§ 16-96-6. Notice to be given regarding applications for student financial assistance.

(a) On and after July 1, 2023, the guidance department of every public or private high school in the state shall ensure that notices (the €œnotice€) are provided to students and their parent, guardian, or responsible adult, regarding the merit and benefits of completing and filing the FAFSA form (the €œFAFSA€) and the Rhode Island alternative financial aid application form (the €œalternative application€). This notice shall be provided in either the student€™s junior year or no later than November 1 of the student€™s senior year. The guidance department shall determine the form for providing the notice that shall best ensure the information is communicated both to the student and to the student€™s parent, guardian, or responsible adult.

(b) The form of the notice may include, but shall not limited to, a written paper or hard copy writing or an electronic copy. The notice may be provided in multiple formats. A hard copy of the notice shall be kept in the student€™s file.

(c) The notice shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) A general explanation of what the FAFSA and the alternative application are;

(2) The potential merit to and benefits of completing and submitting a FAFSA or alternative application, including, but not limited to, the awarding of financial aid, income or need-based aid, merit and other scholarship money, the Promise Scholarship, and Pell Grants, to pursue postsecondary education;

(3) A general discussion on what financial aid is and the many forms it can take;

(4) General instructions on how to complete each form; and

(5) Links to the applicable websites shall also be included.

(d) The notice may include referrals to organizations, websites, and other resources to provide more detailed instructions on the completion of the forms.