College Resources & News from CFNC

In eighth grade, college may still feel like a distant dream. But in a few years, you will meet the moment you’ve been waiting for: the first day of college! It’s a great time to do some basic preparation for your future.

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) provides tons of information developed specifically for career exploration for students. The career planning page on the CFNC website makes it easy and fun to examine your interests in order to find a career path that’s right for you.

Figuring out how to pay for college can be overwhelming, especially because there are so many college funding sources available. From federal and private loans to different types of savings accounts and investments, it can be difficult to know which option is best.

College is a great, and sometimes vital, asset to pursuing a variety of careers, and now is a good time to start the search. But knowing where to start can be daunting. Fortunately, College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) has tools and resources to help you find out what every 10th grader should know to prepare for college.

If you decide to tackle the SAT, how do you set yourself up for success? This SAT study guide will help you prepare for college admission testing and determine how you need to study to meet your goals.

If the wait for college decision dates has you stressed, not to worry. We’ve got you covered with all the tips and information you’ll need to make the wait as stress-free as possible!

As you prepare to apply for college, you may notice that each school has different admission requirements. Some colleges may only ask for your high school transcript, but others may also require a student essay and letter of recommendation.
Families can now save for college and retirement at the same time with the NC 529 Plan, North Carolina’s National Education Savings Program. Starting in 2024, excess NC 529 funds can be rolled over tax-free into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary, thanks to a provision in the SECURE 2.0 Act.

There are some circumstances in which a student may need to withdraw a college application before the school makes a decision. You may have changed your mind about applying to a college or university, or you may have accepted a different offer. That’s all okay! However, once you make your decision, you should let the schools know your plans.

When you save for your child’s college education, you make more than a financial investment — you invest in their future success and well-being. Recent studies show that college graduates earn an average of $1 million more than high school graduates over a lifetime and that higher income is a strong predictor for better health and overall life satisfaction.