Higher Expectations for Racine County

10/13/2026

🎓 At the fourth annual Regional FAFSA Summit last week, partners came together to recognize schools making progress, pass the GOAT Trophy, and recognize October as FAFSA Month.

Hosted by Higher Expectations and Building Our Future, the Summit is part of our ongoing regional work to help more students access financial aid and pursue education after high school.

📸 Check out our recap and photos from this year’s Summit: https://www.higherexpectationsracinecounty.org/blog/2026/10/13/regional-fafsa-summit-celebrates-progress-and-strengthens-commitment-to-college-access

A special thank you to University of Wisconsin-Parkside for providing us a space to collaborate, and to our sponsors: Racine Unified Schools, Kenosha Unified School District, Carthage College, Gateway Technical College, UW-Parkside, Campbell Construction, Johnson Financial Group, and Educators Credit Union.

10/13/2026

Have you shared your input yet? We’re still looking to hear from parents and caregivers who live and/or work in Racine County!

Your feedback will help inform our work to advocate for more accessible child care in our community and across Wisconsin.

Take the survey here: bit.ly/RacineChildCareSurvey

Please share with other parents and caregivers!

10/13/2026

🎓 FAFSA Help Nights are underway in Racine & Kenosha this month! If you're a student who plans to attend college during the 2027–28 academic year, you can start the FAFSA now.

Completing the FAFSA is an important step in understanding what federal financial aid may be available, including grants, work-study, and student loans.

Join us, alongside Building Our Future for a FAFSA Help Night. Students and families from Racine & Kenosha are welcome!

Learn more by visiting: www.fastfafsa.org

10/13/2026

One of many upcoming FAFSA workshops happening during the month of October in Racine & Kensoha! Learn more here: https://www.higherexpectationsracinecounty.org/fafsa-help-nights

10/03/2026

🎓 FAFSA Help Nights are coming to Racine County!

If you or your student plans to attend college, technical college, or another eligible postsecondary program during the 2027–28 academic year, you can start the FAFSA now.

Completing the FAFSA is an important step in understanding what federal financial aid may be available, including grants, work-study, and student loans.

The YMCA is honored to join Building Our Future, Higher Expectations, and Junior Achievement in hosting a FAFSA Help Night at our Bray Center Branch. Students and families from Kenosha and Racine are welcome!

Computers will be provided for you to complete the FAFSA, along with college support staff to help answer any questions!

Bring your questions and get support taking the next step toward your postsecondary goals.

09/30/2026

Here’s a look at what the past couple of weeks of collaboration & learning have looked like at the Higher Expectations office! 📚➗

Our dream team has been busy getting our new Math Fellows ready for the school year, with Leanna Jones, Ron Willis and Amy Bloom from Higher Expectations and Racine Unified Schools leading training sessions for our Math Fellows, a new program alongside our Parent Grade Leads.

We’re excited to see what this group brings to our schools and families this year!💙

09/24/2026

🎓 The FAFSA is OPEN!

The 2027-28 FAFSA opened early, so students and families don't have to wait until October 1 to get started.

If you or your student plans to attend college, technical college or another eligible postsecondary program during the 2027-28 academic year, you can start the FAFSA now.

Completing the FAFSA is an important step toward finding out what federal financial aid you may be eligible for, including grants, work-study and student loans.

🔗 Complete the FAFSA: https://www.studentaid.gov/fafsa

09/17/2026

Next week on September 22, Wisconsin Early Childhood Association is bringing together child care professionals, parents, employers, local leaders, state elected officials, candidates, and community members for a conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing child care in our community.

📅 September 22, 2026
⏰ 6–8 p.m.
📍 3011 Erie Street, Racine, WI 53402

The event is open to the public, but registration is required here:

A public conversation about child care strategies and challenges in our community

09/16/2026

🎓 2 WEEKS UNTIL THE FAFSA OPENS!

Our region is getting ready.

The Regional FAFSA Workgroup through Higher Expectations for Racine County, Building Our Future, our school district partners, and postsecondary partners, is working together to make sure students and families across Racine and Kenosha counties have the information and support they need to complete the FAFSA.

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the form students complete to apply for federal financial aid for college.

The 2027-28 FAFSA opens October 1, 2026. Now is the time for students and families to start learning about the process and preparing for opening day.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.ed.gov/higher-education/paying-college/fafsar-what-you-need-know