Arizona high schoolers could receive free spring training tickets by completing the FAFSA form

PHOENIX — The Cactus League and the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) are partnering for the fourth year to get more students in college and in the ballpark.

Free spring training tickets are available for eligible high school seniors who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), with up to four tickets available per student.

The FAFSA is used to assess whether college students qualify for federal aid, including loans and grants. Most colleges require students to submit the FAFSA annually. Currently 30% of Arizona public high school seniors have completed the FAFSA this year, with a statewide goal of 48% by June 1.

ABOR Director of FAFSA and College Access Initiatives Julie Sainz said there has been a 1% to2% increase in FAFSA completion in the past four years of the spring training program.

“This past year, we had more than 4,500 tickets dispersed, (and) a little over 1,500 students actually take part in this incentive,” Sainz told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “This year, we hope for even more students.”

How can students apply for the free spring training tickets?

Bridget Binsbacher, executive director of the Cactus League, said the program sets up Arizona students for their academic future and gets more people into the ballpark.

“As far as the Cactus League goes, we’ve been talking for years about the massive economic impact,” Binsbacher said. “It’s more than $700 million each season. But with this partnership, we’re truly delivering another kind of impact and strengthening our state’s workforce by making sure that these students have the tools that they need to succeed.”

Students who complete the FAFSA form are 84% more likely to attend a postsecondary institution, according to data from the National College Attainment Network.

High school seniors can apply for spring training tickets online.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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