193:26-a Graduation Requirements; Free Application for Federal Student Aid. –
I. Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each student who is at least 18 years of age or legally emancipated, who is otherwise eligible to graduate from high school, or the parent of such a student who is under the age of 18 years, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma from a public high school, shall either:
(a) File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid with the United States Department of Education; or
(b) File a waiver on a form created by the state board of education with the student's school district indicating that the parent or guardian or, if applicable, the student, understands what the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is and has chosen not to file an application
II. Each school district with a high school shall provide to each high school student and, if applicable, his or her parent or guardian, any support or assistance necessary to comply with paragraph I. A school district shall award a high school diploma to a student who is unable to meet the requirements of paragraph I if the student has met all other graduation requirements and the principal attests that the school district has made a good faith effort to assist the student or, if applicable, his or her parent or guardian in filing an application or a waiver.
Source. 2021, 209:2, Pt. I, Sec. 1, eff. July 1, 2023.