Downey, Warren recognized for increasing number of seniors who apply for financial aid

Warren High School hosts a college fair in 2017.

DOWNEY — In early August, Downey and Warren high schools were notified that they have been recognized for their success in the 2020 Race to Submit statewide campaign, sponsored by the California Student Aid Commission.

This statewide campaign is aimed at increasing the number of high school seniors who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Filling out these financial aid applications is the first step toward college success, helping students qualify for federal and state aid to help pay for college.

Finishing in first (Warren High) and second (Downey High) in their category, which is made up of high schools that have 800 graduating seniors or more, these two schools are among 24 California high schools with the highest completion rates in the state.

With over 50 percent of Downey Unified’s comprehensive high school seniors completing their a-g requirements making them eligible to apply to a California State University (CSU) or a University of California (UC), ranking in the top two provides the 2020 graduating class at both high schools an upper hand in obtaining financial aid to assist with their college tuition.    

“Your schools exemplify what we can do when working together on behalf of California high school seniors,” stated Marlene Garcia, Executive Director of the California Student Aid Commission.

The Race to Submit Dashboard tracked 2020-21 FAFSA and CADAA submission and completion rates as well as the number of grant award offers per school.  According to a letter that both schools received in honor of this accolade, the California Student Aid Commission certified that over 79 percent of Downey High seniors and over 83 percent of Warren High seniors have completed a FAFSA or CADAA applications and submitted their GPAs.

For two consecutive years, both comprehensive high schools in Downey Unified have been included within the top high schools designated with the highest financial aid application completion rates in the state of California.

Usually those awarded this recognition would be invited to the State Capitol to participate in a ceremony. However, in light of the pandemic, Downey and Warren High have been asked to join the Commission digitally by attending a Race to Submit virtual award ceremony at a later date.

Filling out these financial aid applications is the first step toward college success and helps students qualify for federal and state aid to help pay for college. These efforts were modeled after the successful 2017-18 FAFSA and CADAA Completion Initiative in Riverside.

The Race to Submit encourages all California high schools and districts to view and track their FAFSA and CADAA completion number. The online tool helps measure the number of submitted and completed applications. This initiative aims to motivate California high schools and districts to increase application count by supporting their students with FAFSA and CADAA submission.