The completion rate for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is one indicator of how many high-school seniors plan to continue on to college. This data can be viewed by school, school district, AEA, county and beyond. Go to: https://iowacollegeaid.gov/FAFSArates 

October 2024 Note: In December 2023, the "Better FAFSA" was rolled out, 3 months later than is typical. Available FAFSA completion data has seemingly been complicated by this roll out, though initial suggestions indicate mixed results in Story County high schools:

2022 Note: Since the covid-19 pandemic, the FAFSA rate has been lower than it had been. When subpopulations are looked at, the FAFSA rate is even lower than the overall average:

• By Gender: The FAFSA completion rate was 16% lower for Story County male seniors than for Story County female seniors in SY22.
• By Household Income: For Story County youth who qualified for free-or-reduced price lunch, the FAFSA completion rate was 39% (compared to 64% for non-FRPL eligible students) in SY22.
• By Race/Ethnicity: For Story County students who identified as a "racial/ethnic minority," FAFSA completion was 5% lower than for those who identified as "white/non-Hispanic." When Black and Latinx student completion rates are examined, an even more significant difference is found.