assistance throughout the year. As we continue to support you, we want to remind you of these opportunities so you may have access to the resources available to help reduce the financial burden of higher education. Our ongoing support is aimed at empowering you to make informed decisions about your future.
Important Points to Keep in Mind:
1. State-Sponsored Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are numerous scholarship opportunities and financial aid programs funded by the state that are designed to assist students in paying for college. These include, but are not limited to:
- NYS Tuition Assistance Program TAP
- Excelsior Scholarship Excelsior Scholarship
- Enhanced Tuition Awards ETA
- STEM Incentive Program STEM Incentive Award
- NYS DREAM Act DREAM ACT
2. Scholarship and Financial Notification Process
Each high school senior enrolled in Hicksville Public Schools will be notified of these scholarship and financial aid opportunities no less than two times during the school year. This information will be provided through multiple channels such as:
- Email notifications
- Naviance blasts
- School counseling office updates
- School website
3. FAFSA and DREAM Act Application and Waiver Requirement
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act Application determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid to help cover college or career school expenses.
As per New York State Education Law 305(61), school districts must verify that high school seniors either:
1. Complete the FAFSA or DREAM Act application, or
2. Sign a waiver confirming their understanding of these applications and their decision not to file.
The waiver can be found in this link FAFSA or Dream Act Waiver Form
In addition to scholarship notifications, the district will provide referrals for support to help students and families complete the FAFSA or DREAM Act application. These applications are essential for accessing federal and state financial aid, and our school counselors are available to assist with this process.
Next Steps:
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on emails and school communications regarding scholarship deadlines and application procedures.
Complete the FAFSA/DREAM Act Application as soon as it is available. If you have not already, please prioritize completing the necessary financial aid applications as soon as possible. The FAFSA was made available on December 1, 2024.
To prepare:
1. Create an Account if you don’t already have one.
2. Learn about the Documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA
3. Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.
4. If you’re a dependent student, use the Who's My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a
required contributor on your form.
Contact Us for Assistance: If you need help understanding the scholarship options or require assistance with the FAFSA or DREAM Act application, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school counselors or visit StudentAid.gov and/or HESC NY
We are here to support you every step of the way, and we encourage all seniors and their families to take full advantage of these resources. Post-secondary education is a significant investment, and we are committed to helping you find the financial resources you need to make it more affordable.