Financial Aid February
As part of Financial Aid Awareness month, NCSEAA and CFNC are pleased to continue the How to Pay for College webinar series. Students and their families are often confused about how to bridge the gap between family funds, financial aid and the total cost of paying for college. Funding a college education shouldn’t be a mystery. Having a better understanding of the funding landscape can help families build a sound plan so students can focus on their studies. If you missed the earlier sessions, you can find How to Pay for College and Ask the Experts: Scholarship Panel in CFNC’s How To Pay for College YouTube Channel.
We will cover all the important topics you need to know to pay for college:
Week 1 – Only Use What You Need: Student Loan Options and Minimization Strategies
Many students want to limit their use of loans to close the gap between financial aid, family funds and the total cost of attending college. This session will share the different types of student loans available and provide a student’s perspective on ways they monitor their loan balance to only take out what they need.
Thursday, February 8, 2024, 6-7 pm
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/8017037931209/WN_Dj_ZOTHKRACrKHc4Hcbx0w
Presenter:
Jenni Johnson, NCSEAA FAFSA outreach manager
Ka’Nijuh Tillery, John M. Belk Endowment Impact Fellow
Week 2 – How to Pay for College | Strategies for Middle Income Families
What do you do if you don’t qualify for Pell Grants and can’t afford to fully fund your child’s college education? In this session, we’ll talk about how to reduce the cost of college upfront, some financial aid strategies and other sources of aid you might not have thought of.
Thursday, February 15, 2024, 6-7 pm
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/2517038865769/WN_KKgpyeDoRouXuW-pVoK3FA
Presenters:
Neftali Cabrales-Vick, NCSEAA outreach coordinator
Kathy Hastings, Director of Outreach and Communications.
Week 3 – FAFSA’s done – show me the money!
Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps you can take in accessing financial aid to help pay for college. But there may still be steps to take once your application is submitted. In this session we will share how to read your FAFSA Submission Summary, how to correct errors, what to do if you get selected for verification and how to work with your college financial aid office if you or your family’s financial situation has changed.
Thursday, February 22, 2024, 6-7 pm
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/3717038868984/WN_01msNDMyRee1gEQJh1f-9w
Presenter:
Lee Bray, director of financial aid, Pitt Community College
Host: Neftali Cabrales-Vick, NCSEAA outreach coordinator
Week 4 – Evaluating financial aid award letters
The cost of going to a private college can be very different from going to a public college or university so it can be hard to understand the financial aid award letters you receive from each institution and compare apples to apples. In this session we will help you consider the financial aid award packages you received so you can make the best choice for your education goals.
Thursday, February 29, 2024, 6-7 pm
Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/1517037938668/WN_wueyiwKhReKkyGD9fXYKWA
Presenter:
Timeka Ruffin, CFNC Representative
Host: Jenni Johnson, NCSEAA FAFSA outreach manager