1. FAFSA Completion Project
FAFSA Completion PortalFAF

2. Millions Left on the Table Annually
Alabama ( )
US ( )
44% of HS graduates not completing the FAFSA
20,163 graduates did not complete the FAFSA
12,130 PELL Grant-Eligible Graduates did not complete the FAFSA (Over 60%)
Average PELL Grant in = $3,737
Total PELL Grant Money Left on the Table in Alabama = $45,330,172
36% of HS graduates not completing the FAFSA
49% of HS graduates Eligible for PELL Grant
Average PELL Grant in = $3,583
Total PELL Grant money left on the table in US = $2,300,000,000

3. Why This Matters
FAFSA is the primary way to receive grants and scholarships.
FAFSA is the only way to borrow federal student loans, which tend to have lower interest rates, more repayment options and borrower protections.
Missing out could mean taking on more debt.
Students heavily in debt less likely to make major purchases.
US DOE reports that 90% of students nationwide who complete a FAFSA matriculate into a postsecondary education/training pathway within 12 months.
Students who don’t earn a postsecondary degree or other industry- recognized credential don’t qualify for high-wage, high-demand jobs.
Alabama needs a better educated, more highly credentialed workforce!

4. Origins of the FAFSA Completion Portal
FAFSA Completion Collective Impact Initiative (FCCII)
Participating States
Colorado received a Kresge Foundation grant and created an online tool for the secure matching and distribution of student level data for the purpose of FAFSA Completion.
Accurately matches FAFSA applications with student enrollment data for secondary schools/districts (4% error rate).
2011, first year of implementation – CO saw a 5% increase in FAFSA completions statewide.
Arizona (PLC)
New Mexico (Tool & PLC)
Colorado (Tool & PLC)
New Dakota (Tool & PLC)
Delaware (PLC)
Georgia (Tool & PLC)
North Carolina (PLC)
Idaho (Tool & PLC)
Oregon (PLC)
Illinois (PLC)
Utah (Tool)
Maine (PLC)
Washington (PLC)
Maryland (PLC)
Washington, D.C. (PLC)
Michigan (PLC)
West Virginia (PLC)
Minnesota (Tool & PLC)
Wisconsin (PLC)
Mississippi (PLC)
Wyoming (Tool & PLC)
Montana (PLC)
New! Alabama (Tool & PLC)
Nebraska (Tool & PLC)
“With the support of The Kresge Foundation, The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), has developed an online tool to help counselors better assist high school seniors to successfully complete the FAFSA. This tool allows counselors, principals and mentors access to provide more targeted assistance to their students. This tool is instrumental in increasing FAFSA completion rates for students -- especially first generation students pursuing postsecondary options.”
[Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education, ]
The US Department of Education shows a strong correlation exists between FAFSA completion and college enrollment.
[Source: US Dept of Ed, ]

5. This is why it’s important…the completion rate across the state isn’t good. It can be improved, and that’s the reason for this project.

6. Process Flow Diagram Process Flow Diagram Continue process as needed.
ACHE
Compares/Matches data using Colorado developed software to see who has completed FAFSA
Connect EDU
ACHE Downloads Federal FAFSA Data
Federal FAFSA Database
AL Dept of Education
Submits student data to ACHE
Participating Districts request and receive participation reports
School Districts
Student Applies for Federal Financial Aid using a FAFSA
Authorized staff work with Students that have
an incomplete application or have not applied
High Schools

7. FAFSA Website- User Circles & Access
Public Access
Approved Users
Public Access
Summary
Resources
Approved Users
Details
Local Access Managers (LAM)
Manage Users
Load Users
Load User Permissions
ACHE Staff
Manage Data
Load Schools, ISIR, Students
Manage Resources
Manage Statistics
Local Access Managers
ACHE Staff

8. Public Access/View

10. Birmingham City Schools
This is what the public will see.

11. Local View District View
School
First Name
Last Name
State ID
DOB
Completed FAFSA
FAFSA Detail
Date App Submitted
Selected for Verification
District X
School 1
Student A
No Parent Signature
Missing parent signature on FAFSA or SAR (Reject Code 15)
##/##/## Y
Student B
Complete
Complete FAFSA Application N
School 2
Student C
Not Complete
Incomplete FAFSA Application
Student D
“Approved Users,” such as guidance counselors and volunteers, will see student data just for their school.
“Local Access Managers,” the district folks (such as the superintendent,) will see student data for all the schools in their district.
Local View
District View

12. Managing Users

13. Add User

14. Add User Only district reps are permitted to add Authorized users.
Only schools in your district will be listed.
From the “Role” pull down menu, there’s just the one option, “Authorized User”

18. Important Notes About the Portal
Updated every two weeks.
Only reflects data for students who have submitted an application.
All personally-identifying information from USDE removed and resulting database accessible by authorized users is stored on separate secure server.
Finds the first error reported for any FAFSA application and reports that. Other errors may exist.

22. Estimated New Money for College As of March 2, 2018 Over Same Date Last Year
1,504 ×0.60 ×$3,737 =
$ 3,372,268.80

23. ACHE Summary of 2014-2015 Alabama Public High School Graduates
Enrolled in College per National Student Clearinghouse
District
Cohort
# NotEnrolled
% NotEnrolled
Entire State
48,416
17,415
36%

24. Next Steps by ACHE
Continued promotion of the web application and services.
More regional demonstrations in collaboration with the Alabama Community College System.
Local training with secondary school systems as requested.
Refinement of processes and procedures.

25. Questions?

26. Helpful Resources Alabama Possible – AlabamaPossible.org
National College Access Network – CollegeAccess.org
FSA Financial Aid Toolkit - FinancialAidToolkit.ed.gov

27. Mr. Ron Leonard Ron.Leonard@ache.Alabama.gov 334-242-2211
ACHE Point of Contact
Mr. Ron Leonard

28. ACCS Point of Contact Dr. Vicky Ohlson Vicky.Ohlson@accs.edu

29. Alabama Possible Point of Contact
Ms. Kristina Scott
Executive Director