The Education Trust–New York announces 12 high schools as winners of The New York FAFSA Completion Challenge

By Liz Warden
Published by The Education Trust-New York on June 23, 2022

NEW YORK – The Education Trust–New York today recognized 12 public high schools across New York State for their work helping students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a critical step toward enabling students to access the financial aid that can be a key factor in whether students who are from low-income backgrounds have the opportunity to attend college.

We are so proud that our CBI partner high school, Central Park East High School, was among those who won the challenge (for the second year in a row!) Read more about CPEHS:

The college team at Central Park East High School utilizes senior seminar classes; remote office hours before, during, and after school; small application affinity groups; and individual meetings to support seniors through the college admissions and financial aid process. A team of 12 youth leaders also contributed to the school’s success with FAFSA completion. These selected leaders were trained in the application process through the school’s CollegeBound Initiative and were available to help their peers through the process. The college team also used social media to inform students and parents about college admissions-related tasks throughout the year. Esther, who will receive the FAFSA Challenge scholarship, leads by example. Throughout her four years at Central Park East High School, she immersed herself in service through the National Honors Society. Esther is a first-generation college student who plans to study nursing at Binghamton University. Through her experiences with programs such as MedDocs, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the Let’s Move Initiative, she developed a passion for helping others through service. Esther hopes to one day use her voice to motivate others to improve their health.