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Groups sponsoring FAFSA Completion Competition

The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership is collaborating with NIPSCO to launch the third annual regional FAFSA Completion Competition for Northeast Indiana high schools. The competition runs through April 15.

The goal of the competition is to increase the number of high school students completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filling out the FAFSA, a government form that streamlines the college financial aid process, is a must to qualify for assistance and reduce student loan burden.

By 2030, Northeast Indiana is committed to achieving the following goals through its Vision 2030 plan:

• Increase per capita personal income annually against the national average.

• Increase the population of Northeast Indiana to 1 million.

• Increase postsecondary attainment to more than 60 percent.

The FAFSA Completion Competition aims to increase postsecondary high-quality degrees or credentials to 60 percent by the year 2030 by encouraging regional schools’ students to complete the FAFSA.

Three winning high schools will each be given a $1,500 scholarship to award to a graduating senior. There are three categories to win:

• Greatest overall growth – the school that experiences the highest growth in FAFSA submissions over the previous year.

• Growth of 5 percent or more – all schools that experience 5 percent or more growth over the previous year will be entered in a drawing for the scholarship.

• Completion rate of 75 percent or more – all schools that have a FAFSA completion rate of 75 percent or more will be entered in a drawing for the scholarship.

Schools that satisfy more than one category will be entered into the category that gives them the best chance of winning. Winners will be announced mid-May.

Eric Hoover, college funding analyst at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, says filing the FAFSA can get students eligibility for scholarships, grants, work study and low-cost federal student loans.

“For any student headed to college next year, Especially for 21st Century Scholars, filing the FAFSA could provide financial results ranging from a few dollars to a full ride,” Hoover adds.

Students and families can also receive help completing the FAFSA by going online to  www.fafsa.ed.gov or calling 800-433-3243.

To learn more, visit the website at www.neindiana.com/news.