FAFSA Filing Is a Better Indicator of Student Interest Than Applications

Colleges across the country are seeing application numbers climb, and institutions naturally track FAFSA submissions as part of the enrollment cycle. But while both milestones are important, neither drives enrollment on their own. Instead, applications and FAFSA filing function as transactional signals and useful indicators of where a student is in the process, but not the deeper forces that shape whether they ultimately choose to enroll.

Increasingly, FAFSA filing is proving to be a more accurate signal of genuine enrollment intention than application volume, yet even FAFSA submission should be understood as a reflection of intent—not the cause of it. New data from the MeetYourClass Fall 2025 incoming student survey highlights why institutions must rethink how they interpret these indicators and focus more on the relationships, clarity, and community-building efforts that truly move students from interest to enrollment.

Applications Are High But They Don’t Tell the Full Story

National data shows continued growth in application volume. According to the Common App, first-year applications rose 8% year over year in 2025, exceeding 10 million submissions, with students applying to an average of 6.8 colleges.

Our survey data mirrors this trend but adds nuance. MeetYourClass respondents applied to a median of 5 colleges, with an interquartile range of 3 to 10. Because our sample includes students who don’t use the Common App, this lower median reinforces a long-standing reality:
Students outside the Common App ecosystem tend to apply more narrowly.

We also found no notable difference in application volume between first-generation and non–first-generation students.

Where differences do emerge is in the type of institution students ultimately choose:

• Students who enroll at private institutions applied to a median of 8 colleges.

• Students who enroll at public institutions applied to a median of 5 colleges.

This has major implications. Private institutions face a broader cross-app landscape, making yield increasingly competitive and more difficult to predict.

FAFSA Filing Tells a More Accurate Story of Intent

While application volume reflects curiosity or exploration, FAFSA filing reflects commitment.

National FAFSA figures can be misleading. The NCAN FAFSA Tracker reports an average 53.9% filing rate among all high school seniors, but this includes students who never planned to attend college. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 60% of high school graduates enroll in college—meaning many non-filers were never part of the college-going population to begin with.

When we look specifically at students planning to enroll, the picture changes dramatically.

MeetYourClass FAFSA Findings

• 83% filed a FAFSA

• 12% did not

• 4% did not know what the FAFSA was

• 90% of first-generation students filed successfully

These rates confirm that FAFSA completion is far more common among students who are truly moving toward enrollment. They may just not be reporting it to your institution.

This is why FAFSA filing is becoming a stronger early indicator of student intent. A student who has filed and reported it to your institution is more likely to be committed, engaged, and actively planning to attend.

What This Means for Your Institution

Applications show interest while FAFSA filing and reporting to your institution shows intention.

• Expect more cross-app competition. Students applying to private institutions are comparing more options than ever; your admitted students are likely juggling a large slate of alternatives.

• Low FAFSA filing signals low intent—not necessarily lack of ability. Because most college-going students complete the FAFSA, non-filers in your funnel may be less committed to attending college or less likely to enroll at your institution.

• First-gen students are highly active FAFSA filers. With 90% filing successfully, institutions should provide clear financial guidance to help them interpret awards, compare net price, and navigate next steps with confidence.

FAFSA filing is not a magic lever: simply focusing on increasing filings and reports to your institution will not, by itself, increase a student’s likelihood of enrolling. Rather, it is an organic indicator of intent when students choose to file and submit that information to you.

Recommendations for Engaging Students Beyond FAFSA

Instead of centering strategy solely around driving FAFSA completion, which is a transactional milestone, institutions should focus on building meaningful, relationship-driven engagement throughout the decision journey. Students, especially those applying broadly, are looking for signals of belonging, clarity, and support long before and long after financial aid steps occur. Consider:

• Create early community-building opportunities. Prospective and admitted student communities (through MeetYourClass, Instagram class pages, or other engagement channels) help students envision themselves on campus and build confidence in their choice.

• Offer clear, human-centered communication. Personalized outreach from admissions counselors, student ambassadors, academic departments, or financial aid staff reinforces trust and reduces anxiety about complex processes.

• Demystify the enrollment experience. Share simple guides, checklists, short videos, or peer-generated content that walk students through what to expect—from application to orientation.

• Highlight outcomes and value early. Career pathways, internship support, and alumni stories help students move from comparing “price tags” to assessing long-term return on investment.

• Provide steady touchpoints for first-gen and high-need students. Mentorship, peer connectors, and small-group sessions can make the process more navigable and help students feel seen and supported.

By diversifying engagement and focusing on connection, clarity, and community—not just financial form completion—institutions can strengthen intent, reduce melt, and help students make more confident decisions about where they belong.