Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson moved to tighten FAFSA participation by proposing a requirement for high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or a state equivalent) to graduate. Students could opt out by signing a form, and the requested legislation is expected to be introduced in the 2026 legislative session. Ferguson’s plan targets persistent gaps: as of July 3, Washington’s FAFSA completion rate for the class of 2026 was 50.7%, below the national average despite rising 11.6% year over year. The governor also directed the Washington Student Achievement Council to set a statewide FAFSA completion goal effective 2026–2027 and report progress by October. K–12 districts in Washington have already experimented with similar requirements, which the governor’s office says improved submission rates. The proposal’s next hurdle is legislative approval in a Democratic-controlled legislature.