It would be hard to blame high school seniors and their parents for being uncertain about the financial aid landscape for post-secondary education right now. But it still might come as a surprise to know that now — and for years — fewer students are applying for available college scholarships.

The National College Attainment Network examined the number of completed Free Applications for Federal Student Aid as of June 30 before each academic year, as a percentage of the number of high school seniors each year. Back in 2018-19 (the high school class of 2018), 54% of seniors completed the FAFSA. For 2019-20, it was 53.8%. There was an understandable decline amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But for 2023-24, the rate was 53.4%.

Now — for the 2024-25 year (high school class of 2024), the FAFSA completion rate for high school seniors was a mere 46%.

That means 54% of high school seniors didn’t even bother to find out whether there was money available to help with their post-secondary education.

At the smaller, private level, nonprofits are reporting fewer and fewer applicants for the money they have for students. Some report giving up on scholarship distribution altogether.

Why?

Reasons range from lack of opportunity awareness to being uncertain of requirements and qualifications. And, quite simply, some don’t feel like going through the application process. They don’t think it’s worth their time, they aren’t sure of the value of post-secondary education, and / or they don’t believe the smaller dollar amounts of some scholarships would make enough of a dent to keep them from being over their heads in debt, anyway.

Parents, educators and counselors must stress to these young people that every dollar counts, and chipping away at the cost of a post-secondary education is most certainly worth the effort. Meanwhile, scholarship-offering organizations must do a better job of making students and their families aware of opportunities — and streamlining the application process.

Yes, it’s another form to fill out, another essay to write, another set of financial numbers to gather. Yes, it’s one more thing at a time when high school seniors are absolutely drowning in academic and extra-curricular expectations and the anxiety that comes with the end of one chapter and beginning of another.

But exploring every avenue to help fund a post-secondary education is worth the extra time and effort. Don’t leave behind money that is just waiting to be claimed. You won’t regret giving yourself a chance.