Piñon High School has been honored with the Arizona FAFSA Challenge Award for the Most Improved FAFSA completion rate, celebrating a remarkable 19% increase from the previous year. This significant achievement was recognized by the Arizona Board of Regents, who awarded the school three laptops to gift to students who completed the FAFSA.
Kyle Sandoval, a school counselor at Piñon High School, played a pivotal role in this success during his first year in the position. Starting in July of last year, Kyle, along with Arizona GEAR UP’s Daniel Pulu and other representatives from various colleges, organized weekly FAFSA workshops for students and their families. These workshops were primarily held on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 PM to accommodate families’ schedules.
Kyle emphasized the importance of inviting representatives from different colleges and universities to assist with the FAFSA process. Despite facing challenges such as technical glitches and difficulties with retrieving forgotten login information, the persistence and dedication of the staff paid off.
To improve communication with families, Kyle leveraged parent-teacher conferences, social media, and printed flyers to ensure that all families were informed about the workshops and the importance of completing the FAFSA. His innovative approach included creating visually appealing flyers using Canva to capture parents’ attention.
Kyle’s dedication extended beyond regular hours, often staying late to assist students and their families. He stressed the importance of completing the FAFSA, not just for immediate college plans but as a foundational step for any future educational aspirations.
The culmination of these efforts was evident during the school’s decision day and graduation ceremonies, where the increased FAFSA completion rate was celebrated. The recognition of three outstanding students heading to the University of Arizona and Gwinnett College highlighted the impact of the school’s commitment to supporting students’ post-secondary education goals.
Kyle attributes the success to the strong community support and the resources provided by organizations like the American Indian College Fund. He encourages other schools to remain dedicated to helping students through the FAFSA process, emphasizing that the effort is worthwhile for the students’ growth and future opportunities.
In summary, Piñon High School’s award for the most improved FAFSA completion rate is a testament to the collective efforts of the school staff, the community, and the students themselves. It underscores the importance of persistence, innovation, and community involvement in achieving educational success.