The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has announced the launch of the first Nevada FAFSA Challenge. This statewide initiative aims to increase the completion rates of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) among high school seniors in Nevada.
The competition will take place from January 1 to March 31, 2025. It invites high schools involved in NSHE’s FAFSA Completion Initiative—a program that helps track students' FAFSA progress—to compete for the title of most improved FAFSA completion rate compared to the previous year. The winning school will receive a $1,000 prize and a recognition banner to display until the next challenge in 2026.
Schools achieving a 100% FAFSA completion rate will be recognized at an upcoming NSHE Board of Regents meeting and featured on both NSHE and Apply Nevada websites.
Amy J. Carvalho, Chair of the Board of Regents, stated, “The FAFSA is a critical first step for students seeking to unlock financial aid opportunities.” She added that this challenge encourages schools to assist their students in taking this step and improving their chances of reaching higher education goals.
NSHE Chancellor Patricia Charlton expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Nevada districts and high schools through this initiative. “We’re excited to launch this initiative and partner with Nevada districts and high schools to make the college application process more accessible,” she said.
All high schools enrolled in NSHE’s FAFSA Completion Initiative can participate in the competition. Schools not yet enrolled can still sign up for free by contacting Ashley Salisbury at asalisbury@nshe.nevada.edu.
Completing the FAFSA is crucial for accessing various forms of financial aid. Research indicates that seniors who complete it are significantly more likely to enroll in postsecondary education immediately after graduation. This makes initiatives like these important for improving college access and affordability in Nevada.
Participating schools can monitor their progress using the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) FAFSA tracker, ensuring transparency throughout the competition.