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How to Pay for College With Little or No Money

March 17, 2020

A piggy bank representing a college fund stuffed with money.

Applying and getting ready for college can be a daunting task. On top of that, the responsibility of figuring out how to pay for school can be overwhelming. So, how do you pay for college if you have no money? There are many options available to help you pay for college expenses and make your dreams within your reach!

Fill Out the FAFSA

Step one of figuring out how to get financial aid for
college is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

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Easy & Simple Scholarships You Shouldn’t Overlook

October 16, 2019

Once you’re accepted into college, one
of the most pressing issues is how you’re going to pay for it. Still, after
filling out countless applications, the last thing you want to do is fill out
even more complicated forms and write long essays for scholarships.

While many require you to do exactly
that, some scholarships don’t require much effort to apply. Just remember that
you aren’t the only one taking this approach, so your competition will likely
be plentiful for these scholarships.

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Find Local Scholarships in Your State

September 9, 2019

A mortarboard representing scholarships on top of money.

Students across the country, and all over North Carolina,
are applying to college. The college application process is exciting,
stressful, and even overwhelming for many students and their parents. Of course,
the process doesn’t end when applications are sent off. After applications are
submitted it’s time for parents and students to start thinking about how
they’re going to pay for school.

Scholarships are easily one of the best ways for students
and families to pay for school.

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5 Steps to Prepare for Scholarship Search Season

August 14, 2019

A frustrated student applying for scholarships.

Listen up, high school juniors! It’s time to start thinking about the important steps to come as you prepare for the next journey in your life: college. For many, one of the more stressful aspects of college preparation is financial planning, which is why College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) encourages all students to seek scholarship opportunities to help cover the cost of higher education expenses; a process that usually commences in the fall semester of your senior year.

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How Expected Family Contribution Affects Financial Aid

July 29, 2019

Every parent wants their child to be accepted by the school of their dreams and to have the ability to pay for it. For most families, cost is a huge factor in choosing a college. Figuring out how to pay for higher education can be confusing. That’s because there are many factors to consider, including how much it will cost to attend each school and how much your family can afford to pay. Understanding the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is important in this process.

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FAFSA: How to Get Free Money for College

July 19, 2019

A FAFSA application waiting to be filled out next to a computer and free money.

Everyone likes free stuff, like an extra doughnut from your
favorite coffee shop on your birthday. But what about free money for college? You
could be missing out on an important source of funds if you don’t complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It’s the easiest way to qualify for free money in
the form of grants and scholarships. This may sound complicated, but the
process is very easy,

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How to Send Transcripts to Colleges

July 19, 2019

College visits are wrapping up, and you’re excitedly making
a list of your favorite college campuses. It’s time to start thinking about applying
to college and the info that schools will need to process your application. One
of the most important parts of the application process is sending high school
transcripts. Every student has a transcript that is updated each semester by
your high school counselor or main office. It’s an important tool to show
college admissions officers how prepared you are to attend their institution.

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Scholarship Applications Save Teens Time and Money

June 12, 2019

College is more of a necessity than ever to be successful in the workforce. Everyone agrees you need a college education, but they have a harder time figuring out how to pay for it. College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) seeks to raise awareness among students and their families of available scholarships and grants. When you look at the math, taking the time to apply for scholarships is a no-brainer when it comes to college.

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Understanding the Financial Aid Offer

May 21, 2019

Your hard work is paying off! You’ve been accepted by several of your top colleges, and you have a stack of acceptance letters just waiting for you to pick the school of your dreams. Around the same time your acceptance letters arrived, you probably received a financial aid offer from each school. These letters may seem confusing right now, but we will help you understand the different types of financial aid, so you can make an educated decision about which school makes the most financial sense for you.

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Financial Aid Scams Trick Local Families into Paying for Scholarships

January 2, 2019

N.C. Organizations Warn Families ‘Don’t Get Hooked’ by Misleading Financial Aid Offers

Multiple North Carolina families have fallen victim to scams surrounding the FAFSA and other financial aid programs statewide, losing hundreds of dollars. Scammers promise college scholarship or grant money to families if they agree to certain stipulations, like sending a check or signing up to pay for a service. Scammers time these offers during the college application season, so families are fooled into thinking they’re hearing from scholarship providers or the federal government.

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