The Arizona FAFSA Challenge
"Last year, 43 percent of Arizona seniors completed a FAFSA. Our goal this year to increase that to at least 50 percent so more students can take their education to the next level and be successful in the workforce."
Governor Ducey, September 2018
Increased participation in diverse levels of postsecondary education by Arizona's graduating high school seniors is necessary to provide a workforce that fuels a growing economy and leads to a better life for students and their families. Governor Ducey has adopted the Achieve60AZ goal as part of his education agenda. As a result, Governor Ducey has provided financial support to the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) to create the College and Career Goal Arizona programs, a 4-point statewide student momentum chain from high school to college and career. The C2GA brings together Title 1 high schools, postsecondary institutions, and their communities together to support low-income students and their families in applying and gaining financing for their chosen postsecondary education and career opportunities.
Along with the ACPE, Governor Ducey is partnering with the Helios Education Foundation's College Knowing and Going Initiative, College Success Arizona, Arizona College Access Network (AzCAN), Northern Arizona College Access Network, the Metropolitan Education Commission, the Arizona Assocation of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the Arizona School Counselors Association to carry out this work. The four main objectives are:
- Coordinate the statewide College Application Campaign (AzCAC) for the purpose of increasing the number of students applying for postsecondary education experiences.
- Coordinate the statewide College Goal FAF$A events for the purpose of increasing the number of FAFSAs filed by Arizona's high school seniors.
- Provide student level FAFSA Completion data in the form of FAFSA Finish Line reports to secondary schools, local education agencies and designated entities for the purpose of increasing FAFSA completions.
- Coordinate the statewide AZ FAF$A Challenge to promote and increase FAFSA completions to the state goal of 50% through the use of an interactive dashboard and website, financial incentives and challenges, trainings and webinars.
On September 21, 2018, Governor Ducey joined the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education, Helios Education Foundation, College Success Arizona, Achieve60AZ, and the Arizona College Access Network to announce a goal for FAFSA completion for the 2018-19 school year: 50 percent of Arizona’s high school seniors would complete the FAFSA by June 30, 2019.
Find out more about the Arizona FAFSA Challenge!
What can high schools and districts do?
Sign up to receive FAFSA completion data
Host FAFSA completion events on campus
Participate in the AZ FAFSA Challenge
Encourage students to complete the FAFSA
Set a district and or high school FAFSA completion goal
Utilize the FAFSA completion data reports to promote FAFSA completion
What can students do?
Complete the FAFSA application
Inform your parents/guardians about the FAFSA
Work with your HS counselor to complete the FAFSA application
Participate in FAFSA and college-going events at your high school
Download the FAFSA application mobile app
Inform your parents/guardians about the importance of the FAFSA
Apply early- The FAFSA application is available OCT 1st.
What can the community do?
Volunteer for FAFSA events within your community
Participate in a FAFSA training workshop or webinar
Familarize yourself with the FAFSA application
Support the 50% FAFSA completion state goal
Collaborate with local schools and organizations to assist wth FAFSA and College-going events
Promote the importance of FAFSA
ARIZONA FAFSA CHALLENGE RESOURCES
Arizona FAFSA Challenge
FAFSA: Arizona's Higher Education Economic Engine
Arizona FAFSA Challange Brochure
Achieve60AZ Are You Ready Handout
College Goal Arizona Brochure
FAFSA & Financial Aid Resources
What is FAFSA?
FAFSA is the largest student financial aid program in the nation and is a part of the Federal Student Aid for the U.S. Department of Education.
Eligibility for FAFSA:
Any current or incoming college student is eligible for FAFSA. This includes U.S. citizens or residents who hold a green card. FAFSA does not discriminate against race, age, gender, disabilities, criminal background, or sexual orientation. Students with a military parent(s) killed in the line of duty after 9/11 in Iraq or Afghanistan are eligible. Click here to learn more.
Arizona's FAFSA Deadlines:
Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2018. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 15, 2018. Find out more here.
Why should I fill out the FAFSA form?
When do I fill out the FAFSA form?
Can I get an early estimate of my aid?
How do I fill out the FAFSA form?
What happens after I fill out the FAFSA form?
