PHOENIX — The deadline to guarantee access to the Arizona Promise Program for in-state high school seniors is April 1. The program helps make sure low-income students get their tuition and fees covered at Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.
In order to be eligible, high school seniors must send in their FAFSA, an application for federal student aid, by this Tuesday. If they receive Pell Grants and have at least a 2.5 GPA, if there's any remaining tuition and fees after aid and scholarships, the program will cover the rest.
“That is really what determined everything for me to go to college," Alexia Buelna, a former Promise Program recipient, said. She's now a program success story.
“I’m currently a recruitment coordinator for Leslie’s [Pool Supplies]. I graduated with a dual major in business law and human resources with a minor in fashion."
Without the money coming from the state promise program, an ASU degree would have been difficult to afford.
“All my family had to figure out was room and board, which was a huge weight off our shoulders," Buelna said.
Without the degree, she says it's difficult to be qualified for available jobs.
“Moving forward I don’t feel stress about if I will qualify for all of these jobs because I have a college degree," Buelna said.
The Arizona Promise Program is funded by the state government, which, in 2024, allocated $40 million for Arizona students.
Historically, Arizona high school seniors have lagged behind the rest of the country in the percentage of them who submit a FAFSA.
“As of March 24, 29% of high school seniors have submitted their FAFSA," Julie Sainz with the Arizona Board of Regents said.
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Sainz says this number is higher than in previous years in Arizona, and efforts to do outreach to more seniors are working in the state. It still means seven out of ten Arizona high school seniors haven’t applied for aid.
Buelna says even if money is tight for you and your family, simply sending in your FAFSA can get you closer to college.
“A lot of us thought going to college was unachievable because it is so expensive," Buelna said. "But I think it’s a lack of knowing and seeing what resources are out there.”
For information on submitting your FAFSA and the Arizona Promise Program, click here.
