After FAFSA issues, Arizona works to ready educators, students before applications open Dec. 1

The Arizona Board of Regents is trying to get ahead this year on providing information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

ABOR hosted a FAFSA and College Readiness Symposium at Arizona State University's Tempe campus on Friday, Sept. 13.

About 400 educators, high school counselors and college access professionals gathered to learn about the updates to this year’s form.

Last year, Arizona lagged behind even more than usual in the number of high school seniors who completed that form because of delays and glitches on the government’s part.

Roxanne Murphy, ABOR’s director of postsecondary attainment, said they want to make sure educators are as prepared as possible when the form opens Dec.1.

“And it’s [about] having the most up to date information, too," Murphy said. "The FSA ID process has changed this year. The FAFSA process has changed this year. So just opportunities like this to be able to share about the incredible resources.”

The event also included about 150 high school seniors who will act as peer coaches to help fellow students fill out the form.

“We have had this event before, but never at this magnitude," Murphy said. "So last year, we had a FAFSA kickoff that took place in December and this year we just wanted to elevate it and ensure that more educators as well as high school students could be here.”