Arizona 529 College Savings Plan
The Arizona Family College Savings Plan is a state sponsored 529 plan designed to provide a parent, grandparent or future student an opportunity to save for educational expenses in a tax-deferred manner. The State of Arizona also provides an annual Arizona state income tax deduction for 529 plan contributions of up to $2,000 for individual tax filers, and up to $4,000 for married couples filing jointly.
NEWS
Arizona FAF$A Challenge: November 2018 Newsletter
FAFSA Completion Progress
Arizona is making great momentum in FAFSA completions for the 2018-2019 school year! Looking at October 1st through November 2nd, the state is at an 18 % FAFSA Completion rate. Over 75 College Goal FAF$A events were held throughout the state in the month of October! In order to keep this momentum going and achieve the state goal of 50% for this year, schools are encouraged to continue their FAFSA completion efforts. Collaborative efforts are key - work with counselors, teachers, staff, and administration to set a FAFSA completion goal for your high school and create a plan of action to achieve your goal.
Most Innovative Player - October 2018
The Governor’s Office of Education and The Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education are honored to award the October 2018 Innovative Player recognition to Millennium High School! This award is a state recognition for going above and beyond to increase your school’s FAFSA completion rate and ensure more Arizona students are equipped to pursue postsecondary enrollment.
With Millennium High School's continued efforts, we look forward to watching their FAFSA completion rate grow throughout the school year! Thank you to Millennium High School for an amazing job well done, and for kicking off the FAFSA season as this month’s Most Innovative Player!
Click here to access the November newsletter.
Arizona FAFSA Challenge geared to promote postsecondary education
September 27, 2018
On Friday, Sept. 21, education leaders statewide met at Arizona State University to discuss the importance of increasing FAFSA application completion in Arizona.
FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form that students can complete to apply for financial assistance such as federal grants, work-study programs and loans.
Education leaders and foundations statewide work to promote the Arizona FAFSA Challenge, which is geared toward increasing FAFSA completion. (Read More...)
FAFSA launches new mobile application
September 24, 2018
As the opening of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid draws closer, state and federal agencies are preparing to make the laborious process faster and more convenient than ever before.
The application, which used to take over an hour to complete, is now going mobile — with an app expected to launch Oct. 1.
Clare McCann, the deputy director for federal higher education policy at New America, a non-partisan think tank, said the app would help cut down time and could give access to people who traditionally face problems accessing the app. (Read More...)
2019/20 FAFSA Form Launched October 1
The 2018–19 FAFSA form became available on Oct. 1, 2017, while the 2019–20 FAFSA form will be available on Oct. 1, 2018. (Find out more...)
Arizona to Strive for 50 Percent FAFSA Completion Goal
September 21, 2018
Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education announces goal that 50 percent of high school seniors would complete the FAFSA.
Community Partners Come Together for Arizona FAFSA Challenge
September 20, 2018
2018 Arizona ACT Summit
The 2018 Arizona ACT Summit, Making an Investment in Career and College Readiness, will be in Phoenix on Tuesday, December 4. Register to learn about key education and workforce initiatives to help drive college and career success.
Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education's FAFSA Initiative
The Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education is leading a statewide initiative to get more students to complete the FAFSA, by empowering high schools with data to support their students. Interested school and LEA leaders can learn how to participate here.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Federal Students Aid Office
College Scorecard
Deadlines
School Code Search
FAFSA Filing Options
Arizona Scholarships
eduPASS
International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search
Study in US
Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education
College Savings Planner
TYPES OF AID
| Type of Aid | Available For Undergraduate Students | Available For Graduate Students | Available For International Students | Available For Online Campus Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarships Gift assistance awarded on the basis of merit and/or need. Does not require repayment. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grants Gift assistance awarded to qualified students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Does not require repayment. | Yes | Yes (only Federal TEACH Grant) | No | Yes (except Financial Aid Trust Grant) |
| Federal Work-Study Employment opportunities available for students with financial need. Does not require repayment. | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Hourly Employment Employment opportunities available for students with financial need. Does not require repayment. | Yes | Yes | Yes (with eligible Visa) | No |
| Student & Parent Loans Federal and private loan funds available to help meet educational expenses. Loans require repayment. | Yes | Yes | Yes (only private education loans with a US co-signer) | Yes |