After a challenging rollout of the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Mississippi now ranks fifth in national FAFSA completion rankings.

According to the National College Attainment Network’s (NCAN) FAFSA tracker, 59.9% of Mississippi’s 2024 graduating seniors have completed their FAFSA for the academic year. The FAFSA helps determine eligibility for various forms of federal financial aid including Pell Grants and work-study programs.

The redesigned FAFSA was launched with technical glitches and processing errors, contributing to a national decrease in FAFSA completion rates. As of Aug. 30, Mississippi’s FAFSA year-over-year completion rate dropped by 12.7%, a larger decline compared to the national average decrease of 9.1%. This drop led to a two-spot decline in national rankings, from third to fifth, compared to the previous year.

“Achieving fifth place is a significant accomplishment for Mississippi, especially considering the setbacks we have worked to overcome with the simplified FAFSA rollout,” said Jim McHale, President and CEO of Woodward Hines Education Foundation (WHEF).

A surge in support services throughout the summer significantly boosted FAFSA completions for Mississippi students. Despite the issues caused by this year’s delayed FAFSA launch, WHEF’s flagship program, Get2College, which provides free college planning services, saw a 9% increase in FAFSA-related services provided to students and families statewide throughout July compared to 2023. Get2College’s services include individual assistance in completing the FAFSA and Mississippi Aid Application.

“Mississippi has been a leader in FAFSA completion for years, due in large part to WHEF’s considerable efforts statewide,” said Bill DeBaun, Senior Director at NCAN in Washington DC. “This past cycle shows the resilience that comes from having a strong muscle memory for FAFSA completion programming and practice. Over the summer, Mississippi’s class of 2024 showed strong FAFSA completion, and the state’s rank rose from 15th at the end of May to top 5 toward the end of August. It’s an exciting development and one I hope will see more recent Mississippi high school graduates pursuing their next, best postsecondary step.”

Because cost is the largest barrier to college, FAFSA completion is a strong enrollment predictor for Mississippi universities and community colleges. Students who submit the FAFSA are four times as likely to enroll in college — whether a four-year degree, a two-year community college degree, or a certificate in career and technical education — compared to those who do not, which can lead to financial stability and higher-paying careers.

“Students who do not complete a FAFSA are at risk of never starting college because the application is the key that unlocks federal aid, grants, and work-study programs — money that does not have to be repaid after graduation,” said Kimberly Trosclair, Director of Get2College Gulf Coast. The FAFSA also allows students to be considered for subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans. Additionally, the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid and various private scholarship providers use FAFSA information to allocate aid.

While many colleges have already begun their fall semester, it is not too late for students to complete their FAFSA as the 2024-25 FAFSA cycle is not over. Students can still apply for financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year through June 30, 2025.

“We are committed to ensuring that students have the resources and guidance they need to complete their FAFSA applications successfully,” added McHale.

Individuals heading to college in 2025-26 academic year should plan for a Dec. 1, 2024, FAFSA opening date. Get2College.org will continue to offer free assistance in completing the FAFSA when it opens on Dec. 1.

Resources on all things college planning and financial aid are available at get2college.org, including Cha-Ching, Get2College’s 24/7 chatbot.