Innovation Grant

Thank you for registering your school for the 2020-2021 NC First in FAFSA Challenge!

To be eligible to win the $500 Innovative Grant for the best FAFSA completion strategy, please share your school’s innovative strategy for boosting FAFSA completion rates by completing this Innovation Grant Submission form [Closed]. The deadline to submit your school’s strategy is April 30, 2021 5pm ET.

The following criteria will be used by a committee to determine the winner for most innovative FAFSA completion strategy.

NC First in FAFSA Challenge | Most Innovative FAFSA Completion Strategy Criteria

Criteria Description
Innovative Strategy is innovative — either trying something new that hasn’t been done before and/or doing something old in a new and more effective way.
Student and Family Centered Strategy is designed empathetically with students and families at the center based on what students and families say they need.
Data Driven Strategy uses available quantitative and qualitative data to set goals, drive decisions, plan, and implement services leading to results.
Collective Impact Strategy actively includes community and/or statewide partners collaborating to shape the strategy and share information/resources to achieve a common goal.
Equity Strategy ensures that every student and family has the support they need to be successful–and seeks out partners to provide this support when needed.

Innovation Grant Details

  • Schools registered for the NC First in FAFSA Challenge who submit the Innovation Grant submission form will compete among other public schools in the .
  • Check with your school’s lead counselor to determine the point of contact for your school.
  • Winners will be announced in July/August 2021.
  • For questions, please contact NCfirstinfafsa@myfuturenc.org.