Hit a home run with FAFSA and receive free spring training tickets

The Arizona Board of Regents extended its partnership with the Cactus League to encourage college-bound Arizona high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Arizona high school seniors who complete the FAFSA, and meet all promotion guidelines, will receive two to four free tickets to a spring training baseball game of their choosing this season! Students can sign up here.

“FAFSA is every student’s ticket to education success. Completing the FAFSA is strongly correlated with students enrolling in a postsecondary institution immediately after high school and opens the door to most financial aid, scholarships, federal and state grants, and work study opportunities,” said ABOR Chair Cecilia Mata. “The relationship between the Cactus League and ABOR has been a resounding success. The Cactus League and Arizona’s public universities are massive economic drivers for our state, and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership in promoting educational attainment for all Arizona students.”   

The Cactus League and ABOR are teaming up for a third consecutive year on the ticket giveaway. Since 2022, this collaboration has encouraged Arizona high school seniors to complete the FAFSA, opening doors to college, career training and other post-high school education opportunities.

“When it comes to paying for college, FAFSA is a home run,” said Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher. “The Cactus League is proud to partner with ABOR to showcase the transformative value of higher education – a pathway to boundless opportunities and lifelong success. The goal of this collaboration is to encourage more Arizona high school seniors to attend college – a critical step in strengthening Arizona’s labor force.”

Arizona high school graduates have missed out on nearly $300 million in Pell Grant funding over the past three years by not completing the FAFSA. In 2024, the state ranked 49th nationally in FAFSA completion, trailing peer states and leaving crucial funds for higher education untapped. ABOR’s partnership with the Cactus League has been one of the most impactful efforts in narrowing the FAFSA completion gap. 

To ensure students and families have the tools, resources and additional support to help them complete the FAFSA, ABOR’s college readiness website CollegeReadyAZ.com makes it easy to plan and apply for college at Arizona’s public universities. FAFSA resources available at College Ready AZ include:

• Virtual one-on-one appointments
• FSA and FAFSA support webinars
• An Arizona FAFSA hotline
• Ask Benji, a FAFSA-dedicated chat bot
• Support via text messages
• FAFSA pro tips
• Arizona College Connect (an innovative tool ABOR provides for high school educators to track FAFSA completion)