The U.S. Department of Education has announced an opportunity for school districts to participate in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion Project. Districts with two or more high schools are invited to apply no later than March 2, 2012, for the opportunity of being randomly selected to be a part of the FAFSA Completion Project.   

The FAFSA Completion Project was started in 2010 to assist local education agencies (LEA) in aiding high school seniors and their families in completing the FASFA. Research indicates that 90 percent of students who complete a FAFSA will enroll in a postsecondary institution. Through the FAFSA Completion Project, participating LEAs will have access to FAFSA completion data for high school seniors in their district to focus counseling services to students who have not completed and submitted a FAFSA. LEAs will also be provided with the information and tools to help students interested in pursuing postsecondary education.

The FAFSA Completion Project began with 20 participating school districts and, due to increased interest, the project will be expanded this year to include approximately 80 additional multiple-high school and 12 additional single-high school participants. Please note that a notice will be released soon inviting districts with a single high school to take part in the project.   

More information regarding the FAFSA Completion Project, as well as the technical and evaluation requirements for participation, can be found on the Federal Student Aid web site at http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/clcf/FAFSACompletion.html.

If you have further questions, please contact Dena Bates at FAFSACompletion@ed.gov.