Latest news with #NationalCollegeAttainmentNetwork
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
After FAFSA hiccups, more WV students completing the financial aid application
West Virginia's Free Application for Federal Student Aid completion rate stands at 49.8%. (Getty Images) More West Virginia students are completing the college financial aid application, known as the FAFSA, following pandemic interruptions and nationwide issues with the form over the last year. According to data tracked by the National College Attainment Network, the state's Free Application for Federal Student Aid completion rate stands at 49.8%. The state now ranks 15th in the nation for students completing the FAFSA, which is up from 19th last year, according to a news release from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Brian Weingart, senior director of financial aid at the commission, said the HEPC has worked side-by-side with schools, counselors and communities to make sure students had 'a clever path to financial aid.' HEPC credits the success to statewide partnerships. 'Whether it's through hands-on FAFSA events, real-time data tools, or text message nudges, we're meeting students where they are and helping them take that critical next step toward college. Behind every completed FAFSA is a student who's one step closer to their future,' he said. The federal government's 2024 botched rollout of the new FAFSA form prompted former Gov. Jim Justice to declare a state of emergency and suspended a requirement that college-bound high school seniors fill out the FAFSA in order to receive state financial aid, including the state's Promise Scholarship. Unlike some other states, West Virginia didn't have a statewide FAFSA mandate. Instead, the HEPC said it focused on strategic outreach and community engagement. A WV FAFSA day in February brought together more than 50 high schools and colleges. The organization also used 'TXT 4 Success,' a text message program that provides personalized guidance and nudges to help students stay on track with financial aid deadlines. 'West Virginia's success, and approach, offer a lot for other communities and states to learn from,' said Bill DeBaun, senior director at the National College Attainment Network in Washington. 'Thoughtful, coordinated efforts like these that support practitioners in districts and schools make a big difference.' West Virginia's Chancellor of Higher Education Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker added, 'We built momentum through strong partnerships with our schools and counselors, innovative tools and a shared commitment to our students' futures. I am deeply proud of our team and the many school counselors, educators, and families who have rallied around this cause. Together, we're showing what's possible when we put students first.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
West Virginia among top states for FAFSA completion
CHARLESTON, (WBOY) — West Virginia now ranks 15th in the nation for FAFSA completion, even without a statewide FAFSA mandate. According to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, West Virginia accomplished the number through strategic outreach, data-driven coordination and intentional community engagement. Some of the approaches include: The WV FAFSA Day, which brings together multiple high schools and colleges and increases public visibility The CFWV Champions of College Access and Success Challenge, which rewards schools for FAFSA completion benchmarks TXT 4 Success, a text message program that provides guidance to students Special tools and resources for counselors, including a FAFSA completion portal and regular updates Bill DeBaun, Senior Director at the National College Attainment Network in Washington, was happy to see West Virginia's numbers. These are the best schools in West Virginia, new 2025 report says 'West Virginia's success, and approach, offer a lot for other communities and states to learn from,' DeBaun said. 'Thoughtful, coordinated efforts like these that support practitioners in districts and schools make a big difference. West Virginia is expanding students' opportunities to access the financial aid that makes education after high school a more affordable possibility.' The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is what high school seniors fill out to learn if they are eligible for grants, scholarships, work-study programs and loans for college or career school. You can learn more about the FAFSA, its requirements and deadlines here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tennessee leads nation in FAFSA application rate
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee is topping the charts, not in music, but in the number of completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications. According to the nonprofit, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), the Volunteer State leads the nation in FAFSA completion. The state reported 75.7% of Tennessee Promise students completed the FAFSA, a record-breaking rate for Tennessee. 'I think a lot of educators try to teach and prepare students for the future, and college, attending college to further that education is one of their pathways beyond high school,' Jason Seay with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission said. FAFSA is federal financial aid to help students pay for college. Tennessee typically ranks in the top two or three in the country for its FAFSA completion rate. This year, the TN Higher Education Commission credits the state's 'all hands on deck' approach to its highest application completion rate yet. 'That tremendous network of college access organizations statewide that help students at the high school level, in addition to school counselors, educators, financial aid administrators,' Seay said. 'All that centered around that FAFSA Frenzy Campaign is something we rely on each and every year to become the leader in the nation of FAFSA completion.' In addition to the state's high FAFSA application completion rate, the Class of 2025 also saw a record-breaking number of students apply for the 'last dollar scholarship,' which covers tuition and other fees for community or technical college that the FAFSA doesn't. ⏩ The priority deadline for the FAFSA for the Tennessee Promise scholarship has passed, but other students participating in different programs still have time to apply for federal financial aid. To complete the FAFSA, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tennessee leads nation in FAFSA completion
Tennessee students lead the nation in completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, according to the nonprofit National College Attainment Network. The ranking was announced in a May 21 news release from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, which hailed the ranking as "a major milestone" as the state works to ramp up access to higher education. The application isn't just for securing federal aid — it's also required for all students who wish to receive any form of financial aid for college, including scholarships, grants and other assistance. "This recognition reflects the hard work of our schools, counselors, and communities across the state," commission director Steven Gentile said in the release. "Being number one in the nation shows what's possible when we prioritize student access to financial aid and higher education." The news comes after a federal overhaul of the FAFSA led to glitches and delays for students nationwide last year. The issues left financial aid decisions in limbo for millions. The commission also named 158 high schools statewide as "FAFSA Champions" for the 2024-25 school year in its annual FAFSA Challenge. The winning schools have a 90% or higher FAFSA completion rate or logged at least 5% in year-over-year growth for completion rates. See the complete list of Tennessee's FAFSA Champions and learn more at This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee leads nation in FAFSA completion
