Get Ready FAFSA Challenge

The Get Ready FAFSA Challenge is a competition designed to encourage participating Get Ready schools to increase their FAFSA completion rates. Modeled after successful FAFSA completion competitions from across the country, the Get Ready FAFSA Challenge has been developed to recognize partner schools for their success in improving FAFSA completion and helping more students gain access to the financial aid available to pursue a postsecondary education.

FAFSA Challenge Awards

• The 2024-25 FAFSA Challenge will take place from December 1, 2024 through May 2, 2025 and award winners in the following categories:
• Highest FAFSA Completion Rate (Small Schools): One $4,000 award will be given to the small-sized school (10-100 seniors) with the highest overall FAFSA completion rate.
• Highest FAFSA Completion Rate (Medium Schools): One $5,000 award will be given to the medium-sized school (101-250 seniors) with the highest overall FAFSA completion rate.
• Highest FAFSA Completion Rate (Large Schools): One $6,000 award will be given to the large-sized school (251-400+ seniors) with the highest overall FAFSA completion rate.
• Largest Year Over Year Percentage Increase: $3,000 awards will be given to the two schools with the largest percentage increase in FAFSA completions over the prior year.

School Eligibility

1. School must be an active Get Ready/GEAR UP Minnesota partner with a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
2. School must serve 50%+ Free and Reduced-Price Lunch students.
3. School must serve more than 10 seniors. Public FAFSA completion data for schools with 10 or less high school seniors is suppressed and cannot be counted.

FAFSA Completion Resources

Do you need additional resources to support FAFSA completion? Check out the resources below to find the support you need to improve FAFSA completion at your school.

Minnesota Goes to College: Find information about Ready, Set, FAFSA webinars, social media toolkits for College Knowledge Month, a list of free college applications, and more great resources for educators.

Minnesota FAFSA Tracker: The Office of Higher Education FAFSA Tracker Tool aids high school counselors and college access programs in providing targeted outreach to students who need to file the FAFSA.

Federal Student Aid FAFSA Help Topics: Provides detailed help for filling out the FAFSA form, offering instructions on various sections, common mistakes to avoid, and additional resources for applicants needing further assistance.

Federal Student Aid FAFSA Videos: Videos that answer common questions about the FAFSA, providing guidance on how to navigate the financial aid process.