Rural students double FAFSA completion with one-on-one advising

Eight rural Alaska school districts doubled their federal financial aid applications this year after the state assigned students one-on-one advisors to help them apply for college money and plan what comes after high school.

Sixty percent of seniors in those districts completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid this spring, up from 41 percent last year. The statewide rate was 29 percent.

The advisors, called Career Guides, meet with students individually to fill out financial aid forms and explore job training programs. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development and the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced the results Wednesday.

The eight districts are Annette Island, Bristol Bay Borough, Dillingham, Galena, Hydaburg, Lake and Peninsula, Nenana, and Southwest Region.

Completing the FAFSA unlocks federal grants, Alaska Performance Scholarships, and Alaska Education Grants. Alaska students leave millions of dollars unclaimed each year because they do not file the form.

Ninety-five percent of students in the program picked a path before graduation this year, up from 75 percent last year.

The program launched in October 2024. The state plans to add more districts next school year.