Smart Money Moves
Your monthly guide to Financial Aid Information: Sept 2018
In this issue, you will find:
- The FAFSA Opens October 1
- CSS Financial Aid Profile
- UNC School System Priority Filing Deadlines
- FAFSA & Scholarships Senior Academy opportunities
- FAFSA Day at WSSU
- FAFSA Workshops October 9 & 11
- College App Week
- Download the myStudentAid mobile app
- Don't miss DestinationCollege2019: Crosby Scholars Senior Newsletter!
- FREE Financial panel discussion for Women and Girls at WSSU
- Have Financial Aid Questions? Schedule a one-on-one appointment
And the Newsletter Title Contest Winner Is...
Congratulations, Esmeralda! Thank you for helping us name our Newsletter!
The FAFSA Opens October 1! Are you ready?
What is the FAFSA?
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 2019-20 FAFSA will be available on October 1 and will require you to use your 2017 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 19-20 FAFSA is June 30, 2020. Institutional FAFSA deadlines will vary by school, but can be as early as December 1, 2018. North Carolina's state FAFSA priority deadline is as soon as possible after October 1, 2018.
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.
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. You complete the Fall 2019/Spring 2020 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)
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
- North Carolina A&T State University -- December 1st
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro -- December 1st
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington -- January 1st
- Western Carolina University -- January 1st
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte -- January 1st
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill -- March 1st
- Eastern Carolina University -- March 1st
- University of North Carolina at Asheville -- March 1st
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke -- March 1st
- Winston Salem State University -- March 1st
- Appalachian State University -- March 1st
- Elizabeth City State University -- March 1st
- North Carolina State University -- March 1st
- North Carolina Central University -- March 15th
If you do not see your school listed, you can find their FAFSA priority deadline by checking the Financial Aid section of their website.
FAFSA Day at Winston-Salem State University
Winston Salem State University (and several other NC Colleges) will be hosting a FAFSA Day again this year -- Don't miss your chance for FREE one-on-one help. Don't forget to bring your 2017 tax information!
FAFSA Workshops October 9 & 11
FAFSA WORKSHOPS
Crosby Scholars staff and volunteers will be available to assist you in starting, working on, and completing your FAFSA. Register through your Crosby Scholars Student Portal.
CSA #17A FAFSA Lab will be held October 9th from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
CSA #17B FAFSA Lab will be held on October 9th from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
CSA #17C FAFSA Lab will be held on October 9th from 5:45-6:45 p.m.
CSA #17D FAFSA Lab will be held on October 11th from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
CSA #17E FAFSA Lab will be held on October 11th from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
CSA #17F FAFSA Lab will be held on October 11th from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
CSA #17G FAFSA Lab will be held on October 17th from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
CSA #17H FAFSA Lab will be held on October 17th from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
To successfully work on and complete your FAFSA you will need the following information:
- If already created, the FSA ID username and password for the student and ONE parent
- If the student/parent has not created an FSA ID, please bring the following:
- Student social security number, birth date, email address, and phone number
- Parent(s) social security number, birth date, email address, and phone number
- Parent financial information
- 2017 Taxes
- 2017 W2
- Student financial information (if the student filed taxes please bring the following)
- 2017 taxes
- 2017 W2
IMPORTANT: Students and families who arrive without this information cannot receive assistance. The information is critical in completing the FAFSA.
CFNC College App Week October 15 -- 19
North Carolina’s annual campaign to support college access is moving to the month of October this year and is now named NC Countdown to College. Activities during the month support high school seniors in completing three important college enrollment steps: residency determination, FAFSA, and applications. College Application Week will take place October 15th – 19th. During this week, volunteers at hundreds of NC high schools help students submit online applications for admission while some colleges offer application fee waivers.
Crosby Scholars will be hosting College Application Labs during this week:
- CSA #9I will be held on October 17th from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
- CSA #9J will be held on October 17th from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
- CSA #9K will be held on October 17th from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Visit the NC Countdown to College campaign site for more details and school registration information.
Visit the CFNC Application Hub to apply to college and send electronic high school transcripts.
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 2019-20 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
Don't Let Success Slip Away - A Panel Discussion For Young Women Who Want a Financially Secure Future
September 25th at Winston Salem State University from 6-8pm
Are you a young woman hoping to continue your education and enter the professional world? If that’s you, don’t miss this FREE event to address both the challenges and opportunities that await you!
WSSU and the Center for Smart Financial Choices invites you AND YOUR MOTHERS/AUNTIES/OLDER SISTERS to come and participate in the panel discussion, to engage in a financial activity and to hear from guest speaker Timogi Jackson. It is free for you and your female family members. Register everyone attending as a “Student”. There is a gift for the first 100 people who register! Register Here!
Have questions about Financial Aid?
Schedule an appointment with Ashly by clicking the button below.
Crosby Scholars Community Partnership
Email: awilson@crosbyscholars.org
Website: www.crosbyscholars.org
Location: 2701 University Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Phone: 336-725-5371
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrosbyScholars?fref=ts
Twitter: @CrosbyScholars