It’s almost graduation season for area high schools. Our seniors have worked hard, studied well and prepared to take that next big step —attending college or a career school. But do they know how they are going to pay for it?

Unfortunately for many high school graduates, the daunting task of paying for college remains a major obstacle. What’s more, many graduating seniors are eligible for financial aid but either don’t know how to access it or get frustrated and abandon the process.

The Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) can solve financial aid issues for these students. The federal form takes about 30 minutes to complete online and can help students better understand their loan, grant and work study options. However, many seniors don’t know about this important resource.

The Puget Sound College and Career Network has identified this gap in student post-secondary success and is actively working to improve FAFSA completion rates. We are focusing on seven key school districts with historically low FAFSA participation rates: Auburn, Federal Way, Highline, Kent, Renton, Seattle and Tukwila.

Together, we are working to raise student awareness of the FAFSA form and improve completion rates, which currently hover at just around 40 percent. Boosting that figure will ensure more students gain access to important financial aid information and resources and get the financial help they need to attend and finish college. Many of these students, including first-generation college students and students of color, do not have the support of their families to pay for college or career training. Completing the FAFSA will help students determine their financial need and how much financial aid they can receive.

Between now and the end of June, the Puget Sound College and Career Network is launching a mini-campaign targeting high school students, predominantly juniors and seniors, to build awareness of FAFSA/WASFA and encourage them to complete the form. Because teens and mobile devices go together like caps and gowns, we are using social media to reach them and spur them to act.

But we know it will take a concerted effort beyond this one little campaign.

This fall, we will launch a much broader campaign aimed at a broader array of audiences, including school administrators, teachers, parents and community groups.

We also realize this campaign needs to be a multi-lingual effort in order to reach students and families in the targeted districts.

For now, we would encourage parents, grandparents, mentors, those in the faith-based communities and beyond to talk with graduating seniors about their financial aid needs for career schools and college. Encourage them to complete the FAFSA or WASFA and visit www.psccn.org if they need help.

Before students turn their tassels this June, let’s make sure everyone who needs financial aid completes their FAFSA or WASFA form. Because we want their next graduation — from college — to be every bit as special as this one.

Dr. Tammy Campbell is the superintendent of Federal Way Public Schools.