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The Maui News
Molokai and McKinley high schools have won the Federal Student Aid "Cash for College" challenge, according to an announcement from the University of Hawaii.
The Molokai and Honolulu schools took first place for having the highest percentage of students complete the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid," also known by the acronym "FAFSA," in Hawai'i P-20's Cash for College Challenge.
Seventy-three percent of Molokai seniors completed the form, and 63 percent of those at McKinley did so, the announcement says.
The application helps students and families identify their financial aid eligibility. The form is required for applying for federal student grants, work-study or loans.
Molokai High had the highest percentage of seniors completing the form among all participating schools. The school also increased its FAFSA completions by 14.5 percent over last year.
"One of the strategies that worked best for us is the individual follow-up we were able to do with our students," said Mahina Kamakana-Juario, Molokai High's college and career counselor. "I think we may have pestered them a bit too much, reminding them every day to complete the FAFSA, but that's what it took to get the results we did."
FAFSA completion is strongly associated with post-secondary enrollment, the UH announcement said.
According to a recent study, 90 percent of high school seniors who complete the form attend college directly from high school, compared with just 55 percent of students who do not complete it. And, students who finish the form also were more likely to obtain a bachelor's degree within six years.
"Each year, millions of free federal dollars are left unclaimed in Hawaii," said Stephen Schatz, Hawai'i P-20 executive director. "This aid could have helped more of our Hawaii students attend college, including the University of Hawaii. We need to do everything we can to help make college more affordable for students and families and helping them complete the FAFSA is one way to do this."
Schools with the highest FAFSA completion rates were awarded cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $1,200 that could be used to support senior class activities such as high school graduation, prom and end-of-year activities.