Colorado sees uptick in FAFSA applications from high school students - Axios DenverLog InLog InAxios Denver is an Axios company.

Colorado sees uptick in FAFSA applications from high school students

Data: ; Chart: Alayna Alvarez/AxiosMore high school seniors in Colorado are considering going to college next fall following a three-year, pandemic-induced decline, new state data . Driving the news: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, opened Oct. 1 for the 2023-24 academic year, and thousands of students statewide have hopped on the opportunity. As of Oct. 19, about 10.4% of the state's estimated 70,000 seniors had completed the FAFSA, per the Colorado Department of Higher Education. The latest figures are more than 3 percentage points higher compared to the same time last year, department spokesperson Megan McDermott tells Axios Denver. Why it matters: An uptick in FAFSAs could signal a rebound for college enrollment levels next fall, and that prospective students will be fully informed of their aid options. This is a priority for the state, which recently wrapped up its fifth annual program for students applying to public colleges and universities.State lawmakers also last year to local education providers to boost FAFSA completion rates. How it works: Students provide family demographic and financial information for the government to determine if they're eligible for federal grants or student loans.FAFSA completion is a prerequisite for many scholarships, including those awarded directly from colleges. Students who don't submit it could be leaving money on the table. State of play: Colorado's FAFSA completion rate has slid in the last three consecutive academic years, state data shows. Just 43.3% of high school seniors submitted a FAFSA for the 2022-23 academic year compared with 48.9% for 2019-20. What's next: By 2026, the Colorado Department of Higher Education's goal is to , McDermott tells Axios Denver. The state's higher-ed department is a full-time FAFSA coordinator to help students get there. The big picture: Financial aid application submissions appear to be rising nationwide, early federal figures show. More than 4% of high school seniors across the country have submitted their forms, Forbes . Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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