Arizona college-going initiatives
The Arizona Board of Regents has three initiatives designed to assist Arizona high schools help seniors apply to college, complete financial aid applications, and celebrate students as they make their final postsecondary education decisions. These campaigns aim to empower and support students in their journey toward higher education and successful career paths.
Arizona College Application Campaign
A statewide effort to support graduating seniors apply for college during the school day.
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Arizona FAFSA Challenge
A statewide goal to increase FAFSA completion. Provides workshops and resources to schools and students.
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Arizona Decision Day
Celebrates graduating seniors every spring for making educational plans beyond high school.
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Arizona College Connect
The state's FAFSA database
Arizona College Connect is an interactive, customized communications portal providing high school leaders with access to students' Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data and other college attainment information. Completing a FAFSA form is one of the strongest predictors of whether a student will pursue postsecondary education after high school.
Awards and Recognition
To commend and highlight the efforts of high schools involved in Arizona College Application Campaign and the FAFSA Challenge, the Arizona Board of Regents and its FAFSA partners recognize and honor schools that are supporting students on their college-going journey. Through this recognition, the program encourages a healthy spirit of competition among educational institutions, fostering an environment where students receive the necessary support and guidance to confidently pursue their higher education dreams.
The Innovative Player award recognizes an Arizona high school each month during the FAFSA season its efforts in increasing their FAFSA completion rates.
- Nomination – Anyone can submit a nomination! Counselors, teachers, students, parents and the community are encouraged to nominate a deserving school!
- Award – Students from each winning high schools will be eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship if they complete the FAFSA and submit an essay. One student will be selected per school. The scholarship is courtesy of Ask Benji, Arizona’s FAFSA chatbot.
- Requirements – Winning schools must provide information on FAFSA strategies that have encouraged their seniors to complete the FAFSA. These best practices will be featured in a blog post with educators across the state.
The Most Valuable Player is awarded to the school with the highest FAFSA completion rate within their senior enrollment category, while the Most Improved is awarded to the school that has the largest FAFSA completion rate increases. This honor is awarded at the conclusion of the school year to one small, medium, and large high school in each category, celebrating their exceptional contributions as leaders in FAFSA completion, both in terms of their exceptional contributions as leaders in FAFSA completion, and their overall performance and year-over-year progress.
- Nomination – These awards are based on the end of the year FAFSA completion data. Track student completion rates using Arizona College Connect, the state’s FAFSA database.
- Award – Each winning school will receive three laptops to gift deserving students on their campus.
- Requirements – Winning schools must be a participant in the Arizona College Connect.
