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Greensboro College Receives Award To Support Students and their FAFSAs

by Matthew Johnson

There was an incorrect typo in the wording of FAFSA in the initial headline.

Greensboro, NC (07/30/2024) — Greensboro College is pleased to announce that it has received an award of $20,000 from ECMC for an award titled, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Student Support Strategy Project.

The objective of the award is to support the Department of Education's student financial aid programs by (1) increasing the 2024-25 FAFSA completion rates and (2) combating "summer melt" and increasing actual enrollment rates among students who have expressed an intent to enroll in college for the 2024-25 academic year.

"We are incredibly grateful that we've received this award that will enable our offices to work collaboratively toward jumpstarting the imminent success of our new and returning students. We know there is a strong correlation between FAFSA completion and college enrollment (and re-enrollment," said Warche Downing, Senior Director of Student Retention and Engagement at Greensboro College.

"For many of our students who received federal student aid, FAFSA can make the difference between deciding to enroll in college or stopping out, which often impedes a student's ability to matriculate and complete their degree on-time. This award enables us to ramp up our outreach efforts for FAFSA completion and ensure our new and returning students get the much-needed interactions and staff engagement prior to coming back to campus."

The funding will:

Expand the availability of financial aid staff, college staff, and counselors to support students in completing their FAFSA. During the summer months on select days, the college will offer extended, in-person, or virtual hours.

Provide holistic support with FAFSA assistance and financial aid literacy to assist students with completing the FAFSA, along with guiding them about options for paying for college -- from scholarships, grants, to loan options.

Robust outreach and communication with students and families via phone calls, text messages, virtual office hours, and more with extended work hours. In addition, marketing and mass email will go forth to share the awareness of the resources and help that will be provided.

FAFSA completion incentives, specifically bookstore vouchers, will be offered to students who complete their FAFSA and/or register for Fall semester. These vouchers can be used to purchase textbooks and other educational materials, thereby reducing the financial burden on students.

"At a small college, our office often has difficulty reaching each individual student. However, this award has enabled us to team up with other offices and go above and beyond in a year that has been difficult for everyone in higher education," said Lindsay Latham, Senior Director of Student Financial Services at Greensboro College. "Many of our students depend on the FAFSA to help pay for college and we are grateful to be able to provide additional support and resources because of this award."

Greensboro College provides a liberal arts education grounded in the traditions of the United Methodist Church and fosters the intellectual, social, and spiritual development of all students while supporting their individual needs.

Founded in 1838 and located in downtown Greensboro, the college enrolls about 1,000 students from 29 states and territories, the District of Columbia, and seven foreign countries in its undergraduate liberal arts program and six master's degree programs. In addition to rigorous academics and a well-supported Honors program, the school features a 19-sport NCAA Division III athletic program and dozens of service and recreational opportunities. Learn more at greensboro.edu.

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