FAFSA Completion Initiative (FCI)​

WHAT IS THE FAFSA COMPLETION INITIATIVE?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion Initiative allows high school districts, high schools, local educational agencies (LEAs), and certain designated entities access to limited but valuable FAFSA information for Maryland students.  Participants can use the FAFSA information provided through FCI to determine which individual students have submitted a (FAFSA) and whether the FAFSA has any problems that requires corrections.

The goal of the FAFSA Completion Initiative is to assist Maryland students and their families in completing the FAFSA and make sure any unresolved issues or missing information on the FAFSA is resolved prior to the beginning of the student’s college academic year.

 

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE FAFSA COMPLETION INIATIVE?

Qualified participates include high school districts, high schools, designated entities approved by the U.S. Department of Education, and local educational agencies (LEA) approved and verified by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) as providing direct services to students related to postsecondary attendance.  Designated entities approved by the U.S. Department of Education include but are not limited to: The Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Student Support Services Programs (the TRIO Programs). 

 

HOW CAN SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATE?

Participates must complete the FAFSA Completion Initiative (FCI) Google Form and upload all required forms.

When completing the FCI Google Form certain forms are required:

      ·        Local Education Agencies (LEAs) must complete the LEA Verification Form and Participation Agreement.

      ·        Non-Profit Organizations must complete the Certification Form​ and Participation Agreement. 

      ·        High schools/districts must complete the Participation Agreement​.

​Completion of the required forms allows organizations to have limited access to a student’s FAFSA information through the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS).

Once all forms have been completed click here to complete the online FCI Participation Request Form.

If your high school, high school district, or designated entity already participates in the FAFSA Completion Initiative, but needs assistance in accessing their MDCAPS account, please email fafsa.mhec@maryland.gov.

 

WHEN CAN I BEGIN TO ACCESS THE FAFSA DATA?

Participating high schools, high school districts, and designated entities can begin to access FAFSA data for the applicable FAFSA cycle in MDCAPS after November 1 each year.

 

Participating users may review the FCI User Manual ​for assistance in accessing the FAFSA Data for their students.