Mississippi Ranks First in FAFSA Completion
JACKSON, MISS. – Mississippi has claimed the top spot in the nation for completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). According to the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) FAFSA Tracker, 73.4% of Mississippi’s 2025 high school graduating seniors completed their FAFSA.
The FAFSA is the federal application that unlocks financial aid including Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans. In Mississippi, FAFSA results are also used to determine eligibility for certain state aid programs and many private scholarships.
“This number-one national ranking is a tremendous milestone for Mississippi,” said Jim McHale, President and CEO of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation (WHEF). “It demonstrates the dedication of educators, counselors, career coaches, and mentors who work tirelessly to ensure students have the resources they need for life after high school. Get2College is proud to support this achievement through our statewide college planning and FAFSA assistance.”
Get2College, the college access program of WHEF, provides free and comprehensive support to students and families. This includes one-on-one FAFSA appointments offered in person at its centers, online, and through the new mobile center, which helps ensure equitable access to expert guidance throughout Mississippi.
This year marks Mississippi’s first time ranking number one in FAFSA completion. The state has remained a national leader for several years, consistently appearing in the top five from 2019–20 through 2024–25. This strong showing reflects Mississippi’s long-term commitment to expanding college access and increasing financial aid awareness.
Mississippi’s success has been achieved without a state-mandated FAFSA requirement. Instead, the College and Career Readiness (CCR) course, a high school graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2022, equips students with financial aid education that includes step-by-step guidance for completing the FAFSA. Get2College updates and distributes the CCR workbook statewide each year and provides planning support and training for counselors, educators, and school leaders.
Completing the FAFSA significantly improves post-high school outcomes. In Mississippi, students who complete the FAFSA are four times more likely to enroll in college. Nationally, FAFSA completers are 84 percent more likely to enroll immediately, and for the lowest-income students, completion is associated with a 127 percent increase in college enrollment. These gains support Mississippi’s Ascent to 55 percent attainment goal and help strengthen the state’s workforce pipeline.
The 2026–27 FAFSA is now open for students and families. With Mississippi leading the nation, this is an ideal moment for the next class of seniors to build on the state’s success. Get2College is prepared to help every student and family, whether in person, online, or through its new mobile center, so that more graduates can access financial aid and pursue their goals.
