College Access Services for North Carolinians March 6, 2009

College Foundation of North Carolina is a joint effort of Pathways of North Carolina*, College Foundation, Inc. and the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. Pathways* is a partnership requested by the UNC Board of Governors and funded by the 1999 General Assembly that includes the following: Department of Public Instruction (K-12) NC Community College System (58) NC Independent Colleges and Universities (36) UNC System (16)

State agency responsible for statewide college aid programs – grants scholarships, loans, 529 savings 501(c)(3) nonprofit - administers grants, loans and savings program on behalf of the state State-funded K-16 partnership administered by UNC General Administration CFNC Partner Matrix

To increase the college-going rate in North Carolina with particular attention toward “first-generation” college students. Two obstacles facing first-generation college students: (1) Can I really go to college? (2) Can I afford to go to college? GOALGOAL Primary Goal of CFNC = Access

Technology and Internet Services Career Center Student Planner College Fair Online Applications and HS Transcripts Paying for College Saving for College Resource Center and Regional Representatives Toll-free Number for Career, College, & Financial Aid Planning Personal Responses to Publications Training. Presentations and Workshops Hispanic Services CFNC GEAR UP North Carolina Low-income (FRL) school students $37 million Two grants from Dept of Education ( ) 35 NC counties 14,000+ students CFNC Access Services

CFNC.org Website

My CFNC Create an account Keep track of your college applications Keep track of your student financial aid information

CFNC Career Center –Career goals CFNC Bridges Planning Tools –Find out about careers, salaries, job prospects, majors, and universities Information for middle school and high school students Student – Career Matching Assistant Career Information –Fastest growing careers, educational requirements Careers in Nursing and Education Career Center

CFNC Bridges Tools - available FREE Kindergarten to Adults

Elementary Students - Paws in Jobland Engaging and interactive Text and spoken word Focus is on learning about the world of work

Middle School Students – Choices Explorer Built with middle school students in mind Perfect place to begin exploring college and career options

Career Center – Choices Explorer

High School Students – Choices Planner Built with high school students in mind Continue exploring college and career options

Career Center – Choices Planner

College and Older – Choices Planner Career Transitions Built for college students and adults

Career Center – Nursing and Education North Carolina needs nurses and teachers!

Student Planner Plan your education to meet college and university entrance requirements Information for –High School Students –Transfer Students College Test Preparation College Preparation Opportunities Online Learning Opportunities Financial Literacy

Student Planner – College Test Prep

View Transfer Student Guarantees offered by the CAA Transferable Course Equivalencies for all CAA General Education courses between NCCCS and any UNC institution. A list of Transfer Students most frequently asked questions Majority of courses taken by students participating in a dual enrollment program covered Transfer Student Planner & Articulation

College Fair Information on North Carolina colleges and universities Compare campuses Take virtual tours Find campuses that match your specific requirements

College Fair – Campus Tours

College Fair – Matching Assistant

College Fair – Admissions Requirements

College Fair – Cost Information

Online Applications College Admission Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) High School Transcripts Loan Applications College Funds Installment Payment Plan

Online Applications – College Application Week CFNC and CACRAO sponsor College Application Week at high schools throughout the state in the fall

265 NCWise high schools currently participating 96 additional NCWise schools added in October 2008 for the following counties: Alamance-Burlington Beaufort Bladen Carteret Chatham Cleveland Currituck Dare Durham Greene Harnett Henderson Hickory City Hyde All public high schools should be live with e-transcripts late summer (exceptions: Wake and Charlotte- Mecklenburg) CFNC Transcript System Jones Lee Lenoir Martin Newton-Conover Pender Rutherford Vance Currently Targeting Q to have 5 pilot High Schools live in Wake County

CFNC Participating NCWise Schools

Information can be updated throughout the year in the Control Center. Peterson’s automatic update occurs in March All campuses encouraged to review CFNC Campus Tour data twice a year and to confirm that “Date last updated” is current College Fair was visited 189,000 times and viewed 405,000 times in year CFNC College Fair Information

College Redirection Help is on its way! Open from April 1 to August 31

Purpose: To assist students who have been denied admission from the institution of their choice and are seeking opportunities to pursue Higher Education in the fall. Goal: For every student in the College Redirection Pool to be contacted by at least one college or university. Participation History: In five years, over 3,000 students have participated in the College Redirection Pool. Dates Available: April 1 – August 31 CFNC College Redirection Pool

Paying for College Financial Aid Primer Grants and Scholarships Loan Programs Debt Management Tools and Calculators –NC Financial Aid Estimator –Smart Borrower Calculator –Education Loan Repayment –Savings –Budget

Paying For College

Paying for College – Scholarships and Grants

Student Portal provides dynamic application processing

Student applies for one of the SEAA administered programs

On-line data entry increases accuracy and timeliness

Paperless on-line application is completed

Paying for College – Loan Programs

CFNC Resources Student Loan Repayment Calculator

Financial Aid Programs College Payment Plan Private Student Loans Other Loans Don’t Get Hooked

Paying for College – NC Financial Aid Estimator

Paying for College – Smart Borrower Calculator Considers your career choice in determining what is a manageable student loan debt

Paying for College -- Financial Literacy 101

Paying For College – Good Financial Habits Tools and Calculators

NC 529 Plan: College Savings North Carolina’s 529 College Savings Plan Program Description Investment Options Tax Advantages Savings Calculators

Additional CFNC Services Spanish-Language Services Servicios en español disponibles –CFNC en Espanol at CFNC.org –College Planning Publications available in Spanish

9,686 visits per day/average length per visit 13 minutes 2,461,441 user accounts 1,270,332 online admission applications 98,710 High school transcripts CFNC.org Site Usage

Source: Tom Mortenson, Postsecondary Education Opportunity Newsletter Feb. 2008