Welcome to your Senior Year

Class of 2026!!!!!!

Scroll down this page for important information on scholarships, transcripts, Residency Determination, applying for financial aid through the FAFSA and more. 

Be sure to visit the College Resources & Scholarships tab for info on available scholarships!

12th Grade To-Do List:

Things to do:

• research colleges you are considering applying to: check application deadlines, majors, cost, etc. Check out cfnc.org, bigfuture.org and SCOIR (on your Student Startup Page)

• visit colleges you are considering attending. If you're not able to visit a school, check the colleges website for a virtual tour opportunity. 

• apply to your top colleges early! Try to submit applications by the end of October to increase your chances of admissions.

• be sure to request to have your transcript sent to the colleges you apply to. If applying through SCOIR or the college websites, request transcripts in SCOIR-go to the My Colleges tab and add the colleges you're apply to under the "Applying" column.

If applying through Common App, be sure to add your counselor's name and email address under the Recommenders tab so your transcript can be sent. 

• take the  SAT or ACT if required for admission by the colleges you are applying to. Many colleges are currently test optional meaning SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission.  **test scores may be used for some scholarship consideration-check with your colleges! 

• register for the SAT or ACT again if you'd like to try to increase your score

• if you're on free or reduced lunch, ask about a fee waiver for the SAT/ACT 

• complete a scholarship search - free scholarship search websites are listed under the College Resources & Scholarships tab on this webpage. Click HERE!

• update and complete your resume - use this template as a guide: Template. Major Clarity also has a great resume builder-from your Student Startup Page, click on Clever to access Major Clarity. 

• have you registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you plan on playing a college sport? Go to NCAA Eligibility Center to get started!

Key Questions to Ask When Choosing a College:

• Does the college have my major?

• Is the college location one that is a fit for me? Example: rural, urban, mountains, beach, etc.

• What else is important in considering a college? Consider size, location, campus environment, etc.

• What percentage of college freshman stay?

• What is the typical class size and how much individual attention will I receive?

• Are there opportunities for internships and/or study abroad?

• Is there an active Career Center to help me prepare for a successful job search after graduation?

• 10 questions to ask yourself when picking a college

• Are you thinking about applying to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)? Then, check out HBCUCONNECT.com.

How do I apply for college?

• Colleges and university applications are available to complete and submit online

• You may go directly to the college's Admissions website and apply, or you can use CFNC.org for all NC colleges.

• You may want to consider applying through the Common Application website. This online site allows you to apply to many colleges found in different states by filling out one application. 

• Whichever platform a student uses to apply to college, transcripts and recommendation letters will be requested and sent out through SCOIR. Students need to add each college they are applying to in SCOIR and will add their Common App ID or Application ID to link SCOIR with Common App or their application on the college website. See your counselor if you need help linking SCOIR or if you have any questions!

• The Universal College Application (UCA) is a new website (similar to the Common App) that allows you to apply to more than one college at once. Learn the differences between the Common App and the UCA here.

• CFNC College Application Week/Countdown to College- for one week every October, you can apply to many of the North Carolina colleges (mostly private) and have your application fee waived. Get some more info on this year's event HERE! 

Residency Determination

Students need to fill out Residency Determination to prove that you are a resident of North Carolina to be eligible for in-state tuition.

 North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) High School Students

 Seniors applying to In-State NC Colleges and Universities must fill out the RDS form in order to be eligible for In-State Tuition. Here are Important Things to remember and steps on how to complete the form:

                A.     Students complete RDS FIRST:

• BEFORE College Admission Applications

• INDEPENDENT if 24 or older (OR student MUST PROVE no financial dependence on parents)

• WITH parents if under 24 (RDS MUST have parent(s)’ information)

• FAFSA at the same time --- much of the information is the same

              B.      Students GO TO:  RDS at www.ncresidency.org

STEP 1)     Login to RDS using your CFNC User Name and Password (RESET, if you can’t remember)

STEP 2)     Update student Profile (BE ACCURATE – SSN and Date of Birth are critical)

STEP 3)     Do RDS Online Interview (student information and/or parent(s)’ information    

·         social security numbers (or other identifiable number)

·         tax return information

·         vehicle registration

·         driver’s license

·         voter registration

·         other information about residency in North Carolina

STEP 4)     Upload documents that RDS requires (RDS tells you if you need documents)

C.      Students MUST REMEMBER:

• BE ACCURATE            mistakes cause BIG problems in RDS and at the college(s)

• FINISH                          finish the RDS Interview OR request is cancelled and student starts over

• DON’T GUESS            RDS checks answers with other NC State Agencies

Guess/make-up answers = non-resident status

• SUBMIT DOCS           Student has 25 days.  Student is NOT done until RDS has required documents

D.     RDS Determination Screen – when students finish, they see:

• RCN                               Student’s Residency Certification Number (unique identifier that never changes)

• CLASSIFICATION       Student’s is “Resident or Non-resident” AND “In-State or Out-of-state Tuition”

• DOCUMENTS             Most students will not need documents

• RDS tells student if RDS needs documents and which ones

• Student UPLOADS or sends to RDS

• Student has 25 days.  Student is NOT done until RDS has required documents 

E.      Student DOES NOT AGREE with RDS determination?  Student can:

• Log in to RDS to review status, residency classification, and check for required documents

• Correct or enter additional information in a RECONSIDERATION

• Have 10 days to request an APPEAL (provide special information to prove NC residency)

• Call RDS toll-free:  844-319-3640

F.       Student then does COLLEGE ADMISSION APPLICATION(S):

• Student goes to CFNC.org APP HUB, Common App or college website for application

• Student RCN prefills on CFNC applications

• Student enters RCN when asked on other applications

Apply for Financial Aid and complete the FAFSA

FAFSA will open October 1st, 2025 this year

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Most students who apply will be eligible to receive federal loans, scholarships, grants and be eligible to participate in work-study programs to help families pay for the cost of college. If you are applying to a four year college or a two year community college you must fill this form out! ANYONE (no really, anyone) can fill out the FAFSA for FREE. You will need to sit down with your parents or legal guardians and work together to complete this form as it will require tax information. The FAFSA portal opens in October. 

Here's a Cheat Sheet to Help You Get Started!!

https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/creating-using-fsaid.pdf