PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chandra Scott | cscott@alabamapossible.org | 205.939.1408
High School in Phenix City Wins MVP and Most Improved Awards
Celebrating high FAFSA completion rates across Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, AL (June 7, 2023) – Alabama Possible, a statewide nonprofit that breaks down barriers to prosperity, today announced that Central High School in Phenix City received two Alabama Goes to College Campaign Awards, for successfully improving their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion and as MVP in FAFSA completion, during the virtual Alabama Goes to College Celebration Day event.
Alabama Possible manages the Alabama Goes to College Campaign in collaboration with the Alabama State Department of Education. The three components of this campaign include: Cash for College, Alabama College Application Week, and College and Career Decision Day. This Campaign equips educators, counselors, and career coaches with tools and connects them to partners so that every student can plan for, pursue, and complete valuable postsecondary credentials. Alabama Goes to College provides resources for students and families to explore postsecondary options, find financial aid resources, and successfully transition from high school to college.
Since kicking off the 2022-2023 campaign on October 1, Cash for College and its partners have worked alongside 45,714 students and their families at over 377 schools to complete more than 24,366 FAFSAs by May.
The extra-small (≤72), small (≤144), medium (≤285), large (≤378) and extra-large (379+) high schools with the highest FAFSA completion rates (MVP Award winners) for their senior classes as of April 28, 2023, are:
Extra-Small: Sweet Water High School (Marengo County), 100 percent completion
Small: Loveless Academic Magnet Program (Montgomery County), 86.09 percent completion
Medium: Lee High School (Huntsville City), 83.33 percent completion
Large: Hewitt-Trussville High School (Trussville City), 63.66 percent completion
Extra-Large: Central High School (Phenix City), 68.19 percent completion
The extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large high schools with the most improved FAFSA completion rates (Most Improved Award winners) from October 1, 2022, to April 28, 2023, compared to last school year are:
Extra-Small: Central High School (Lowndes County)
Small: Madison County Virtual School (Madison County)
Medium: Citronelle High School (Mobile County)
Large: Alma Bryant High School (Mobile County)
Extra-Large: Central High School (Phenix City)
“We appreciate the amount of support and collaboration provided to counselors and career coaches to support FAFSA completion in our high schools. Today we celebrate the efforts of our counselors and career coaches in ensuring that their students are prepared to graduate from high school college- and career-ready,” said Dr. Eric G. Mackey, state superintendent, Alabama State Department of Education.
Each winning school will receive a grant to further a college-going culture in their high schools. This event featured remarks from Dr. Mackey and insights on successful strategies from winning school counselors and career coaches including the winner of School of Excellence award which is presented by American College Application Campaign at ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning.
Any student seeking federal or state financial aid – including grants, loans, and work-study programs – must complete the FAFSA. Most students in Alabama will qualify for Pell Grant aid of up to $7,395 per year. Students can use Pell Grants for two-year and four-year technical and academic programs.
Students and families can still complete financial aid forms and college applications. They can learn more about the college enrollment process by visiting alabamagoestocollege.org and get assistance, if needed, by calling or texting the Alabama Goes to College Help Desk at 334.316.6155.
“It’s encouraging to see Alabama students access funding that can open the door to a postsecondary pathway they desire,” said Chandra Scott, Alabama Possible’s executive director. “We’re thankful for all of our high school educators who are committed to removing barriers to learning and encouraging students to pursue postsecondary education and that’s why we celebrate them today.”
About Alabama Possible
Alabama Possible is a statewide nonprofit organization that breaks down barriers to prosperity through advocacy, education, and collaboration. We influence public policy to ensure every high school graduate in our state can pursue a technical or academic credential after high school. Our programs connect Alabama’s educational leaders, students, and families with the resources necessary to cultivate a college-going culture and equitable educational attainment. For more information, visit www.alabamapossible.org
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