North Carolina students can apply to college for free during statewide College Application Week, October 21-27

CFNC Event Important Dates Apply

Students could save hundreds during dedicated week of waived application fees, as a part of annual Countdown to College initiative

RALEIGH, NC (Oct. 9, 2024) – For one week in October, students throughout North Carolina can submit college applications for free to many North Carolina colleges and universities. College Application Week will run from Oct. 21-27 as part of the College Foundation of North Carolina’s (CFNC) Countdown to College initiative, which highlights resources for North Carolina students and families to help plan, apply, and pay for college.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, there is a long road of recovery ahead for many students and families across North Carolina. Some students may still apply to college this month as planned, and others may need to alter plans. Resources will be available through CFNC.org throughout the Countdown to College kick-off month of October, but this information will also be available all year long to help students and families navigate the college-going process when the time is right.

"Each year, the Countdown to College campaign helps tens of thousands of students as they prepare for college throughout their senior year," said Andrea Poole, Executive Director of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. “While this is an important initiative, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene means that the college planning process will look different for many western North Carolina students. SEAA and its education partners are working diligently to provide additional resources and programs in the coming months for students impacted by the hurricane.” Research from the Lumina Foundation shows that a primary barrier for students to enroll in college is cost – highlighting the positive financial impact of initiatives such as CFNC’s College Application Week, which could save students hundreds of dollars during their college-going journey.

College Application Week is the highlight of the Countdown to College campaign. The initiative is a State-supported, statewide undertaking in partnership with high schools and college access organizations. Hundreds of school counselors and college advisors serve as Site Coordinators, organizing efforts to educate students on the college-going process and engage their families to share support, inspiring North Carolina high school seniors to invest in their future.

Key details about College Application Week:

Countdown to College highlights the resources available to help students and families navigate the three main steps of applying to college:

  • Residency: Verify North Carolina residency by completing the Residency Determination Service (RDS) to be eligible for in-state tuition and other forms of financial aid to save thousands in college costs.
  • FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the first step for receiving a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid. The FAFSA is also how students apply for the Next NC Scholarship, which helps most North Carolinians making $80,000 or less pay for their education by fully covering tuition and fees at any community college or more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees to attend any public university in the state.
  • Applications: Fill out college applications, including during College Application Week. Students can use the CFNC Application Hub to apply to NC colleges, send official high school transcripts, and monitor their progress in a single place.

How Students and Families Can Participate: Here are ways students and families across the state can take advantage of the free resources available through CFNC.org: 

  • Create a CFNC Account to save college searches, submit applications and more. Students can take advantage of waived application fees during College Application Week, Oct. 21-27, by applying through their CFNC account. Students may also qualify for fee waivers for the ACT and SAT that would allow them to be considered for a college application fee waiver – they should check with their school counselor.
  • Complete the process to verify North Carolina residency through Residency Determination Service (RDS) to qualify for in-state tuition and other types of financial aid.
  • Prepare for paying for college with CFNC’s financial-aid tools, including guidance on submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should create an account with studentaid.gov in order to be ready to submit the FAFSA when it becomes available in December.
  • Research colleges, universities, and non-degree certificate programs through CFNC’s College Search, where students can search by cost, academic programs, location, and other key facts.
  • Use the CFNC Scholarship Search to find ways to additional funds for college. Search by amount, deadline, eligibility, and more.
  • Send free transcripts through CFNC. Students and graduates of participating NC public high schools can use this service to send free official transcripts to North Carolina colleges and universities. 
  • Get a head start on applying to college with CFNC’s practice application and tips on writing admission essays.

About CFNC

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service provided by the State that assists residents with planning, applying, and paying for college. This uniquely comprehensive service provides information, tools, and resources so more North Carolinians can earn the credentials they need to support the futures they want — for themselves, their families, and the communities in which they live.

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