CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Students from Camden and Newark are competing to see which city has a higher rate of completion for federal student aid applications.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is often the first step for students to get funding for college — and the overall goal of the FAFSA Challenge is to get as many kids as possible in Camden and Newark to fill out their applications.
The friendly competition is presented by both the Camden Education Fund and the Newark-based New Jersey Children’s Foundation. The object is to reach the highest FAFSA completion rate among public high school students. The schools with the highest completion rate in each city will receive $30,000 from their respective organizations.
There’s also $10,000 on the line for the winning city, to be paid by the losing city.
More than 17 million students nationwide fill out the FAFSA each year, according to the Department of Education. However, Camden Education Fund executive director Giana Campbell says students in New Jersey have missed out big time by not filling out the forms in the past.
“Each year for the past three years, $80 to $100 million has been left on the table in financial aid,” she said. “When we think about creating opportunities for our students, we want to make sure that they are taking advantage of these resources and using it to achieve their dreams.”
The lack of participation, Collins says, is even worse in communities of color. That's why Camden entered into the friendly competition with Newark, to ensure students like high school senior Milan Dargen get everything they deserve.
“I plan on continuing this academic success at a four-year college upon graduation while simultaneously participating in the ROTC program. After college, I look to enlist as an officer in the military to further my service for our nation and my education,” said Dargen, who encouraged all of her fellow students to fill out the application right away.
“I want to emphasize that it is first come, first served so make an FSA ID immediately and complete the FAFSA to receive the most funds toward your future.”
The Department of Education launched the 2024-25 FAFSA earlier this month after making changes to the application process. Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed a law that requires students to complete the FAFSA, but the legislation won't take effect until next school year.