The Arizona Board of Regents and College Ready AZ, in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona College Attainment Network, invite you to attend the 2026 College Ready AZ Conference: Promise, FAFSA and Access!
What to expect
The 2026 College Ready AZ Conference: Promise, FAFSA and Access builds on the annual FAFSA Symposium educators and counselors look forward to each year. Due to strong statewide interest, we’ve outgrown our space at Arizona State University and are moving the convening to a larger venue, the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown.
We’ve also expanded to a two-day format, kicking off with a preconference session on Thursday, Sept. 10, featuring Bill DeBaun, senior director of data and strategic initiatives at National College Attainment Network, followed by an AzCAN networking event.
The full conference will take place Friday, Sept. 11, with expanded learning and networking opportunities taking place throughout the day.
We are also excited to unveil an updated College Ready AZ platform with enhanced navigation, information and graphics – informed by feedback from counselors and educators.
Call for proposals
Submit a proposal for the 2026 College Ready AZ Conference: Promise, FAFSA and Access and help shape statewide strategy by influencing how Arizona supports students in accessing and completing education and training beyond high school.
This is an opportunity to showcase your expertise alongside leading practitioners and national voices in college access and FAFSA completion, while elevating proven practices that drive measurable improvements in student outcomes.
Selection is competitive, and priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate clear impact, innovation, and scalability. We are seeking high-quality, data-informed, and actionable sessions aligned to the following focus areas:
FAFSA Completion, Promise Program & Financial Aid Access
- Scalable strategies to increase FAFSA completion (i.e., FSA ID support, targeted campaigns, event models)
- Removing barriers for students and families navigating financial aid
Data-Driven Decision Making
- Using real-time or longitudinal data to improve FAFSA completion and postsecondary outcomes
- Translating data into actionable school- or system-level strategies
College & Career Readiness Systems
- Evidence-based approaches to strengthening advising, planning, and postsecondary transitions
- Integrating FAFSA completion into broader CCR efforts
Family & Community Engagement
- Effective models for engaging families in financial aid and postsecondary planning
- Culturally responsive outreach and communication strategist
Student-Led Solutions & Peer Engagement
- Using student leaders as a capacity-building strategy to expand peer engagement and strengthen school-wide CCR efforts and outcomes
Session proposals will be accepted through May 29th.
Schools and partner organizations are encouraged to invite peer coaches and student leaders to attend alongside their counseling and educator teams. Student leaders will have the opportunity to participate in sessions designed to strengthen their role as ambassadors for postsecondary planning and access. We’ll provide registration portals for you to register students as part of the general registration process.
This free event is designed for high school counselors, college and career specialists, college access professionals and student leaders from across Arizona.
Counselors and college access professionals will have the opportunity to engage with programming focused on tools, data and best practices they can take back to their schools and communities.
Schools and partner organizations are encouraged to invite peer coaches and student leaders to attend alongside their counseling teams. Student leaders will have the opportunity to participate in sessions designed to strengthen their role as ambassadors for postsecondary planning and access.