New London — Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday announced proposed legislation aimed at halting the drop in enrollment to state colleges and other postsecondary institutions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

One part of the proposals would see Connecticut join a growing number of states that require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, known as the FAFSA, or a waiver in order for a student to graduate from high school.

The form is a requirement for anyone looking to qualify for federal financial aid, though not everyone believes they qualify so they simply skip the FAFSA and end up unnecessarily paying out of pocket, Connecticut Colleges and Universities interim President Jane Gates said.

“Governor Lamont’s proposal is a simple change that could make a big difference in the lives of our students,” Gates said.

Gates was among a handful of state legislators and education officials to join Lamont in a news conference Thursday to announce the proposal and other measures aimed at increasing postsecondary enrollment and remove roadblocks, particularly among first-generation, low-income and minority students.

Postsecondary enrollment in Connecticut during the pandemic has followed the national trend and declined by 3.5%, data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows. FAFSA completion among high school seniors is down 8%.

Attending the news conference was Lizbeth Polanco, a senior at the Science & Technology Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut in New London, who credited school counselors and teachers with providing guidance and “encouraging me not only to apply for college but also encouraging me to think about how I would pay for it.”

She said her FAFSA application gained her financial aid and opened up possibilities for outside scholarships.

Lamont’s proposal, part of a workforce development and education legislation to be presented to the General Assembly later this month includes the following initiatives:

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Creating an auto-admission program at the four campuses of the Connecticut State Universities to increase access to college for academically prepared high school students by simplifying the application process and removing application fees;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Increasing access to Advanced Placement, dual credit, early college and other high-quality courses by requiring that districts not prohibit students from taking such courses based solely on prior academic performance, and that districts automatically enroll students in advanced coursework if a student is academically prepared;[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Creating an expanded transit pass program, similar to the UPass program used by students at the state’s public colleges and universities, that is open additional institutions including the state’s private universities and other training providers.[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

“It’s about affordability and access, all through the lens of equity, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Lamont said.

“We must prioritize postsecondary enrollment so that our students are earning degrees and credentials that get them into the workforce and contributing to Connecticut’s economy. These students represent our future, and the stakes are too high if we do not act now to mitigate these losses even further,” Lamont said in a statement.

Dr. Kelli Vallieres, executive director of the Office of Workforce Strategy and vice chairperson of the Governor’s Workforce Council, said the pandemic has been a significant disruptor that “needs immediate attention to mitigate further loss.”

She said the University of Connecticut had partnered with the Governor’s Workforce Council to create the UConn Alliance Pathway. Participating Alliance Schools will annually identify and share the names of students in the top 10% of their class or who are among the top 10% of free and reduced-price lunch recipients. UConn will target those students for support, such as workshops to assist in applications and FAFSA completion. An application fee waiver will be granted to any student who is identified by the schools.

UConn President Thomas Katsouleas said the program will enhance the school’s ability to “identify, recruit and support very talented and deserving students from across the state of Connecticut.”

Additional initiatives in the legislation include coordination of workforce development policies, creation of more short-term training programs in high-demand industries and the launch of a registry that will contain all secondary and postsecondary credentials offered in the state.

g.smith@theday.com