Bridge 2 Life and Broward Education Foundation, in partnership with Broward County Public Schools, the University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University and Broward College not only had the first Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submitted in the country during the U.S. Department of Education’s first phase beta testing for the 2025-26 program, but they also led the country in the number of completed FAFSA submissions.

The Office of Federal Student Aid selected six sites for the first round of beta testing in September that included Bridge 2 Life and Broward Education Foundation in Florida, as well as fellow members of the National College Attainment Network in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, California, and Virginia.

“The goal here is to improve access to higher education and increase FAFSA completion rates,” said James A. Knapp, president and CEO of Broward Education Foundation. “We are committed to ensuring our students have the resources they need to pursue higher education, and we are so happy that many of our students and their families took advantage of this opportunity.”

During the first round of FAFSA beta testing, Bridge 2 Life and Broward Education Foundation, in comparison to the other sites, outpaced all other community-based organizations, hosting only one event that netted 240 completed FAFSA applications, setting a national standard for beta testing success.

"This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and the remarkable collaboration within our community," said Colleen Lockwood, executive director of Bridge 2 Life. "The FAFSA Beta process gives early access to the form ahead of its public launch on December 1, and many families need guidance navigating it — that's where we step in. It's inspiring to see the number of lives we’re already impacting, and this is just the beginning."

Daniel Barkowitz, Assistant Vice President of the Office of Student Financial Assistance & Student Employment at University of Miami, who led the incredibly successful FAFSA workshops, says, “It is an honor to partner with Bridge 2 Life and Broward Education Foundation in cooperation with Federal Student Aid to provide a first-in-the-country opportunity to Broward County families to complete the 2025-26 FAFSA. The selection of Bridge 2 Life as an early partner by Federal Student Aid is a clear reflection of the reputational excellence and capabilities of the team.”

Building on this momentum, Bridge 2 Life and Broward Education Foundation are set to host two upcoming online FAFSA completion events on October 24 and November 4, 2024. Details are posted on browardbridge2life.com/fafsa. These events will provide more students and their families with early access to the FAFSA application process, offering personalized support to ensure their financial aid applications are completed successfully.

About Broward Education Foundation:

The nonprofit Broward Education Foundation aligns with Broward County Public Schools by providing grants for teachers who develop innovative curriculum that increases student outcomes; vitally needed school supplies for students and teachers in Title I schools; scholarships for qualified high school seniors; and support for programs and initiatives like Debate, Scholastic Chess, TurnAround Arts, STEM and more.  Each year, Broward Education Foundation contributes more than $3 million to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence.

For more information visit Broward EducationFoundation or BEFInfo@browardschools.com.

About Bridge 2 Life:

Bridge 2 Life, operating under the Broward Education Foundation, is dedicated to strengthening the local workforce pipeline by increasing the percentage of working-age adults in Broward County with a post-secondary degree or high-quality certificate to 65% by 2030. B2L provides students, who may have once seen college as unattainable, with the resources and support they need. In collaboration with K-12 schools, higher education institutions, industry partners, and out-of-school programs, B2L addresses the challenges of college affordability offering FAFSA and scholarship guidance, provides essential advising and mentoring services and career exploration and internships.

For more information, visit Bridge 2 Life

 

Click here for video of grateful Broward County Public Schools students and parents.

Photo captions:

1. Dillard High School students and members of the AV team with principal, Alfred L. Broomfield II
2. Members of the United States Department of Education with Daniel Barkowitz (second from left), Jeremy Singer (second from right) and Alfred L. Broomfield II, principal of Dillard High School

Photo credit: Broward Education Foundation