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What is FAFSA completion for Iowa’s high schools?
Targeted data allows schools to identify seniors who have not completed or filed a FAFSA and offer follow-up assistance. Iowa College Aid provides student-specific data through partnerships with the U.S. Department of Education, the Iowa Department of Education, Area Education Agencies, and high schools.
Why is completing the FAFSA important?
The importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is seen in the strong correlation between FAFSA completion and college enrollment as well as in its necessity for students to receive financial aid. For many students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, completing a FAFSA is a critical step in making the possibility of college a reality.
A National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) survey provides evidence that FAFSA and postsecondary enrollment are connected. Notably, students from the lowest socioeconomic quintile who completed a FAFSA were 127 percent more likely to be enrolled in the fall following high school graduation than their counterparts without a FAFSA completion.
Whether students plan to attend college, join the military, or start employment after high school they, should consider completing a FAFSA in order to be knowledgeable of the amount of aid they are eligible to receive if they choose to pursue higher education at any point in time after graduation.
Aggregate FAFSA Completion Information
National FAFSA Completion Rates
Historical High School FAFSA Rates
How does Course to College support financing college?
Filing a FAFSA is only one step in process of financing a college education. FAFSA verification melt, understanding financial aid offers, and deciding which financial aid options to use are all part of the process too. Schools participating in the Course to College program receive supportive resources and materials through a Shared Resource Folder and technical assistance from Iowa College Aid to best use these resources. Resources for FAFSA completion and financial aid include weekly student-specific FAFSA reports, financial aid offer toolkits, a FAFSA verification guide, and more.
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How can I receive FAFSA completion data for my school/organization?
All public high schools in the state are able to receive student-specific FAFSA completion data through Iowa College Aid’s partnerships with the U.S. Department of Education, Iowa Department of Education, and the AEA PREP initiative. In order for public schools to receive this information, a designated contact, usually a school counselor, needs to complete an Authorization Form. Please email us with any questions or concerns regarding how to receive this information.
For other designated entities (TRIO Programs, non-public schools, etc.), program or agency directors must enter into a data sharing agreement with Iowa College Aid. These designated entities must select an employee to serve as their Data Custodian. The Data Custodian will be given access to the Iowa College Aid Processing System (ICAPS) to upload their students’ information and receive a report regarding FAFSA completion for those students.
Please email us for more information.