Arizona Board of Regents extends priority deadline for Arizona Promise Program

Given the delays and challenges with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) the Arizona Board of Regents and public universities have extended FAFSA priority deadlines to May 1.  

Today’s action by the board to move the Arizona Promise Program deadline (previously April 1) follows the U.S. Department of Education’s problematic and continued delays in its FAFSA simplification roll-out. The Arizona Promise Program covers tuition and fees at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona for qualifying low-income Arizona students.  

The decision by ABOR, ASU, NAU and UArizona to extend priority deadlines gives students more time to file their FAFSA, qualify for the Arizona Promise Program and make their college decision.  

In January, the federal government announced further delays, which will prohibit the department from providing student FAFSA records to universities until mid-March. Universities use this data to qualify students for the Arizona Promise Program and provide student financial aid offers.  

“The delay in federal data leaves students and families across the country very little time to evaluate financial aid offers and select a university,” said ABOR Chair Fred DuVal. “Education equals opportunity. Extending the Promise priority deadline offers families more time to choose their best college and financial aid options.” 

Filling out the FAFSA form is the first step for many college-bound students to qualify for federal financial aid such as grants, work-study and scholarship opportunities. Low-income and first-generation students are disproportionately affected by the FAFSA delays since they often rely on timely financial aid offers to decide on a college and their housing and job decisions may need to be made early.  

Research has consistently shown a strong correlation between FASFA completion rates and college enrollment rates. According to the National College Access Network, high school seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84 percent more likely to immediately enroll in postsecondary education.   

FAFSA by the numbers: 

• 15.7 percent of Arizona high school seniors have completed the FAFSA as of early February, compared to 22.5 percent nationally. 
• During the same timeframe, more than 29,100 Arizona resident students had already completed their form compared to over 15,800 this year. 
• An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Arizona high school seniors are impacted this year by FAFSA form issues for mixed status families. Federal Student Aid announced this week that a fix will be implemented by mid-March. 

The board’s college planning website, College Ready AZ, offers FAFSA resources and recommendations for students and families. The site also includes a FAFSA Updates page with tips and experts to help families navigate current challenges with the FAFSA rollout. Students and families can find a list of virtual appointments, pro tips and FAFSA support videos here.