M3 partners, mayor, county exec: fill out FAFSA to open doors to college

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley joined M³ partners in December to stress the importance of filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA. 

M³ connects Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to transform the community through education. Completing FAFSA unlocks access to federal financial aid, state aid, scholarships and more, the partners shared with students during an event at MPS’ James Madison Academic Campus.

And MPS graduates have a successful track record to build on: more than 61% of last year’s graduates completed the FAFSA, Interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan noted, a rate about 10 points higher than the Wisconsin and national average.

This year’s MPS seniors can work with their school counselors or the College and Career Center (CACC) at their high school. CACCs will host FAFSA events and provide one-on-one assistance. Details are at mpsmke.com/FAFSA.

MATC also supports the work in part through sending staff to high school financial aid events, President Dr. Anthony Cruz said. The college’s free-tuition MATC Promise for New High School Graduates requires students to complete FAFSA. MATC also works with its current students to fill out the FAFSA, which must be completed each year to access financial aid and scholarship funds. 

Most students at UWM — 89% — receive financial aid, Chancellor Dr. Mark Mone said. He noted that Federal Pell Grants are a form of aid that does not need to be repaid, but students must complete the FAFSA to access them. Wisconsin students left more than $57 million in Pell funds on the table by not completing FAFSA. 

Mayor Johnson and County Executive Crowley stressed the importance of FAFSA completion for the benefit of the entire community. 

About M³ 

M³ is approaching its first decade of partnering to build bridges toward better lives across the region. Here are just a few highlights of its ongoing impact.

• 700 MPS seniors have earned 8,000 college credits at UWM and MATC through M³ College Connections.
• 900 MPS juniors streamlined their college admissions process in the first year of the new M³ Milwaukee Direct Admit program.
• 5,000 MPS students have explored careers at M³ work-based learning job fairs.
• Nearly 1,000 MPS college-bound seniors have participated in the first two years of Smart Start to solidify transitions to MATC and UWM.