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() Fewer California high school seniors are applying for federal financial aid, and some analysts told CalMatters it could be a sign students fear that President Donald Trump’s administration will use their data for immigration enforcement.
The number of seniors who completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, dropped by about 25% 48,000 students as of last week compared to the same time last year, according to data from the California Student Aid Commission.
The California deadline for state financial aid, such as waivers to fully cover tuition at public universities and other awards, is early March.
The share of students applying who have at least one undocumented parent also dropped by 44% to 17,000 students so far compared to last year’s 30,000 students.