LGBTQI+ Inclusive Data Collection on FAFSA Forms
GLSEN, in partnership with the National Women’s Law Center and other LGBTQI+ groups, submitted a comment to the Department of Education urging them to adopt additional provisions to protect LGBTQI+ students filling out the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Accurate data on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics (SOGI-SC) is invaluable information that helps government agencies craft evidence-based policies and address disparities in economic and educational attainment, but collection of this data must be mindful of the specific privacy needs of LGBTQI+ respondents. GLSEN recommends that the FAFSA form include a voluntary, supplemental survey to collect relevant SOGI-SC information.