Smart Money Moves
Your monthly guide to Scholarships & Financial Aid Sept 2020
In this issue, you will find:
- QuestBridge National College Match virtual Q&A: September 16
- The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Opens October 1
- UNC School System Priority Filing Deadlines
- Download the myStudentAid mobile app
- CSS Financial Aid Profile
- Gardener Webb Tucker Scholarship
- 5 Things to Know for Parents and Students Currently repaying Federal Student Loans
- Wells Fargo Student Impact Scholarship
- Check out the latest DestinationCollege2021
- Questions? Schedule a virtual appointment!
Crosby Senior Academy virtual Q&A Session with QuestBridge! Sept 16 at 7:00PM
Don't miss your chance to learn more about The QuestBridge National College Match Program, a FREE program which helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to some of the nation's most selective colleges.
What: CSA #14 QuestBridge- Behind the Scenes with Admissions Officers (discussion led by QuestBridge)
When: September 16 @ 7:00pm
How to Attend: Students MUST register to attend in their Crosby Scholars Student Portal****
The FAFSA Opens October 1! Are you ready?
What is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
For many students, filling out and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is the first step toward figuring out how to pay for college. Filling out a FAFSA will let you know which types and how much financial aid you may qualify for. The 2021-22 FAFSA will be available on October 1 and will require you to use your 2019 Tax Return information.
Why do I need to fill out a FAFSA?
Colleges require a submitted FAFSA to determine a student's eligibility for Financial Aid, which can include a combination of scholarships, grants, and federal student loans. Colleges send each student who submits a FAFSA a detailed Financial Aid Award letter outlining which types and how much financial aid the student can expect to help cover their educational costs. The only way to know exactly how much Financial Aid you qualify for is to fill out and submit a FAFSA.
How do I fill out a FAFSA?
Filling out the FAFSA is FREE, only takes about 25 minutes to complete, and can be submitted electronically on a desktop computer, a tablet, or through a free mobile app called myStudentAid. Students and parents can download the myStudentAid mobile app from both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).
Does FAFSA have a deadline?
There are several FAFSA priority deadlines that you need to be aware of (the deadline for your state, a federal deadline, and an institutional deadline -- see below for more info on school specific deadlines.) The Federal deadline for the 21-22 FAFSA is June 30, 2022. Institutional FAFSA deadlines will vary by school, but can be as early as December 1, 2020.
North Carolina's state FAFSA priority deadline is as soon as possible after October 1, 2020.
The best way for you to ensure that you meet each of these deadlines, and that you are considered for the most federal and state aid, is to complete your FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1.
Please note: If citizenship requirements impact your ability to submit the FAFSA, please contact Ashly Wilson at awilson@crosbyscholars.org for guidance.
UNC School System FAFSA Priority Filing Deadlines
Make sure you know the institutional deadline for your school! Filing out and submitting your FAFSA by a school's Institutional priority deadline is the best way to ensure you will be considered for the most federal and state financial aid funds.
UNC School System FAFSA Priority Filing Dates
- Appalachian State University -- March 1st
- East Carolina University -- March 1st
- Elizabeth City State University -- March 1st
- Fayetteville State University -- January 15
- North Carolina A&T State University -- December 1st
- North Carolina Central University -- March 15th
- North Carolina State University -- March 1st
- University of North Carolina at Asheville -- March 1st
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill -- March 1st
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte -- March 1st
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro -- December 1st
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke -- March 1st
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington -- January 1st
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts – March 1st
- Western Carolina University -- January 1st
- Winston Salem State University -- March 1st
If you do not see your school listed, you can find their FAFSA priority deadline by checking the Financial Aid section of their website.
Download the myStudentAid mobile app
The myStudentAid app is the only app where you can fill out and submit the FAFSA.
With myStudentAid, you can apply for financial aid for college and keep tabs on the amount of federal student aid you use in the future.
Key Features of myStudentAid
- Application: Begin, complete, and submit a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the 2021-22 school year.
- Customization: Answer questions and see customized guidance based on who you are – a student, parent, or preparer
- Help: Get help and tips as you complete the FAFSA form
- Security: Know your information is secure with the same data protections used for the FAFSA form on fafsa.gov
CSS/FINANCIAL AID PROFILE
The College Board’s CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® is an online application that collects information used by almost 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award financial aid from sources outside of the federal government. Check your Crosby Scholars student portal to view a list of colleges that require the PROFILE®.
PROFILE applications can be accessed beginning October 1. If your school requires the CSS Profile, you should complete the Fall 2021/Spring 2022 PROFILE®.
The PROFILE Application is customized for the student and his or her family following registration. It contains questions about the student's and parents' households, income, assets, and expenses. Applicants are provided with step-by-step instructions and a customized Pre-Application Worksheet. (student.collegeboard.org/css)
** The CSS profile, unlike the FAFSA, is not free. It costs $25 to fill out and submit the form to one school. You’ll pay $16 each to submit to additional schools.
Gardner Webb Tucker Scholarship: Nominations Due October 31
Step 1: Ask a non-family member (Teacher, high school guidance counselor, youth pastor, or community business member) to nominate you for the Gardner Webb Tucker Scholarship! Nominations can be made by visiting the Gardner Webb Tucker Scholars Nomination form online. Nominations need to be made no later than October 31. Students must submit their application form no later than November 6.
This prestigious scholarship offers the recipient eight-semesters at GWU with full-tuition as well as room and board. Remember, students need to be nominated by non-family member to become eligible to apply.
5 Things to Know If You Are Currently Repaying Federal Student Loans
As a high school senior, you've probably only started thinking about Federal Student Loans and whether or not you'll need to borrow them to help cover your college costs next fall.
But, do you know anyone (an older sibling, a parent, or a friend) who may already be repaying their Federal Student Loans? If so, check out:
5 Things to Know About Current Repayment Flexibility and Your Federal Student Loans
If you’ve helped to make a difference in Forsyth County in 2020, then you should apply for the Wells Fargo Student Impact Scholarship!
The Wells Fargo Student Impact Scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship awarded to students that have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and have taken action to lift up and support their communities in 2020. You can apply for this scholarship any time between now and October 2, 2020! *Please note: this Scholarship is for recent 2020 High School Grads who will enroll in college or university in Spring 2021.
To be eligible for the Wells Fargo Student Impact Scholarship you must,
- Be intending to enroll or continue enrollment as a degree-seeking undergraduate student at an accredited U.S. college or university in Spring 2021
- Have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and have demonstrated financial need
- Have taken action towards uplifting and empowering your community in 2020
- Be a citizen, national, legal permanent resident of the United States, or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiary.
- Have applied for the 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if legally applicable.
- Complete the online application by the deadline (October 2, 2020).
Click here for more information about the Wells Fargo Student Impact Scholarship!
Don't miss the latest DestinationCollege21 Senior Newsletter!
Questions? Schedule a virtual appointment!
Schedule your appointment by reaching out to our Financial Aid Coordinator, Ashly Wilson
at 336-582-0015 or awilson@crosbyscholars.org
Crosby Scholars Community Partnership
Email: awilson@crosbyscholars.org
Website: www.crosbyscholars.org
Location: 2701 University Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Phone: 336-582-0015
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrosbyScholars?fref=ts
Twitter: @CrosbyScholars