North Carolina leads nation in FAFSA completion growth, state reports
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina is leading the country in growth in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completions this year, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid.
As of late June, FAFSA completions in North Carolina were up 11.1% compared to the same time last year, marking the highest growth rate among all states.
The increase includes all students completing the FAFSA, including high school seniors, current college students, and adult learners seeking financial aid opportunities.
“North Carolina’s growth is a testament to all the hard work education professionals and other partners are doing to ensure their students know about how to access financial aid and have the support they need to do so,” said Mary Shuping, executive director of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).
Shuping said the increase also reflects efforts to expand access to financial aid for adult learners across the state.
Completing the FAFSA is considered one of the most important steps for students seeking help paying for college. The application determines eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including Federal Pell Grants, North Carolina’s Next NC Scholarship, and the Need-Based Scholarship for Private College and University Students.
According to the NC FAFSA Tracker on CFNC.org, more than 62,000 North Carolina high school seniors had completed a FAFSA as of July 9, making them eligible for an estimated $122.5 million in federal Pell Grants.
Officials say improvements to the FAFSA process have helped increase completion rates this year. The U.S. Department of Education reports students are now completing the application in less than 15 minutes on average.
Recent updates include:
- Real-time FAFSA results that allow students to immediately see their Federal Pell Grant eligibility after submitting the form.
- The ability to create a StudentAid.gov account and complete the FAFSA on the same day.
- A simplified process for inviting contributors, such as parents or spouses, to provide required information.
“It’s our goal for every prospective college student to know what options are available to make paying for a higher education more manageable,” Shuping said. “It’s now easier than ever to do that, and that’s a win for the students and for the state of North Carolina.”
The NCSEAA has helped North Carolinians access education funding since 1965. The agency administers financial aid and savings programs, provides resources for students and families, and supports education professionals with financial aid information.
