1. 1 All About the College Applications Process…

2. 2 Scope of this Workshop Colleges & Universities (Public/Private) Testing Admissions Financial Aid CFNC.org Colleges & Universities (Public/Private) Testing Admissions Financial Aid CFNC.org

3. 3 Finding the Right School… Admissions Location Size Public / Private Major Visit Don’t base on Cost Right Now…that decision can come later. Admissions Location Size Public / Private Major Visit Don’t base on Cost Right Now…that decision can come later.

4. 4 University of NC System 16 Member institutions Minimum Admissions Requirements (MAR) 4 Units of English (1,2,3,4) 4 Units of Math(Math I, II, III/Math Beyond ) 2 Units of the same foreign language SAT / ACT Score Min. GPA / SAT R&M / ACT 2.5 800 17 16 Member institutions Minimum Admissions Requirements (MAR) 4 Units of English (1,2,3,4) 4 Units of Math(Math I, II, III/Math Beyond ) 2 Units of the same foreign language SAT / ACT Score Min. GPA / SAT R&M / ACT 2.5 800 17

5. Financial Aid Presentation NCASFAA/ NCSEAA 5 NC Private Schools 36 Private Institutions In NC Each has it own standards for admission 36 Private Institutions In NC Each has it own standards for admission

6. 6 NC Community Colleges 58 schools in the community college system College Transfer / Diploma Program Open Admission Accuplacer Test & Computer Skills (unless exempt based on GPA/courses completed) 58 schools in the community college system College Transfer / Diploma Program Open Admission Accuplacer Test & Computer Skills (unless exempt based on GPA/courses completed)

7. 7 Testing ACT (ACTstudent.org) SAT (collegeboard.org) Must take the writing Accuplacer and Computer Skills Admissions test for RCCC ACT (ACTstudent.org) SAT (collegeboard.org) Must take the writing Accuplacer and Computer Skills Admissions test for RCCC

8. 8 College Application Week November 2-6, 2015 @ CFNC.org Focus on students who have not yet applied. Many private schools will waive application fee but most UNC System schools will not waive their fees. Beware - This date may be after the private schools scholarship deadlines. November 2-6, 2015 @ CFNC.org Focus on students who have not yet applied. Many private schools will waive application fee but most UNC System schools will not waive their fees. Beware - This date may be after the private schools scholarship deadlines.

9. 9 CFNC.org

10. CFNC Home Page

11. 11 Applying for Admissions Meet deadline of colleges in which you are interested Complete all questions accurately and completely Give time for people to write letter of recommendation Be Neat / Spell Check Keep a photocopy of all documents for your records Meet deadline of colleges in which you are interested Complete all questions accurately and completely Give time for people to write letter of recommendation Be Neat / Spell Check Keep a photocopy of all documents for your records

12. 12 Extra Curricular Demonstrated leadership Length of participation Accomplishments Demonstrated leadership Length of participation Accomplishments

13. 13 Recommendations / Essays Speak about you as an individual… what interests and/or excites you! How are you unique?? (What are you doing that others are not)

14. 14 Admissions Decisions GPA Rigor SAT / ACT Scores Extra Curricular Recommendations Essay GPA Rigor SAT / ACT Scores Extra Curricular Recommendations Essay

15. CFNC Financial Aid

16. 16 Types of Student Financial Aid Gifts Scholarships Grants Self Help Loans Employment

17. 17 Student Financial Aid Merit-based – academics – talent – athletic – others Need-based – financial considerations

18. 18 Student Financial Aid Need-based aid … Family is responsible for costs to the extent of its ability to pay college costs Provides access and choice Annual determination of eligibility Need-based aid … Family is responsible for costs to the extent of its ability to pay college costs Provides access and choice Annual determination of eligibility

19. Financial Aid Presentation NCASFAA/ NCSEAA 19 Applying for Federal Financial Aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) FAFSA day-February 2016 Required for all types of federal aid – Complete on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1st, preceding the academic year…Not www.fafsa.com – Results sent electronically to institutions listed by student on FAFSA and to the student

20. 20 Applying for State Financial Aid The FAFSA is the application for most major state programs. Other state programs may require additional forms or the College Scholarship Service PROFILE. See CFNC.org for details by program. The FAFSA is the application for most major state programs. Other state programs may require additional forms or the College Scholarship Service PROFILE. See CFNC.org for details by program.

21. 21 Offers may be: Legitimate offers of information and assistance – Example: CFNC.org and FAFSA Day Misleading offers from individuals or companies trying to make money off of unsuspecting parents and students Legitimate offers of information and assistance – Example: CFNC.org and FAFSA Day Misleading offers from individuals or companies trying to make money off of unsuspecting parents and students

22. Financial Aid Presentation NCASFAA/ NCSEAA 22 Where can you find truly free information about financial aid? Contact College Foundation of North Carolina at CFNC.org or toll free at 866-866-CFNC – Service of the State of North Carolina The Student Guide – Published by US Department of Education www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide Ask your high school counselor Talk to financial aid administrators at the college of your choice. Apply for federal financial aid at FAFSA.ed.gov (notice it is not FAFSA.com!)

23. FAFSA on the Web’s Homepage

24. 24 Senior ScholarshipsScholarships Statewide organizations Local organizations Churches Civic Groups Parents’ employers

25. 25 Resources Websites –CFNC.orgFAFSA.ed.gov –Finaid.comPetersons.com –Fastweb.comScholarships.com Counselors College admissions & financial aid offices Websites –CFNC.orgFAFSA.ed.gov –Finaid.comPetersons.com –Fastweb.comScholarships.com Counselors College admissions & financial aid offices

26. 26 Questions