If there’s one thing we’ve all learned over the past few years, it’s that technology can be both a game-changer and a headache.

Many of us still remember the rollout of the new platform for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid two years ago. Designed to streamline the application process, it wound up causing frustration for students, families, and counselors alike.

Likewise, artificial intelligence feels like a boon in terms of saving time (which is not an inconsiderable benefit, given that most of us are carrying student loads that are well above ASCA suggested levels), but questions linger about the ethics surrounding AI use - both for us and our students.

The stories in this issue of the Insider reflect some important truths about technology, however. First, technology improves over time, which has certainly been the case for the FAFSA platform. Second, despite our concerns about AI, technology is a tool and it's our ethics, our authenticity, and our humanity that ensures these tools serve students well.

As counselors, we stand at the crossroads of technology and human connection. By embracing innovation thoughtfully and keeping our values at the center, we can prepare our students for the challenges - and opportunities - of this brave new world.

Sincerely,

Aja DeZeeuw
2025-2026 Chair
Arizona School Counselors Association

AzSCA Quarterly Board/Board at Large Meetings
Meetings held on Saturdays between 8 am and Noon
at the Mesa East Valley Institute of Technology
Register on the AzSCA.org website

November 15th meeting: Registration opens 9/29 and closes 10/13
January 10th meeting: Registration opens 11/24 and closes 12/8
April 18th meeting: Registration opens 3/2 and closes 3/16

Arizona continues to make strides in FAFSA completion. Last year, we met our goal of a 40% completion rate. That still put us 49th nationally in overall completion rates, but we were 6th in the nation for year-to-year growth, a sure sign of progress.

Even more encouraging, completion rates among seniors on free or reduce lunch programs jumped from 25% to 34% in the past year - a crucial gain, since these are the students most likely to qualify for federal student aid.

The goal for this year's overall completion rate is 48% - a nod to Arizona being the 48th state.

There is also a campaign that is offering financial incentives to individual Title 1 and public high schools to boost FAFSA completion rates, and about 80 schools have already signed up for the 50 by Fall Campaign. Schools can earn funds either by reaching 50% FAFSA completion among their senior class by Dec. 31 or by showing a 10% year-over-year increase between October and December. Funding is tiered based on senior class size, with additional support for Title I schools.

Another exciting opportunity: the FAFSA Scholarship program will launch in October, offering 25 scholarships of $2,000 each for Arizona students who complete the FAFSA and attend an in-state community college or public university (Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Arizona).

This year's FAFSA comes with some important improvements. 

• Simpler contributor invite: Students now only need an email address to invite a contributor. Previously, it required the full, legal name; a social security number; and an email tied to FSA ID.
• Contributor invite at the end of the form, instead of the middle, making it easier to find.
• Faster processing: Real-time SSN match eliminates the former 1–3 day wait between creating a student account and starting the FAFSA.
• Mixed-status families supported: Identity verification is no longer required for mixed-status students. Contributors who do not verify will just enter tax information manually.

The updated system has already been tested. More than 300 seniors at Corona del Sol High School completed their FAFSAs without major issues in the first round of beta testing. Students and families reported the process took only 20 to 30 minutes. A second round of beta testing is going on now through October 1, and any student with an FSA ID can sign up through their studentaid.gov account.

As of now, the FAFSA is expected to officially open October 1.

AzSCA's latest Professional Development webinar explored the potentials - and pitfalls - of artificial intelligence, and how it can be used by school counselors.

Russell Sabella, professor and program coordinator for the Department of Leadership, Counseling, and Human Development at Florida Gulf Coast University, is a strong proponent of using AI to increase efficiency and spur creativity.

"My whole career, I've lived by the three E's," he said. "How can I help school counselors be more effective and efficient and their jobs more enjoyable starting today? And I really think that AI is going to be - and already is - a game changer."

Dr. Sabella gave examples of how programs from ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, MagicSchool.ai, Groq (not to be confused with xAI's Grok), Co-Pilot and more can help streamline tasks from writing emails and recommendations to analyzing data. Those efficiencies can allow school counselors to spend more time with students directly, he said.

It can also spur innovation in how presentations are made, such as creating graphics for your written ideas - or even turning them into a video.

There are challenges and problems with AI that should concern counselors as well. AI output can be full of unfair biases or inaccuracies. There are issues with over-reliance on artificial intelligence as well as greater societal concerns, such as deep fakes, cyberbullying, and even the energy consumed by AI platforms. 

But perhaps the most important reason school counselors need to be AI savvy, he added, is our students.

"The question is how are kids who now have access to these powerful tools going to learn how to use AI responsibly," he said.

Many thanks to the Kristy Meyers and the Professional Development Committee for bringing this timely and informative webinar to our AzSCA members.