Students with undocumented parents are increasingly hesitant to complete the FAFSA due to fears that their information could be shared with immigration enforcement agencies, according to reporting that cites university-community outreach and advocacy groups. A student described stopping mid-application after encountering questions that flagged parents without Social Security numbers. The concern centers on Education Department data-sharing practices, even as federal policy has historically limited sharing to immigration enforcement. Reporting indicates FAFSA participation has declined in certain immigrant communities even while overall applications rise—citing data analyzed by the University of Washington Center for Human Rights and reporting partners. The National Association of College Admissions Counseling said its members hear directly from students who believe submitting the FAFSA increases risk for family members facing detention and deportation. The immediate higher-ed impact is enrollment and aid access: fewer FAFSA completions can translate into reduced eligibility for federal student aid, potentially worsening net-price affordability and persistence for eligible students.