Opinion: College Is Still Within Reach for Mississippians
By James McHale
Even in the best of times, navigating the path to college can be a source of stress for Mississippi families. Applying can be complicated, attending can be expensive, and the numerous processes and deadlines can be overwhelming.
Unfortunately, students enrolling in college this fall, as well as those interested in enrolling, are facing even greater challenges. Delays and outages have plagued the multi-year process to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as FAFSA, leaving students across Mississippi and the nation far behind in securing the financial assistance they need. The good news is that it’s not too late to apply, and Mississippi students have access to programs like Get2College, which provide essential support for families navigating the updated process.
The FAFSA is the gateway to qualifying for federal financial-aid programs, and for many families, it is the key to affording college. Some institutions even require it as part of the enrollment process, and it must be completed each year. However, while the FAFSA can be a bridge that enables students to go to college, its complexities can also become barriers that stop students from applying altogether.
Problems that hinder students’ ability to complete the FAFSA only reduce their likelihood of enrolling in and completing college. Any college beyond high school—whether a four-year degree, a two-year community college degree or a certificate in career and technical education—can lead to financial stability and higher-paying careers.
The U.S. Department of Education aimed to release a “streamlined” version last year to make the process more accessible. However, the federal government released the 2024-2025 FAFSA months behind schedule, and the website experienced frequent outages and glitches, delaying students from submitting. Those needing to correct their applications faced even longer delays, while those who submitted paper applications saw their processing delayed until July 2024, with an expected completion by the end of August—well after many colleges have already begun their fall semester.
By April, the U.S. Department of Education had received less than half the amount of FAFSA applications they would’ve received in past years. As of Aug. 9, 2024, the FAFSA completion rate nationally for the high school class of 2024 was 49.7%, down 9.8% compared to last year. The delayed full release date of Dec. 1 for the 2025-2026 FAFSA again shortens the application window for current high-school seniors by two months.
These disruptions are especially damaging to Mississippi residents. Our state is already behind—ranked #48 overall by U.S News and World Report and home to a population where less than a quarter of residents hold bachelor’s degrees, as of the latest Census data. (The national average for bachelor’s degree attainment is more than 10 points higher, at 34.3%.) Conversely, the state’s poverty rate is seven points higher than the national average, sitting at 19.1%, per that same data. In some parts of the state, such as the Delta, degree completion rates are even lower, and poverty rates are higher.
However, it’s not too late to complete the FAFSA, and local organizations are supporting families through the process. For example, Get2College, our program of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation, provides in-person and virtual individual appointments across the state and has produced a series of YouTube videos for guidance. Our three in-person centers and state-wide virtual services are available for free to students and families. These resources include career counseling, free ACT prep, and hands-on assistance in completing forms and securing financial aid. Starting in 2025, thanks to support from the Walton Family Foundation, the Get2College team will be even more accessible through a mobile van that will serve families in rural communities.
The team’s work addresses the falling state FAFSA completion rate, which has dropped by 13.8% in Mississippi. Get2College’s services equip many Mississippi students with the tools needed to complete FAFSA, increasing their likelihood of attending college by 84%.
Even as organizations work to reduce the negative consequences of FAFSA delays, the potential damage poses difficult questions. How have FAFSA difficulties affected students’ futures? How will colleges respond to lower enrollments? Will tuition go up as a result?
Time will tell. For now, families should focus on persisting despite the headlines about delays in Washington. They should utilize available support and continue working to complete the FAFSA, putting college within reach.
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James E. McHale is President and CEO of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation (WHEF), and the Mississippi Higher Education Assistance Corporation based in Jackson, Mississippi. Woodward Hines is an independent foundation committed to helping more Mississippians obtain postsecondary credentials, college certifications, and degrees that lead to meaningful employment.
As President of WHEF since December of 2015, McHale has led the organization’s efforts to provide support to specific education initiatives in Mississippi by identifying and providing support for programs focused on helping more individuals obtain a postsecondary degree or credential.
James McHale earned his Masters of Management from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a Bachelor’s of Science from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo.
McHale has significant foundation experience, having been employed in the industry for over 25 years. He has served in several senior leadership roles, including Senior Vice President for Programs, Chief of Staff, and Vice President for Program Strategies with W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan where he worked for over 20 years.
He has led a successful rebrand and corporate name change of the organization from Education Services Foundation to the Woodward Hines Education Foundation in 2017. This new name honors the vision and legacy of Jack Woodward and J. Herman Hines, both Mississippians who were instrumental in originally forming the foundation as a catalyst for improving access to postsecondary education for residents across the state. This change also acknowledges the process of the organization transitioning into a grant making foundation.
Under his leadership, WHEF has worked to scale its flagship program—Get2College—in an effort to increase postsecondary access and attainment among populations that have typically been underrepresented in higher education. Through direct services and partnerships, WHEF provides free college planning services to more than 45,000 Mississippians each year.
McHale also led conversations with state and national leaders about the importance of establishing a postsecondary attainment goal in Mississippi. In October 2020, the goal—Ascent to 55%--was officially adopted.
Since its inception, WHEF has worked to increase college access and entry for young people in Mississippi and has expanded that work to support promising practices that lead to college persistence and completion. The foundation seeks a Mississippi where all people can secure the training and education beyond high school that will allow them to advance their quality of life, strengthen their communities, and contribute to a vibrant and prosperous future for the state of Mississippi.
