Campo Verde High School in Gilbert was recognized twice as winners as winners of the 2024-2025 AZ FAFSA Challenge.
Campo Verde won first place among large schools in most improved completion rate of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It also finished second behind San Luis High School overall completion rate among large schools.
A collaboration of the Arizona Board of Regents, Cox Communications and the AZ FAFSA Coalition, the luncheon May 7 celebrated the exceptional efforts of Arizona high schools to improve completion rates of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a critical financial aid tool supporting postsecondary education.
With a donation from Cox, 63 students from the winning schools were awarded iPads to aid them on their postsecondary education journeys.
Campo Verde and other winners also received a signed certificate from Governor Katie Hobbs and Arizona Board of Regents Chairperson Cecilia Mata, and a trophy recognizing their first, second or third place finish in the categories of Highest FAFSA Completion Rate or Most Improved FAFSA Completion Rate.
The event was hosted by 12 News personality Troy Lynch and featured remarks from Mata, Cox Communications Phoenix Market Vice President Susan Anable and Gov. Katie Hobbs’ Education Policy Advisor Erin Hart.
“Completing the FAFSA is more than just paperwork; it’s a gateway to opportunity,” Mata said. “The FAFSA provides essential financial support and access to scholarships, federal Pell Grants, work-study opportunities and the Arizona Promise Program, which covers tuition and fees for qualifying students.
"Today is a celebration of these students and an investment in their futures as well as the unwavering dedication of their schools’ administrators and counselors. By taking this important step to secure financial aid, these students are paving the way for educational and career success, and we look forward to watching them thrive.”
FAFSA completion directly impacts a student’s access to higher education opportunities. Students who complete the FAFSA are more likely to enroll in college, persist in their coursework and successfully obtain a degree.
As of May 7, Arizona’s FAFSA completion rate is 34.4% for the Class of 2025, just over 5% away from the statewide goal of 40%.
Arizona is ranked third in the nation in year-over-year growth for FAFSA completion, a reversal from where the state was one year ago when the completion rate hovered at 18% at the end of April 2024.
