AZ FAF$A Challenge Newsletter
July 2020
Final FAFSA Completion Rate Update
Arizona established a 52% FAFSA completion goal at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. As of July 3, 2020, the state ended with a combined 46% FAFSA completion rate among the 429 high schools listed in the Arizona FAF$A Challenge dashboard. Despite the global pandemic that disrupted traditional spring semester learning and senior year activities, Arizona ’s 2020 seniors came in just 1% shy of the class of 2019’s 47% state FAFSA completion rate.
Arizona High School Class of 2020 FAFSA Stats
During the 2019-2020 school year, 110 College Goal FAF$A and College Application Campaign events took place.
An estimated 37,000 FAFSA’s were completed.
Of the 46% of Seniors who completed a FAFSA, more than half will qualify for a Pell Grant.
More than 18,000 Arizona seniors will have an estimated $75 million in Pell Grant money to pay for college.
The 54% of seniors who did not complete the FAFSA left an estimated $55 million of Pell Grant money on the table.
Note: Figures were calculated using data provided on the AZ FAF$A Challenge Dashboard and most recent statistical data from the U.S. Department of Education.
FAFSA Completion Dashboard and Website Updates
Updates are currently being made to the Arizona FAF$A Challenge dashboard. These new and exciting updates include a highlights page which will display all high schools within a district or charter holder so that users can compare FAFSA completion rates and benchmarks. In addition to tracking the state’s FAFSA completion rate, the dashboard will soon be able to track the estimated aggregate amount of Pell Grant eligibility of Arizona high school seniors based on FAFSA completion numbers statewide. Enhancements will also be added to the overall layout of the dashboard so that users can easily identify current and previous year FAFSA completion data. These exciting dashboard updates and enhancements will be available July 31st.
Virtual FAFSA Event Ideas
As high school's finalize their instruction plans for the fall, many have expressed that they will provide online learning models. With the shift to temporary online learning comes a shift in College Goal FAF$A and College Application events. To accommodate this change the ACPE is providing some virtual FAFSA event ideas below that high schools can implement as they prepare their students and parents for FAFSA season this fall. These virtual event ideas also include an engagement piece to promote participation among students and their families.
In addition, the ACPE is working with community and postsecondary partners to provide additional resources to assist high school students with the FAFSA and college application process. The ACPE will be sharing these resources in the coming weeks with high schools.
Idea #1: Virtual FAFSA Information Session
Host an online FAFSA information session for students and parents that explains what the FAFSA is, why it is important and what documents are needed to complete the application.
Student and Parent Engagement:
Students who attend the FAFSA information session can have their name put into a drawing for a prize. When parent(s) participate in the event, the student’s name can be put into the drawing twice to double their chances of winning a prize. During the webinar names can be drawn so that students and parents are actively engaged in the event.
Engagement and Knowledge Check: Throughout the event or after the presentation, ask students questions based on the information covered in the webinar to win a prize. This will allow high school staff to test the student's knowledge regarding the FAFSA information presented in the webinar and it provides a fun interactive engagement activity.
Idea #2: Virtual FSA ID Webinar
Host a step-by-step virtual session for seniors and their parents on how to create an FSA ID.
Student and Parent Engagement:
Students and/or parents who create an FSA ID can provide the confirmation page to their assigned teacher or high school counselor in order to receive credit for class and/ or have their names put in a raffle to win a prize.
If you are interested in receiving a PowerPoint presentation template that can be used to host a FAFSA information and/ or FSA ID webinar please email: acpe@azhighered.gov
FREE FAFSA Training
The Arizona College Access Network (AzCAN) and the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education will be hosting FREE FAFSA training webinars! Register for a FREE webinar training session today!
Click HERE to view the schedule and register for a variety of FAFSA training topics.
Upcoming Webinar:
High school counselors and staff are you interested in learning how to set a FAFSA completion goal, establish mini-FAFSA completion milestones, identify stakeholders, and create a calendar of activities to achieve those goals for the 2020-2021 school year? If so, join the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education on July 30th at 10:30am for a Strategic FAFSA Planning webinar. Click HERE to register!Contact Us
Email: azcpe2@gmail.com
Website: https://fafsachallenge.az.gov/
Location: 2020 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ,
Phone: (602) 542-7230
Facebook: facebook.com/collegegoalaz
Twitter: @collegegoalaz