Customized FAFSA Nudging Intervention

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12th Grade

About the Intervention

Customized FAFSA Nudging is a text message intervention that provides high school seniors with personalized, data-informed updates on their FAFSA submission and completion status. The intervention delivers weekly automated text messages from January through late April during students' senior year. Messages are customized based on students' actual FAFSA filing status (not yet started, submitted but incomplete, complete, or complete with income verification required). The outreach encourages students to use school and community supports for FAFSA filing, provides links to informational videos and resources, and enables students to text back for one-on-one assistance with their school counselor. The intervention also includes information about TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) for undocumented students. Messages remind students about FAFSA importance, deadlines, priority filing dates, and verification requirements. School counselors respond to incoming student questions via the text platform.

Statistical Findings

Positive effect on FAFSA submission

Positive effect on FAFSA completion

Positive effect on timely college enrollment

Positive effect on four-year college enrollment

Negative effect on two-year college enrollment

More Intervention Details

Focus Areas

N/A

Programs & Services

General Education

Delivery Methods

Online – Asynchronous, Hybrid

Disability Support

N/A

Target Groups

Student(s)

Source

C. Page, L., L. Castleman, B. & Meyer, K. (2020). Customized Nudging to Improve FAFSA Completion and Income Verification (EJ1244835). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1244835.pdf.

Study Demographics

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