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Application fees waived for many NC colleges, universities this week during NC Countdown to College

It's crunch time for high school seniors with college in their sights. Not only do they need to get those college applications in on time, but they also need to fill out critical paperwork for financial aid. CFNC's NC Countdown to College is here to help.

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By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
, Go Ask Mom editor

It's crunch time for high school seniors with college in their sights.

Not only do they need to get those college applications in on time, but they also need to fill out critical paperwork for financial aid.

In October, to help students and their parents and guardians, College Foundation of North Carolina is hosting its month-long college access event, called NC Countdown to College. It includes support and tips on everything from signing up through the Residency Determination Service to how to fill out the FAFSA to turning in those college applications, including waived application fees for many public and private schools across the state this week.

"It can be very intimidating the first time, having to complete these applications, especially for first generation students where they don't have that support, possibly, at home," said Sarita Broadway, CFNC regional representative. "So, by offering this free service, it allows them to be able to get assistance with completing these various applications that have critical deadlines."

The first two weeks of October focused on establishing in-state residency and the FAFSA, followed by this week's College Application Week. Here's what parents and their college-bound students need to know.

Residency Determination Service

Establishing residency is important regardless of what North Carolina college or university a student plans to attend, Broadway said. It determines a student's eligibility for in-state tuition and grants. It's best to head over to the Residency Determination Service website before applying to any N.C. schools. There, you can fill out the information to secure your Residency Certification Number, which will be important as you fill out applications.

FAFSA

Since Oct. 1, incoming and current college students have been able to complete their FAFSA - or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It's a vital first step toward receiving everything from state and federal grants to work-study assignments to some school-sponsored scholarships and more.

And though deadlines for filling out the FAFSA vary by college, it doesn't pay to wait. Some pots of money run out. If you wait, there may be less money to qualify for.

"Some schools base their financial aid on a first come, first served basis," Broadway said. "The earlier they apply, the better their chances."

Before students fill out the FAFSA, they'll need a Federal Student Aid Identification - or FSA ID - for both themselves and their parent. (It's like an alphabet soup of forms and applications, I know!).

The FSA ID gives students access to the online system where they can fill out the FAFSA. It also serves as a legal signature.

"Get your FSA ID number and then complete your FAFSA," Broadway said. "If you don't have that electronic signature, it will be put in a pending file until you get back to the website to put in the information."

For students and families who need more guidance on the form, CFNC has set up FAFSA Day on Oct. 27 with the North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the State Employees' Credit Union.

The FAFSA Day website has more information about the free event.

Application fees waived this week

From Oct. 15 to Oct. 19, many colleges and universities have waived their application fees to encourage students to get them done and provide a helping hand for students who might not be able to afford the fees. (On Monday, CFNC announced that the waiver was extended to 28 counties in North Carolina that were hit hard by Hurricane Florence. They include Johnston, Cumberland, Harnett, Lee and Wilson counties, among others.)
The list includes most public schools in the state, along with many other private ones, including Davidson College, Meredith College, Campbell University and more.

Applications fees, depending on how many schools a student is applying for, can get costly.

"They can really really add up if you're having to pay all of those fees out of pocket," Broadway said. "And there's no limit to how many applications they can complete through CFNC that week."

Ultimately, Broadway said, CFNC hopes to cement in college-bound students' minds that October is the month to finish up all of those college-related applications and paperwork.

"Regardless of whether they are participating in College Application Week, we want students to put their hat on and say, 'This is the time of the year where I complete my admission applications because I don't want to be behind. I don't want to be left out,'" Broadway said.

More information about this week's application fee waiver is on the NC Countdown to College website.

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