The FAFSA Tracker is a free application created by Data Insight Partners to support the advancement of all students towards college and career readiness.
FAFSA Application Counts - downloaded daily from the U.S. Department of Education ( Link).
State Enrollment Estimates - Western Interstate Comission for Higher Education, Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates, 2016
There have been numerous research studies demonstrating the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to college matriculation:
The analysis suggests that pre-population and assistance with the FAFSA has a substantial impact on the likelihood of submitting an aid application. Most importantly, the program increased college enrollment rates the following school year. Enrollment rates increased 30 percent among high school seniors and 20 percent for young adults already out of high school, with particularly large results for those with annual incomes less than $22,000. The program also increased the percentage who received a federal student grant.
Article - THE FAFSA PROJECT: Results from the H&R Block FAFSA Experiment and Next Steps
What Works Clearinghouse Review of Study