FAFSA  stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s a form that students fill out to see if they can get money for college or career school. The money can come from the government, your state, or even the school you want to attend.  

When you fill out the FAFSA, you’re applying for:  

1. Grants – Free money you don’t have to pay back.  

2. Work-Study – A job at your school to help you earn money.  

3. Loans– Money you borrow and pay back later, with interest.  

It’s free to apply, and even if you think you won’t qualify, it’s still worth filling out because many schools and states use it to give out their own financial aid. Plus, some scholarships require you to submit the FAFSA too!  

The FAFSA for this year opens on December 1, 2024, so mark your calendar! Don’t wait—some (but not ALL)  aid is first come, first served! 

Fill out an application on https://studentaid.gov/

The FAFSA priority deadline is the date by which students should submit their FAFSA to get the best chance at receiving financial aid like grants, scholarships, and work-study. Colleges and states have different deadlines, but submitting early increases the chances of getting more free money for school.  

To be safe, students should aim to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens (usually in December for the 2024-25 school year). Many schools set priority deadlines around March 1 or earlier, but students should check their college’s website to be sure.

The North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) form is a way for the state to figure out if you qualify to pay in-state tuition for colleges in North Carolina.  

In-state tuition means you pay less money to go to college because you live in North Carolina. The RDS form checks things like:  

• How long you’ve lived in the state.  

• Where you (or your parents/guardians) work and pay taxes.  

Here’s why it’s important:  

If the RDS says you’re a North Carolina resident, you’ll save a lot of money on tuition for public in-state universities.  Plus, you might qualify for certain scholarships that are only available to NC residents.  

You’ll fill this form out online when applying to college. They’ll ask questions about your address, parents, and school history, so it’s a good idea to have your parents help you with it.  

Tip: Do this as soon as you start applying to colleges so everything is ready on time!