Finishing FAFSA: Leveraging Effective Strategies to Support the Class of 2025

A couple months into the 2025-26 FAFSA cycle, the Class of 2025 has submitted over 17,000 FAFSAs, meaning close to 29% of Alabama’s seniors are on their way to determining their financial aid eligibility. Major improvements were made to the FAFSA form following a challenging year characterized by technical glitches and delays. With a more streamlined form to complete, families are hopefully encountering less difficulty with the financial aid application process.

Despite improvements to the form, high school educators and college access advisors know the importance of providing meaningful support throughout the financial aid process. Each year, the Alabama Goes to College campaign recognizes high schools with the highest rates of FAFSA completion. Our case studies highlight award-winning schools and the strategies they employ to support seniors with financial aid-related tasks. We hope these ideas will serve as inspiration to finish the FAFSA strong by customizing the activities you host and strengthening the resources you provide to families during the remainder of the academic year.

Featured schools:

• Geneva County High School – Extra Small School MVP

• Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School – Small School MVP

• Ramsay High School – Medium School MVP

• Chelsea High School – Large School MVP

• Vestavia Hills High School – Extra Large School MVP

• Lamar County High Intermediate – Extra Small School Runner Up

• Guntersville High School – Small School Runner Up

• Hartselle High School – Medium School Runner Up

• Fairhope High School – Large School Runner Up

• Auburn High School – Extra Large School Runner Up