WADESBORO — Anson High School and Anson Early College are competing against hundreds of high schools across the state to increase their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates as part of North Carolina’s First in FAFSA Challenge.
This inaugural N.C. First in FAFSA Challenge is sponsored by myFutureNC, Carolina Demography, College Foundation of North Carolina, College Advising Corps, the Hunt Institute and the John M. Belk Endowment. The challenge’s goal is to increase FAFSA completion rates in every high school across the state and motivate students to take advantage of free federal aid.
NC First in FAFSA Challenge is a fundamental step to help reach the state’s goal of two million North Carolinians having a high-quality credential or post-secondary degree by 2030.
High schools are now competing against schools of similar sizes and types for the highest FAFSA completion rate. Winners will receive a $500 grant in the following categories: highest percentage of completed FAFSAs, highest percent increase in FAFSA completion rate and best FAFSA completion strategy.
About 500 of N.C. public high schools registered for the challenge and as of April 16, 46.9% of N.C. students have completed their FAFSA, according to the myFutureNC website.
In Anson County, 15.39% of Anson’s Early College students and 23.13% of Anson High School students completed the FAFSA.
Schools can keep track of their progress with the NC First in FAFSA Tracker to identify areas of need and create targeted efforts to reach all students.
“The FAFSA is the first step to free or affordable college so we are thrilled to see 100% of our school districts across North Carolina participating in our First in FAFSA Challenge,” Cecilia Holden, CEO of myFutureNC, said in a press release. “We are especially grateful to the district leaders, school principals, counselors, faculty, and staff at these high schools who are helping so many students and their families complete the FAFSA and take that first step for a lifetime of opportunity and success.”
The challenge will run to June 30 and the winners will be announced by July 31.
For more information on NC First in FAFSA, visit myfuturenc.org/first-in-fafsa/.