Looking for ways to help pay for college?

There are lots of different avenues to take to pay for college. The first step towards paying for college is always filling out the FAFSA. This will determine your eligibility for state and federal aid including grants, scholarships, and loans. After this, you can begin the hunt for scholarships. Lastly, there are loan options for students and parents. Remember that there are many options for you to pay for school. Apply early and always give those who are writing reference letters or completing forms for you at least a 30 day notice. Also make sure to check your personal bank, local businesses and work place for scholarship programs.

What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is an online form that students (with help from their parents or guardians) complete to apply and qualify for federal financial aid (grants and loans) to help pay for college. It will generate a financial report that will be sent to each college or university you apply for, so that they can determine your estimated cost of attending college. The FAFSA report helps them determine your expected family contribution to decide how much money a student is eligible to receive in the form or grants or loans.

The FAFSA opens in October of each year for students who will begin college the next calendar year.

Parents or guardians should have their tax information to make it easier to apply for the FAFSA – the earlier the better!

The Office of Federal Student Aid has some great resources on completing the FAFSA:

Filling Out the FAFSA form

​FAFSA: Applying for AID

How Aid Is Calculated

Ready to start? You can begin filling out your FAFSA HERE

Outside Scholarship & Financial Aid Links

CMS Scholarships - CMS online scholarship guide

FastWeb - Student Resource Network for paying for colleges

FinAid - The SmartStudent guide to financial aid

Scholarsite - Scholarship search

Scholarships - Scholarship search

Foundations for the Carolinas - 150 Scholarship funds

Find Tuition - Find College Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Student Loans

College Scholarships - Find College scholarships, college testing prep, and online college programs

GoCollege - College and Scholarship Search Website

City of College Dream - Making College Dreams Come True

College Board - Admissions and Financial Aid information

College Foundation of NC - Helping you plan, apply, and pay for colleges in North Carolina

Federal Student Aid - Federal Student Aid information

Free Application for Federal Student Aid - FAFSA Application

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) - Information about Financial Aid

North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NCASFAA) - Financial Aid information for North Carolina

Provided below are links to individual scholarship sites. Open the links to find out more information and to apply for the scholarships.

Scholarship Links