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The мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê Board of Regents has been awarded $1 million with funding from the U.S. Department of Education to enhance FAFSA completion efforts through the summer of 2024. Administered by the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC), this funding will support initiatives that assist мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê students and families in completing the FAFSA, a critical step in accessing higher education, especially for those seeking financial aid. 

The мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê FAFSA Coalition, led by мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê, includes postsecondary institutions, state and city partners, and college access organizations from across the state. They are all dedicated to promoting FAFSA completion. This award will help the coalition strengthen their ongoing efforts and provide new resources and supports to students and families during this challenging FAFSA cycle.

This award is part of the federal program, a $50 million nationwide initiative aimed at increasing FAFSA completions. Additionally, мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê Governor Katie Hobbs has contributed a one-time $500,000 grant to kickstart these efforts.

Federal delays and technical issues with the 2024-2025 FAFSA form have significantly impacted completions nationwide. мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê has been particularly affected, especially among first-generation, low-income, and mixed-status families. In response, мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê and the мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê FAFSA Coalition launched a statewide Finish Line to the FAFSA campaign in April to address the decline. Funding from Governor Hobbs enabled the campaign to expand FAFSA support and resources across the state, while the ECMC award allowed for the implementation of new FAFSA supports and interventions to strengthen these efforts. 

The campaign's four-pronged approach included:

1. Regional FAFSA workshops staffed by experts.
2. Expanded hours and support for virtual one-on-one FAFSA assistance appointments, along with the мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê FAFSA hotline.
3. Partnership with 12 high school districts statewide to provide gap funding, ensuring 51 counselors remained on campus through the summer to support the graduating class of 2024 with FAFSA completion.
4. A statewide social media and marketing campaign, featuring radio, print, and billboard advertisements to promote the FAFSA form and resources across all 15 counties.

The following coalition partners served as strategic partners to expand FAFSA efforts: Aliento, College Depot, Be A Leader Foundation, Education Forward мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê, and Northern мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê University. They enhanced outreach, provided additional resources, and leveraged their networks to ensure more students and families received the support needed to complete the FAFSA, boosting the campaign's impact across the state.

"Our coalition partners and high school districts have been exceptional over the past few months, playing an instrumental role in carrying out this critical work and providing much-needed support to мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê students and their families," said Julie Sainz, Director of FAFSA and College Access Initiatives at мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê. "These additional funds have allowed us to scale our efforts, assist more students and families."

Since the campaign's launch, мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê has seen a nearly 30 percent change increase in FAFSA completions among high school seniors, with about 17,000 additional students successfully completing the form. While challenges remain due to a delayed launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA and unresolved issues with the FAFSA form, these initiatives aim to provide continuous support to ensure that every student and family can complete this crucial form, paving the way for educational opportunities beyond high school.

For FAFSA assistance, students and families can visit . This resourceful webpage provides comprehensive support across the state, offering virtual one-on-one help for personalized guidance, text messaging support, a dedicated hotline, and in-person help at various locations throughout мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê. These services are designed to address the diverse needs of students and families, ensuring they have the support necessary to complete the FAFSA.