FAFSA applications up this year

Extra Ohio highschool college students accomplished the Free Utility for Federal Pupil Assist (FAFSA) this yr, suggesting a university enrollment uptick might be coming after a pandemic stoop.

• Charges are up in over half of Central Ohio districts, with many trending above a state-average 61%, per new state knowledge for the Class of 2022.

Why it issues: Extra accomplished FAFSAs not solely means extra excessive schoolers are contemplating school, but in addition that potential college students shall be absolutely knowledgeable of their help choices.

• It is a precedence for the state, which awarded $1.8 million final yr to varsity entry teams, academic service facilities and schools to encourage extra FAFSA completion.

The way it works: College students present household demographic and monetary info for the federal government to find out in the event that they’re eligible for federal grants or scholar loans.

What’s extra: FAFSA completion is a prerequisite for a lot of scholarships, together with these awarded immediately from schools.

• College students who do not end it might be leaving cash on the desk, Kirsten Crotte, Otterbein College’s senior director of monetary help, tells Axios.

Zoom in: Columbus seniors registered a large completion leap of 35%, as much as 94% complete.

• One issue: The Class of 2022 is the primary to take part in Columbus Promise, a partnership offering free tuition to Columbus State Neighborhood School that requires FAFSA completion.
• Over 600 graduates enrolled — double the variety of CCS grads who attended Columbus State final yr.

Of be aware: The charges posted by the Ohio Division of Larger Training is probably not actual, a spokesperson tells Axios.

• They’re calculated utilizing the grade 12 scholar headcount that districts report every October, however enrollment usually fluctuates all year long.

In the meantime, school entry program I Know I Can has been reconnecting with Columbus college students by means of household workshops, classroom shows and promo tables at sporting occasions and graduations.

What they’re saying: Advisers assembly with college students in particular person, publish pandemic shutdowns, “makes a world of distinction” and prevents them falling by means of the cracks, Ashley Logan, I Know I Can director of faculty advising, tells Axios.

The newest: The Class of 2023 FAFSA opened Oct. 1 and early figures counsel a nationwide enhance, Forbes reviews.