Back to ListingFAFSA Month: Empowering 鶹ѿstudents to unlock their future
January 2025 is FAFSA Month in 鶹ѿ— urging students and families to complete their 2025-26 FAFSA applications and secure financial aid needed for higher education success.
Governor Katie Hobbs has January 2025 as FAFSA Month in Arizona, underscoring the vital importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to unlock financial aid opportunities for postsecondary education.
Leading this statewide effort, the 鶹ѿ, in collaboration with the Governor’s Office and the AZ FAFSA Coalition, is spearheading initiatives to support students and families in navigating the FAFSA process. This collective push aims to ensure every eligible student has the resources, guidance and confidence to take this critical step toward achieving their college and career goals.
Nationally, efforts are also underway to increase FAFSA completions. The U.S. Department of Education has January 13-17, as “FAFSA Completion Week of Action,” a nationwide initiative aimed at inspiring students to complete the 2025-26 FAFSA form.
The FAFSA opens doors to essential financial aid resources, including scholarships, federal and state grants, work-study opportunities and loans, making higher education more accessible and affordable. By completing the FAFSA, students take a vital step toward overcoming financial barriers, building a brighter future and contributing to Arizona’s economic success through a highly educated and skilled workforce.
“Completing the FAFSA is key to unlocking opportunities like the 鶹ѿPromise Program, which waives college tuition and fees for eligible students,” said Julie Sainz, ABOR director of FAFSA and college initiatives. “The board is dedicated to increasing Arizona’s FAFSA completion rate, ensuring that all students have the support and opportunity to complete the form and get the financial aid they need to achieve their academic dreams.”
To further empower the education community, ABOR has launched its . Updated weekly, this publicly available tool offers a clear view of FSA ID creation and FAFSA completion rates amongst 12th graders at public high schools across Arizona. Organized by county and high school, the dashboards help educators and communities track progress and target support where it’s needed most.
As the 2025-26 FAFSA season progresses, ABOR is rolling out a variety of resources, tools and events designed to simplify the FAFSA process. These support initiatives aim to ensure that every student and family in 鶹ѿhas access to the guidance they need to succeed. Key resources include:
- : ABOR, the state’s public universities, community colleges and college access organizations are hosting regular in-person and virtual events and workshops on navigating the FASFA.
- : Students and families can sign up for one-on-one virtual appointments, available in English and Spanish, to get help with FAFSA completion and FSA ID creation.
- : ABOR has partnered with the 鶹ѿCactus League to offer free spring training game tickets to 鶹ѿ12th-grade students who complete the 2025-26 FAFSA.
- : 鶹ѿcounselors, educators and higher education professionals can stay up to date on the latest information, resources and events as 鶹ѿworks towards its FAFSA goals this application season.
For additional support with the college-going process, students and families are encouraged to visit . This comprehensive resource serves as a one-stop hub for expert guidance on planning, affording and applying to college in Arizona, empowering students to take the next step toward their educational goals.