NC Countdown to College
October 2021
North Carolina’s annual campaign to support college access is during the month of October and is named NC Countdown to College. Activities during the month support high school seniors in completing three important college enrollment steps: residency, FAFSA, and applications. College Application Week will be October 18-22, 2021, when many NC colleges and universities waive their application fees.
Events at NWCCA
College Application Assistance
Ms. Campbell will be in room 1203 every day during College Application Week (10/18 - 10/22) during Griffin's Den to help with applications, RDS, and FAFSA. Make sure to bring your device to the help sessions.
College Planning Workshops at NWCCA
Each day during College Application Week there will be a workshop on a different topic during Griffin's Den in the Media Center.
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Complete the Scavenger Hunt form and turn in to Ms. Campbell by 10/15/21. Seniors with the most correct answers will win college themed prizes.
Countdown to College for Parents
This is an annual event to support hs seniors in completing three important college enrollment steps: Residency, FAFSA, & Applications.
Use this page & the Countdown to College Application Checklist as a guide to help you & your student get started.
Use this page & the Countdown to College Application Checklist as a guide to help you & your student get started.
Event Information
Virtual Parent Help Session for College Apps/Financial Aid
Do you have questions about you student's applications for the financial aid process? Join Ms. Campbell, School Counselor, and Ms. Sykes, Financial Aid Counselor on Thursday, October 14th from 12:00pm - 1:00pm. We will be available during that hour to answer any questions to help you and your student complete applications and the financial aid process.
Google Meet link: meet.google.com/kkh-rdjw-fss
When?
Thursday, Oct 14, 2021, 12:00 PM
Where?
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Information from CFNC
CFNC College Admission Checklist
A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying to College
Live Virtual Event Calendar
Click on the event on the calendar to register.
NC Schools Waiving Application Fees
Check out the list of NC colleges and universities that are waiving application fees on CFNC.org during College Application Week! October 18-22.
UNC System Virtual Open House
The UNC System Office is pleased to host the second annual UNC System Virtual Open House! This year current students from each university will share about their college experience and answer questions live. Please see the event details below.
Platform: Zoom Webinar
Website: https://www.northcarolina.edu/unc-system-virtual-open-house/
Registration: https://northcarolina-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B5ZR8a9iTMK83K-lWXYbpQ
FAFSA Day - October 23rd
FAFSA Day is back! On October 23, campuses across the state will be hosting parking lot drive-in sessions for students & their families who need help with the FAFSA. Click the button above to register. Https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/fafsa-day/
Week 1 - Imagine Your Future 10/1/21 - 10/8/21
Things to Accomplish This Week:
- Create a MyCFNC account if you don’t already have one.
- Utilize Plan a Career tools and information to identify potential careers.
- Find colleges that are right for you using College Search and Explore Programs and Majors. This will help you narrow down the list of colleges you will apply to later this month.
- Apply for FSA IDs – both the student and one of the parents need FSA IDs in order to complete and submit the FAFSA form in Week 2. (fsaid.ed.gov)
CFNC: How to Create Your Account on CFNC.org
Week 2 - Financial Aid 101, FAFSA and RDS 10/11/21 - 10/15/21
Things to Accomplish This Week:
- Decide which schools you will apply to during College Application Week (10/18-10/22). Many NC colleges and universities waive their fees during these weeks. See who.
- Speak with counselors concerning fee waiver forms if applicable (ACT, College Board Fee Waiver) to use for schools that are not waiving fees during College Application Weeks.
- Some applications require an essay or personal statement. Review application requirements for the schools you plan to apply to and prepare these in advance.
- File your Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) after October 1st in order to begin the financial aid process for college. This one form allows you to apply for federal and state grants (free money for college), federal work-study, and federal student loans. Many colleges also require the FAFSA as part of the application process for institutional scholarships. Review necessary documentation before getting started.
- Complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS). This is important for both in-state tuition and financial aid, as the RDS application allows students to apply for in-state Residency, as well as North Carolina state grants. Review necessary documentation before getting started.
CFNC: How To Complete Residency Determination Service (RDS) on CFNC.org
Week 3 - Application Week 10/18/21 - 10/22/21
Things to Accomplish This Week:
- Begin your college applications this week by first going to the Application Hub on CFNC.org. This will ensure that you are directed to the preferred application for admission. Some colleges use multiple applications like the Common App and the CFNC.org application. During College Application Week (10/18-10/22) we encourage you to use the CFNC.org application whenever possible since it is the only website that we can guarantee will waive application fees for participating colleges and universities.
- Complete and submit the FAFSA form with help from parents or legal guardians. (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa/)
- Complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS) process (www.ncresidency.org), if you have not already. This is an important part of the application and financial aid process, as it allows you to apply for in-state Residency for tuition purposes as well as become eligible for state grants (in conjunction with the FAFSA form being completed).
CFNC: Applications on CFNC.org
Week 4 - I Applied. Now What? 10/25/21 - 10/29/21
Things to Accomplish This Week:
- Submit transcripts on CFNC.org, if you have not already. Many students will have done this while submitting applications on CFNC.org. If you used another website to submit an application this month, such as the college’s direct website or Common App, you can still use CFNC.org to send official high school transcripts to your colleges. A final transcript will also be sent approximately ten days after grades are posted at the end of your senior year. (https://www.cfnc.org/media/oygbxsqi/electronic-transcripts-faq-student.pdf).
- Follow up with your colleges to see if you have submitted everything that you need to for admissions. You can also track applications on CFNC.org.
- If you have not already, begin submitting scholarship applications. You can look for local scholarships (ask your school counselor), institutional scholarships (look on your college’s website or ask the school), national scholarships, and North Carolina scholarships (https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search/). Never pay for scholarship information.
CFNC: Transcripts on CFNC.org
Helpful Resources
- College Application Checklist
- Apply to College
- College Application FAQs
- Practice Application
- Information needed for FAFSA and RDS
- 10 things to know before you start RDS
- Admissions Essay Tips
- ACT & SAT Preparation
- FAFSA-RDS Timeline (English)
- Electronic Transcripts FAQ
- What Happens After NC Countdown to College
- I applied now what
- Scholarship Search
- 20 Things to Know About Financing College
- Going to College Without Going Broke
- Tips on Paying for College
- Don’t Get Hooked – Financial Aid Scams
Helpful Spanish Resources:
- FAFSA-RDS Timeline (Spanish)
- Comparación de RDS y FAFSA
- Guía de RDS
- El Proceso de la FAFSA
- Estado de dependencia de FAFSA
- Planilla de preparación del FAFSA en línea
- Consejos para Completar FAFSA para Estudiantes con Padres Sin Número de Seguro Social
- Navegando FAFSA & RDS para prepararse para la universidad
- Conceptos básicos de RDS para estudiantes de preparatoria/high school
- RDS para estudiantes con padres indocumentados
- Reconsideración y apelaciones de RDS
- Comprender una oferta de ayuda financiera de una universidad pública en Carolina del Norte
- no te dejes enganchar