Overview
The Financial Aid Outreach team has increased the number of submitted FAFSAs (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and maintained the percentage of students receiving financial aid. The addition of two coordinators to the Outreach team in March 2023 will further enhance financial aid accessibility. Next steps include educating students and families about the FAFSA Simplification Act and utilizing data-driven strategies to target underrepresented communities for outreach efforts to ensure all students have access to resources they need.
Accomplishments
- Achieved a 2.89% increase in the number of submitted FAFSAs by April of the award year; 31,781 in AY22 to 32,701 in AY23.
- Thirty-seven percent of ACC students received at least one form of financial aid in AY23, matching the percentage of students receiving aid the prior academic year.
- Expanded the Financial Aid Outreach team to include two full-time coordinators who will promote awareness, engage potential students, and provide personalized guidance to maximize financial assistance opportunities.
Impact
These accomplishments have had a profound impact on the students ACC serves. By boosting submitted FAFSAs and maintaining financial aid recipients, we ease the financial strain on students and families, thereby increasing access to higher education. Moreover, alleviating financial concerns enables students to focus more on their academic pursuits, leading to improved persistence and completion rates. We remain committed to sustaining and improving these efforts for continued positive outcomes.
Next Steps
- Educate students and families about the changes in the FAFSA process: With the passage of the FAFSA Simplification Act, the FAFSA process is set to become more straightforward and accessible. It is important for the Financial Aid Outreach team to educate students and families about these changes, so they are aware of the new process and can take advantage of the benefits. This can be done through informational sessions, webinars, and other outreach efforts.
- Use data-driven outreach strategies: With the increase in FAFSA applications, the Financial Aid Outreach team can use data-driven strategies to target outreach efforts. By analyzing demographic data, the team can identify underrepresented communities and target outreach efforts to those groups. This can help ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed in higher education.