College Admissions
HOW DO I APPLY TO COLLEGE?
You've made your list, visited a few campuses, taken the SAT and/or ACT and have a general idea about what your essay will be about. So now what? How do you actually apply to college? There are several things you need to do to in order to apply:
Make an account on commonapp.org
Create an FSA ID
Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Fill out the Residency Determination form
Make an account on CFNC.org
Meet with Mrs Ubriaco for your Senior meeting (you'll get a copy of your transcript at this meeting)
Complete the NCAA Clearinghouse form if you plan on playing a college sport
The FAFSA application should be filled out by ALL students who are planning on attending either a 2 or 4 year college. Most students who apply will be eligible to receive Federal loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized), scholarships and grants. Additionally, students may qualify for work study programs to help pay for college. It is important to fill this form out so colleges can access your eligibility for need based aid.
Block out about 2 hours, sit down with your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) and work together to fill out the form. You will need the previous year's tax returns (for both your parent/guardian and you if you had a job). So those students who will be entering college in the Fall of 2023, your 2021 taxes are used. In most cases, you can link your taxes electronically from the IRS website (instructions are in the FAFSA form) which saves a lot of time and hassle. The FAFSA portal opens every year on October 1. The sooner you fill it out, the better your chances are of receiving aid from your accepted colleges.
For a quick reference sheet, CLICK HERE