Financial Aid Resources

Higher Expectations for Racine County is dedicated to ensuring every student has access to the financial resources needed for post-secondary success. Below you’ll find information on what the FAFSA is, how to get started, and other resources on completing.

What is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application For Federal Student Aid.

It is the first step in accessing federal financial aid for college, university, and trade school. Completing the FAFSA opens the door to grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and federal loans, making post-secondary education more accessible and affordable.

Filling out the FAFSA is critical, as billions of dollars in federal aid go unclaimed each year. In 2023, High School seniors left over $4 billion in Pell Grants unclaimed and an estimated 36% of high school graduates from Wisconsin did not submit their FAFSA. Our goal is to ensure every student completes their FAFSA to access the financial aid they deserve.

Why is the FAFSA important?

Completing the FAFSA can unlock financial aid Completing the FAFSA can unlock financial aid opportunities such as grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and low-interest federal student loans. It’s a crucial step in making college more affordable.

How do I get started?

This video provides a step-by-step guide on how to begin your FAFSA application, including creating an FSA ID, gathering necessary documents, and filling out the required sections. Follow along to simplify the process and ensure you complete your application accurately.

How can I Prepare for the FAFSA?

There are steps you can take to best prepare for completing the FAFSA, whether it's with a FAST member, on your own, with your parent or guardian, or at your high school with the help of your school counselor. Click the button below to learn more about the necessary steps, required documents, and additional resources.

FAFSA Completion Dashboard Coming Soon!

We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of our FAFSA Completion Dashboard, a powerful tool designed to track FAFSA completion rates for high schools in Racine and Kenosha, in partnership with Building Our Future.

This new dashboard will provide real-time data on progress toward FAFSA completion goals, offering schools and counselors insights to better support their students. While data won’t be available immediately after the FAFSA opens, this tool will help schools monitor their progress and identify opportunities for improvement throughout the FAFSA cycle.

College & Career Exploration Resources

Planning your future can be overwhelming, but exploring the right resources can make all the difference. High Expectations has partnered with the Education Opportunity Center in Kenosha to support you in making informed decisions about your future education and career goals. To learn more and connect with the EOC, click here.

Need Help or Have Questions?

Contact Lizeth Brito, Project Manager

lizeth.brito@career2cradle.org
(262) 204-7435

Connect With Post-Secondary Institutions

Click on the images below to visit the financial aid department websites for our local institutions of higher learning!

University of Wisconsin - Parkside

Financial Aid

Office: 262-595-2574
Fax: 262-595-2216
finaid@uwp.edu

Carthage College

Financial Aid Department

Office: 262-551-6002
studentfinances@carthage.edu

Gateway Technical College

Financial Aid Office

Office: 1-800-247-7122
fao@gtc.edu