ANSONIA — Ansonia High School is being recognized by Gov. Ned Lamont and the state Department of Education for efforts to improve the number of students filling out the Connecticut Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
While filling out paperwork may not sound like much, it can be huge for a student’s future. The state education department points out that 70 percent of jobs in the state require more than just a high school diploma.
Last year 65.5 percent of the Ansonia High School Class of 2022 completed the forms. That’s up from 51 percent last year and up from 43 percent in May 2020, according to data from the state Department of Education.
That jump in participation has earned Ansonia High School a “Commissioner’s Award.” The school showed the biggest year-to-year increase in FAFSA completion among similarly sized schools. The school will be awarded $5,000, which can be used toward programs aimed at getting even more students to fill out the paperwork.
Gov. Lamont and state Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker are scheduled to appear at Ansonia High School on Friday to recognize schools that have improved FAFSA completion rates.
Every student in Connecticut can fill out the FAFSA forms, which unlock potential financial assistance for college. Ansonia students had been leaving buckets of college money on the table.
Lamont and the state department of education believe filling out the forms is crucial for high school students who come from disadvantaged communities, which have lower completion rates than students in wealthier communities.
Lamont’s administration has been pushing to improve FAFSA rates for several years, and giving out small grants for schools to start incentive programs.
At Ansonia High School during the last school year, there were raffles for five iPads (purchased with grant money) and 30 prom tickets for students who filled out the forms. There was a push by the school district and the City of Ansonia to spread awareness about FAFSA on social media.
Erin M. Corso, the lead school counselor at Ansonia High School, said reminding students to fill out the forms was a school-wide effort. Some teachers even arranged Saturday online meet ups to explain the paperwork, which can be quite daunting, especially for students.
“This is extremely important because some students don’t believe they’re worthy of going to college, or they just didn’t know it is a choice for them after high school. Or maybe mom and dad both work, and they assume there is no money available. This is extremely important because it gives our kids an opportunity after high school,” said Resse Morales, the school district’s director of equity and communications.
While not every students needs to attend a traditional college or university to find success, “too many students rule it out entirely because of concerns around affordability,” according to a letter to the school district from the state.
Ansonia School Superintendent Joseph DiBacco announced the news to the Ansonia Board of Aldermen at a public meeting Tuesday night.
“We wanted more of our kids to see that college and universities are in their future,” DiBacco told the elected officials. “Before they thought college was out of reach, so unattainable due to the cost. But when they saw that money was available after filling out the FAFSA, college definitely became an option.“
High school teachers and staffers also reached out to parents to let them know the importance of completing the paperwork.
Alderman Steven Adamowski, a retired school superintendent, credited the school community for doing the work.
“I think this is going to have a direct, significant impact on the college admission rates, so good job to you and your staff,” Adamowski said.
Sheila O’Malley, the city’s economic development director, also thanked the superintendent and district leaders for their efforts, and so did Gov. Lamont and Russell-Tucker, the state education commissioner.
“None of this would have happened without the perseverance, creativity, and competitive spirit of superintendents, principals, assistant principals, assistant principals, school counselors, and volunteers who worked tirelessly on this — and many other initiatives — over the last year,” Lamont and Russell-Tucker said in a letter dated Aug. 19.
An image from the Sept. 13 meeting of the Ansonia Board of Aldermen.
