Arizona FAFSA Challenge
The Arizona FAFSA Challenge is a statewide initiative designed to increase FAFSA completions in our state.
The Arizona FAFSA Challenge highlights and celebrates the exceptional efforts of Arizona high schools to embolden their seniors to complete this critical form.
FAFSA completion directly impacts a student’s access to higher education opportunities, and those who complete the FAFSA are more likely to enroll in college, persist in their coursework and successfully obtain a degree.
Ahead of the FAFSA application opening on December 1, the Arizona Board of Regents will be hosting FAFSA informational webinars to prepare school leaders as they guide their students through the critical steps of the financial aid process. Register below for this fall’s upcoming webinars.
Make sure to also sign up for the FAFSA and College Readiness Newsletter to stay up to date on the latest information, resources and events as Arizona prepares for the upcoming FAFSA application season.
The 2024-25 FAFSA Challenge will run from December 1-April 30. The challenge will culminate with statewide honors for the Arizona high schools that make the greatest impact on their students’ FAFSA rates.
Arizona FAFSA completion goal
Arizona is aiming to achieve a 48% FAFSA completion goal for the high school class of 2026.
With the 2025-26 FAFSA now open, we are confident that Arizona will reach this goal, ensuring more high school seniors have access to the financial aid they need to pursue education beyond high school. Together, we can achieve this goal!
Upcoming Counselor Webinar Events
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Event
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Date
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Time
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Register
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Thursday, September 18th, 2025
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10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
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Thursday, September 25th, 2025
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10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
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Thursday, October 2nd, 2025
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10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
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Resources
Awards and Recognition
To commend and highlight the efforts of high schools involved, the Arizona FAFSA Challenge recognizes and honors schools each year at the conclusion of the FAFSA season. These accolades celebrate their exceptional contributions as leaders in FAFSA completion, both in terms of their overall performance and year-over-year progress.
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.
Resource Handouts
- Why complete the FAFSA
- FAFSA Myths an Facts
- FAFSA Process Overview
- How to Create an FSA ID
- FSA ID Creation Step by Step with SSN
- FSA ID Creation Step by Step with no SSN
- FAFSA Materials Checklist
- Hosting a Successful FAFSA Workshop
- After the FAFSA
- What is Financial Aid Verification
- Inviting a Contributor
- Steps in the FAFSA Process
- FAFSA resources and Support
Power Point presentations with and scripts
StudentAid.gov / FSA ID
- FSA Financial Aid Tool Kit: https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/
- StudentAid.gov Account Basics Flyer
- StudentAid.gov Account How-To Flyer
- StudentAid.gov Account How-To Detailed Instructions
- StudentAid.gov Account How-To Detailed Instructions (Spanish)
- Step by Step PowerPoint to Create the FSA ID
- Step by Step PowerPoint to Create the FSA ID (Spanish)
- FSA ID Template
FAFSA
- The 2024-25 FAFSA Prototype URL: https://fasapartners.ed.gov/fafsa-prototype/2425 Access Code: prototype2425
- Parent Wizard (This tool helps determine which parent(s) should participate in a student’s FAFSA). https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-apply/parents
- 2025/26 Federal Student Aid Estimator: https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/
- Where To Find My 2023 Tax Information (2025–26) | Federal Student Aid
- College Ready AZ – FAFSA: https://collegereadyaz.com/fafsa/
- NCAN “Do the FAFSA” Campaign Kit: https://socialpresskit.com/dothefafsa
- FAQ on Student information collected for StudentAid.gov
- FAFSA Workarounds Handout
- FREE FAFSA Incentives
The Innovative Player award recognizes an Arizona high school each month during the FAFSA season for 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 school 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 Arizona College Connect.
Past Winners
