For 27 years, Thomas Westcott has helped generations of Owego Free Academy students turn their post-secondary ambitions into reality. Now, the state is recognizing his decades of dedication and expertise.
The State University of New York (SUNY) recently named Westcott as one of just 14 high school counselors selected for its inaugural cohort of SUNY College Access Ambassadors. Chosen from a competitive field of over 125 applicants across New York State, Westcott will represent the Southern Tier as SUNY works to elevate college readiness and financial aid completion for all New York families.
The Ambassador initiative comes at a critical moment for high school seniors across the state. Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s Universal FAFSA policy, graduating high school seniors are encouraged to complete financial aid paperwork to ensure no student misses out on available federal or state funding.
For Westcott, the appointment carries both professional passion and personal significance.
“I was honored to be one of the fourteen counselors selected for this initiative, and I look forward to sharing my 27 years of experience in school counseling to help develop and strengthen initiatives focused on FAFSA completion and college access,” Westcott shared. “It was especially meaningful to be part of this opportunity because I am also a product of the SUNY system. I know firsthand how important it was for me to have access to a high-quality, affordable education, and I’m excited to help provide that same opportunity for today’s students.”
Closing the Financial Aid Gap
Navigating financial aid forms like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) can often feel daunting for students and their parents. Yet access to financial aid remains one of the biggest factors in college attendance. More than 50% of SUNY resident undergraduates attend tuition-free thanks to financial aid, and 36% receive federal Pell grants.
Studies show that counselor guidance is crucial: 87% of students who consult with a high school counselor complete their FAFSA, compared to 59% of students who navigate the process alone.
As a SUNY College Access Ambassador, Wescott will join counselors from districts across New York—from New York City to Plattsburgh—to collaborate on strategies that increase financial aid completion rates, host informational workshops, and share successful counseling methods statewide.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. praised the vital role counselor leadership plays in student success: “Through initiatives like the College Access Ambassadors, SUNY is ensuring New Yorkers have the resources they need to complete their financial aid forms. The dedicated high school counselors selected to be College Access Ambassadors will help connect students to financial aid, so they can achieve their dreams through an affordable, excellent SUNY education.”
A Win for Owego Free Academy and the Community
Westcott’s recognition highlights the high level of support students receive within the Owego Apalachin Central School District. By bringing insights from statewide leadership back to OFA, Wescott will continue to ensure local students are well-equipped to take advantage of expanding financial aid opportunities—including recent state budget increases that raised TAP income thresholds and doubled minimum awards.
"High school counselors serve as a critical conduit for higher education, especially for first-time and first-generation students navigating the complexities of financial aid," noted State Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon in reaction to the program launch. "By empowering them as College Access Ambassadors, SUNY is widening the doors of opportunity for students across the state."
As the new academic year gets underway, Owego Free Academy families can look forward to expanded support and resources, anchored by a counselor who has spent nearly three decades opening doors for local youth.
Click here to read the SUNY Press Release about the Ambassador Program: https://www.suny.edu/suny-news/press-releases/9-26/9-18-26/college-access-ambassadors-program.html.