3 days ago
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.
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