Hagerty High School in Seminole County is going above and beyond to ensure seniors and their families are fully supported through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) processes. In recognition of these efforts, the school was honored as the 2025 FAFSA Trailblazer at the Talent Strong Florida Summit.
Kicking off the school year, the school hosted a Financial Aid Information Night, where students and families received a comprehensive overview of financial aid options. The session covered the FFAA, Bright Futures Scholarship requirements, and the many types of federal and state aid available to students. The event served as a vital introduction to the financial aid journey for families navigating the process for the first time. 
Following this event, school counselors—alongside partners from TRiO Connections for Central Florida—held in-school sessions over several days to assist every senior with completing their FFAA and creating their Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, a necessary first step for completing the FAFSA. These personalized sessions ensured students had the hands-on support they needed in a familiar and comfortable setting.
Recognizing that families often need flexibility, the school also hosted Financial Aid Lab Assistance events both at night and on weekends. These labs, staffed by the school’s College and Career Counselor and a TRiO team member, offered families one-on-one help with the FAFSA, allowing them to ask questions and resolve issues in real time. The area is also served by a local community coalition, upliftED.
For students with unique or complex financial circumstances, the College and Career Counselor continues to hold individualized meetings in collaboration with TRiO team members. These tailored sessions provide deeper guidance and ensure that even the most challenging cases receive expert attention. 
Through this multifaceted approach—combining events, individual support, community partnerships, and follow-up—the school is not only increasing FAFSA completion rates but also ensuring that every student has a real opportunity to access the financial aid they need for college. This initiative highlights how strong school-community collaboration and intentional outreach can break down barriers and open doors to postsecondary success for all students.
Congratulations to FCAN’s 2025 FAFSA Trailblazer!