A traditional 2- or 4-year college degree was never in consideration for Carter Gibson, so neither was applying for the FAFSA*. It wasn’t until LaunchNW inspired a FAFSA completion campaign at Riverside High School that Carter realized how the FAFSA could support his dream of attending trade school to become a professional welder.

Confusion among students and their families is common when it comes to who is eligible for financial aid. FAFSA Opens Doors partners with schools to smooth the path toward unlocking aid. Each year, applicants are awarded thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships from federal and state programs, universities and trade schools, and private scholarship organizations.

During the 2024-2025 school year, FAFSA Opens Doors launched a FAFSA completion challenge at five high schools, including Riverside. Across these participating schools, FAFSA completion rates climbed to exceed both state and county averages. As FAFSA Opens Doors prepares for a new application season, learn how you can support the effort at LaunchNW.org/FAFSAOpensDoors.

*FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)