The FAFSA* can unlock thousands of dollars in financial aid, yet only 44% of Spokane County seniors completed the form in 2025. While the application itself may be straightforward, many students and families face barriers to completion. FAFSA Opens Doors brings schools, businesses, families, and community organizations together to share responsibility for financial aid access.

Schools like Riverside High School show what is possible when FAFSA completion is a priority. After joining LaunchNW’s FAFSA Completion Challenge in 2025, Riverside’s completion rates more than doubled. For Ella Tobaben, a Riverside graduate and first-generation sophomore at WSU, completing the FAFSA paved a way to higher education and a future career in finance.

In this interview, Ella shares more about her journey and all FAFSA has made possible.

*FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

What was it like going from Riverside to a large university like WSU? 

It took some adjusting, going from knowing everyone in my class to not knowing anyone at all in a new school. But, I found it was best to keep the same mindset, no matter the size of the school, which is to just get to know the people around you. 

What challenges did you face in your first semester, and how did you overcome them? 

A big challenge I faced first semester was changing my major. I got a taste of engineering and came to the conclusion that it was not for me. It took doing some of my own research, exploring clubs, and talking to advisors for me to change my path to finance. 

How did financial aid support your ability to focus on school? 

Financial aid meant I was able to focus not only on my schoolwork but also on making new friends, exploring the variety of groups on campus, and being able to attend various events to explore my interests and help me better understand my studies. 

What has been the most rewarding part of your first year in college? 

The most rewarding has been getting to explore this new experience on my own. Getting to explore a new area and meet new people and try new activities, like rock climbing and crocheting, has really helped me figure out what I want in the future. 

What resources on campus have helped you succeed academically or personally? 

There are many resources on campus that I’ve used. I went to the academic advising center to help me find a major that was a good fit for me. I’ve also used the various tutoring resources, such as the math learning center, where they have at least one tutor for every math class. Other resources like different events held around campus help to not only meet new people while having fun doing crafts or playing games, but also help to educate on even more of the resources available around campus. 

How did you stay motivated when things felt overwhelming? 

The way I stayed motivated was to break things down into smaller parts, something that I felt I could manage at that time no matter how absurdly small it seemed. Even something like just working on an assignment for five minutes and then taking a break, often that five minutes was enough to get me on a roll, and if it wasn’t, then I’d take a small break, then do another five. 

How did your family support you, even if they didn’t have college experience themselves? 

The biggest way my family supported me was just being there. Not in-person, but listening when I would call and express my frustration or dismay over something that happened. Even if they didn’t understand the exact details of the situation, they were still there to listen and affirm how I was feeling and help me figure out how I wanted to go forward. 

What does being in college mean to you and your family? 

For both my family and me, being in college represents a stepping stone towards the future. There are many different paths to take into the future, but for me, college is the right choice. 

Did your background make you more determined in any way? 

Since no one in my family has been to college, I saw it as a sort of unexplored frontier with endless possibilities. It can be scary sometimes, not fully knowing what it will be like, but I know I’ll have my family supporting me the whole way. 

What’s one thing you wish every high school senior knew about FAFSA? 

One thing I wish every high school senior knew about FAFSA is that the best thing they can do is just get it over with. Sit down one night with your parents if they’re helping you pay, or even a school counselor if needed, and just knock it out. It may seem daunting at first, but it opens so many doors for you. 

What advice would you give students who feel overwhelmed or unsure about paying for college? 

For those feeling overwhelmed about paying for college, the best thing to do is to gather as much information as you can. Get specifics, not just on how much each certain thing costs, but the certain ways you can cover those costs. That’s why it’s important to fill out the FAFSA early so you can better understand the financial situation you’re working with. 

How early should students start thinking about financial aid and college planning? 

At the latest, students should start thinking about financial aid and college planning at the beginning of junior year. Even in a more abstract way, figuring out which college(s) you want to attend and how you plan to pay helps build an understanding that can help your decisions in the future. 

What would you say to a student who thinks college isn’t an option for them financially? 

If you feel that college is not an option for you financially, then one of the best ways to amend that is by going to college. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but college opens doors that lead to higher earnings. College is an investment, there is risk involved, but it returns more than its value in money, in friends, and in lifelong connections. 

What’s one step students can take today to prepare for life after high school? 

One step students can take today to prepare for life after high school is to think about what life after high school looks like. Not just the summer after, or the next year, but a decade or two into the future. What do you want for yourself, and what actions do you have to take to get there? 

How has completing FAFSA changed your path or opened opportunities for you? 

Completing FAFSA is what led me to all my scholarships. Even if I didn’t get any financial aid directly, every scholarship I applied for required FAFSA information. Filling out the FAFSA also gave me priority for a job at the school to help pay for tuition. 

What would you say to students who are thinking about whether it’s “worth it” to apply for financial aid? 

Applying for financial aid is absolutely worth it. Even if you don’t receive any, it’s better to know for sure than to wonder “what if?” 

If you could send a message to your high school self, what would it be? 

Don’t be afraid to be uncertain. Take this time to think about not just college but how you want the rest of your life to go. 

LOOKING BACK

Watch below as Ella shared her FAFSA experience with us while a senior at Riverside High School in 2025.