College Planning & Scholarships

Digital Packet from College Application Seminar

Policy on Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduate Admission for the University of North Carolina System

Important Steps to Follow:

• CFNC.org Account Creation
  • Essential for NC college applications
  • Access to college planning tools
  • Scholarship search capabilities
• NC Residency Determination Service (RDS)
  • Required to qualify for in-state tuition
  • Complete before college applications
  • Have SSN (yours and your parents) and tax information ready
• FAFSA 
  • Apply for Financial Aid for the year in which you will be in college. (i.e. it is currently the 2026-2027 school year but you will be applying for aid for the 2027-2028 school year when you will be in college)

Navigating the College Application Journey

Understanding the College Application Process

• College applications are your gateway to higher education
• Typically submitted during senior year of high school
• Components include
  • Application forms (college website, CFNC, CommonApp)
  • Transcripts (must come directly from your high school)
  • NC RDS (must be completed to qualify for in-state tuition)
  • Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)
  • Essays
  • Letters of recommendation
• Each college may have unique requirements
• Deadlines vary, but many fall between November and April(ish)

Researching and Selecting Colleges

• Start by assessing your academic interests and career goals
• Consider factors like
  • Location
  • Size of student body
  • Available majors and programs
  • Campus culture
  • Cost and financial aid options
• Use resources like college websites, CFNC, and campus visits
• Create a balanced list of:
  • "Reach" schools (more competitive)
  • "Match" schools (align with your profile)
  • "Safety" schools (likely acceptance)
• Aim for 6-8 schools on your final list

Crafting a Compelling Application

• Highlight your strengths and unique qualities
• Academic achievements:
  • GPA
  • Challenging coursework
  • Academic awards
• Extracurricular activities:
  • Leadership roles
  • Community service
  • Sports, arts, or other pursuits
• Personal essay:
  • Showcase your voice and experiences
  • Address the prompt thoughtfully
  • Revise and proofread carefully (ask your English teacher, counselor, or other trusted adult to assist with editing)
• Letters of recommendation:
  • Choose recommenders who know you well
  • Kindly ask if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you
  • Provide them with necessary information 
  • Give them plenty of notice so they have time to write about how awesome you are

Managing Deadlines and Submissions

• Create a timeline for each application
• Common deadlines:
  • Early Decision (ED): Usually in November
  • Early Action (EA): Often in November or December
  • Regular Decision: Typically in the Spring
• Keep track of:
  • Application due dates
  • Financial aid deadlines (FAFSA)
  • Scholarship applications
• Submit all materials well before deadlines
• Follow up to ensure all parts of your application are received
• Stay organized with a spreadsheet or application tracking tool

After Applying: Next Steps

• Monitor your email for communications from colleges
• Prepare for potential interviews
• Continue to maintain strong grades (avoid "senioritis")
• Apply for scholarships and financial aid
• Once accepted:
  • Compare offers carefully
  • Consider visiting or revisiting top choices
  • Make your final decision by the national response deadline (May 1ish)
• Celebrate your accomplishments and prepare for the transition to college life!