Highest FAFSA Completion Rate Awarded to Sarasota County Schools

Sarasota County Schools won top honors in the large district category in a statewide campaign to increase the proportion of high school seniors completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2019-20 school year compared to the prior year. 

As of April 24, 47.6% of Sarasota County public high school seniors completed the FAFSA, giving the district the distinction of being named a Florida FAFSA Challenge MVP district for having the highest FAFSA completion rate in the state in the large school district category.

The FAFSA is required to apply for Pell Grant dollars and other federal, state and philanthropic grants and scholarships that help pay for college, making it a critical first step for students to access financial aid that will help them pursue their postsecondary plans.

The 2020 Florida FAFSA Challenge is an initiative of Florida College Access Network (FCAN) and conducted in Sarasota County by PLANit Sarasota, the Local College Access Network coordinated by the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

PLANit Sarasota is a collective impact collaborative whose purpose aligns with FCAN’s primary initiatives:  to help Florida students traditionally underrepresented in higher education continue their educations after high school; and to ensure that every student will graduate high school with a plan for life after high school.  

Jennifer Vigne, president of the Education Foundation, said, “While we celebrate the success of Sarasota County Schools earning the large school district MVP award, we also are sobered by the fact that less than half of all students actually completed the FAFSA. We will continue working together to increase the number of our students who complete the FAFSA to qualify for and receive the Pell grant and other funding opportunities available to them for their postsecondary education expenses.”

 Vigne added congratulations to PLANit Sarasota’s FAFSA Workgroup, led by United Way Suncoast Sarasota President Sue Wetzel, and other volunteers for their collective efforts that led to this important increase in local students who will be able to realize their postsecondary dreams.

The district’s completion percentage is significantly higher than the statewide rate of 38.7%, which translates to an estimated $155 million in Pell Grant dollars for Florida students, according to an FCAN analysis.

“We are thrilled to be named an official Florida FAFSA Challenge MVP district for the 2019-2020 school year,” said Dr. Laura Kingsley, chief academic officer/assistant superintendent of Sarasota County Schools. “Everyone should have access to high-quality education without barriers, and the FAFSA helps open doors to opportunity. Our school and community partner teams have done a tremendous job implementing college and career readiness workshops, curriculum, and opportunities for students and families, and we will continue to emphasize the importance of this application with our seniors. The school district is passionate about connecting all our students with the best resources to help them accomplish and exceed their college and career dreams.”