MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB), today encouraged Wisconsin students and families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for the 2025-26 academic year as part of the national “FAFSA® Filing Month.” Gov. Evers proclaimed December 2024 as “FAFSA® Filing Month” throughout the state of Wisconsin, encouraging high school counselors, principals, superintendents, after-school programs, parent groups, nonprofit organizations, and local and state education organizations to assist students and families in completing the FAFSA® as the first step toward achieving their college and career aspirations. A copy of the governor’s “FAFSA® Filing Month” proclamation is available here.

“Pursuing higher education should be affordable and accessible to all, and filling out the FAFSA® is an important first step in ensuring Wisconsin students can pursue quality, affordable higher education and access the thousands of scholarships available,” said Gov. Evers. “I encourage high school counselors, principals, superintendents, educators, and the many organizations that engage in this work to assist students and families in taking advantage of this important resource by applying today.”

The FAFSA®, filed annually, is the gateway to nearly all federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study funds, and federal student loans, plus many private scholarship providers require it as well. For those looking to enroll in postsecondary education during the 2025-26 academic year, it’s important to submit the FAFSA® as soon as possible and take time to understand the various deadlines that apply. The 2025-26 FAFSA® is available now.

“Every year, students and families nervously await and often postpone submitting the FAFSA®. Some even skip it entirely because of a misconception that it’s only a fast-track to federal student loans; however, submitting the FAFSA® is a student’s ticket to being considered for all types of financial aid, including grants and scholarships, which don’t need to be repaid,” said DFI Secretary Cheryll Olson-Collins. “I encourage all Wisconsin students who plan to enroll for the first time or continue their studies in the fall of 2025 to submit the FAFSA® today.”

According to the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) FAFSA® Tracker, through November 15, 2024, 47.2 percent of the high school class of 2024 in Wisconsin has completed a FAFSA®. There have been 34,483 FAFSA® completions in Wisconsin, an 8.5 percent decrease, with 3,197 fewer FAFSA® submissions completed as compared to the last academic year. Nationally, the NCAN FAFSA® Tracker shows 53.8 percent of the high school class of 2024 has completed a FAFSA® through November 15, 2024, an 8.7 percent decrease compared to the last academic year. To see FAFSA® completion data by high school and public school district, visit Federal Student Aid’s application volume reports webpage here.

“Most colleges and states, including Wisconsin, use the FAFSA® to determine both federal aid and eligibility for need-based state financial aid programs,” said HEAB Executive Secretary Tammie DeVooght. “Wisconsin students and families should complete the FAFSA® for the 2025-26 academic year as soon as possible because many need-based financial aid programs are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.”

In Wisconsin, College Goal Wisconsin, an all-volunteer program that includes the commitment and support of many state agencies, businesses, secondary schools, colleges, and universities, helps students and families with the timely completion of the FAFSA®. College Goal Wisconsin is offering several free in-person and virtual FAFSA® completion events throughout the month of January 2025. View the event dates and register to attend at CollegeGoalWI.org/Register. In addition, the Fair Opportunity Project is a nationally recognized, federally-funded education nonprofit that helps students and families complete the FAFSA® as well.

For more information about Wisconsin’s student financial aid, including grant, scholarship, and loan programs, tuition reciprocity agreements, and tuition capitation contracts, visit HEAB’s website here. For more information about college and career readiness, student loan borrowing and repayment, and the Wisconsin 529 College Savings Program, visit DFI’s website here.

Students and families with questions about the FAFSA® should contact Federal Student Aid or the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC), which provides support on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. For more FAFSA® tips, follow Federal Student Aid on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube for informational videos and educational webinars.

An online version of this release is available here.