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College
Planning Last
Updated:
12/09/2011 05:16 PM
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Quick
Links:
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CFNC:
College
Foundation
of
North
Carolina
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Do
you have a CFNC account? That
stands for College Foundation of North Carolina and the website is http://www.cfnc.org
Here
you can keep a record of your high school grades and activities. You can
also apply online to colleges and submit financial aid applications.
This website is chock full of valuable information for college planning.
Make use of it!!
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HIGH
SCHOOL PLANNER: Create a personal academic portfolio of
planned and completed high school courses right here at CFNC.org! You
can access your electronic portfolio at school or home so counselors and
parents can help you develop the best plan to meet your academic goals.
Record your involvement in school and community activities, volunteering
experiences, recognitions, and track your testing scores, as well.
Click on the picture below to watch a video tutorial on the High School Planner!
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USING
CFNC TO APPLY TO COLLEGE: Online applications are easy to
use and are completely free except for the university's standard
application processing fee.
CFNC will
save your information to a database as you proceed through the
application process so you may apply to multiple campuses using the
same data.
Click on the picture below to watch a video
tutorial on using CFNC to Apply to College!
COLLEGE
REDIRECTION: College Foundation
of North Carolina (CFNC) has created the College Redirection module
which allows denied applicants who have not been accepted into their
school of choice to be recruited by colleges they may not have
considered.
If you choose to
participate in the College Redirection module, your name will be
submitted to a "pool" from which North Carolina colleges and
universities with open admissions slots can prospect.
This service is provided from April 1 through August 31.
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TRANSCRIPT MANAGER:
The
Transcript Manager allows public high school students in North
Carolina to electronically request their official high school
transcript and submit it with their application when applying online
through CFNC.org.
The Transcript Manager also lets students track their submitted
transcripts. They can view the date their transcript was sent, the
confirmation number of their transcript request, and the status of
their transcript. Through the Transcript Manager, students can also
verify that their transcript has been received by a particular
college or university.
Click on the picture below to watch a video
tutorial on using the Transcript Manager!
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CSS
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Financial
Aid PROFILE®: |
https://profileonlie.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp |
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The
PROFILE is the financial aid application service of the College
Board -- a national, not-for-profit membership association whose
mission is to connect students to college success and
opportunity. A number of colleges and universities and
scholarships require filling out the PROFILE. Click
HERE
to see if the school you are applying to requires the PROFILE. |
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College Guides: |
U.S.
Department of Education Institute of Education
Sciences's College Navigator
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
[CCS Policy - copy and paste into browser]
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Fact Book 2011: A Profile
of Career Colleges and Universities:
Prepared
by leading industry analysts, the Imagine America Foundation’s
Fact Book contains research and analysis of important trends in
the career college sector of higher education. It presents a
comprehensive look at the for-profit and career college sector of
higher education, as well as a comparison of public and private two-
and four-year institutions. It also contains research and analysis
of important trends in the career college sector, data on
enrollment, student benefits and outcomes, career college student
profile, default rates, return on investment statistics and job
opportunities for graduates.
www.imagine-america.org/05-fact-book.asp
[CCS Policy - copy and paste into browser]
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Click Below:
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Parents' Guide to North Carolina Colleges
http://nccollegeguide.com/
[CCS Policy - copy and paste into browser] |
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The Washington
Monthly College Guide and Rankings - unlike U.S. News
and World Report and similar guides, asks not what colleges can do
for you, but what colleges are doing for the country. Are they
educating low-income students, or just catering to the affluent?
Are they improving the quality of their teaching, or ducking
accountability for it? Are they trying to become more
productive—and if so, why is average tuition rising faster than health
care costs? Every year we lavish billions of tax dollars and other
public benefits on institutions of higher learning. This guide asks:
Are we getting the most for our money?
www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/toc_2010.php
[CCS Policy - copy and paste into browser] |
Click Below:
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www.WhatWillTheyLearn.com
This website asks a simple
question about today's students: What will they learn?
Specifically, will they gain the knowledge and skills they
need to compete in the global marketplace, lead our nation
thoughtfully, and be lifelong learners? Many college guides
and ranking systems measure institutions' prestige and
reputation, but no guide has looked at what students are
actually required to learn.
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College
Tech
Prep: |
http://www.ctpforme.com
What is CTP:
Cumberland County College Tech Prep (CTP) is a
partnership between Cumberland County Schools
and Fayetteville Technical Community College
that enables high school students to earn
college credits and gain work-based learning
experiences in their career interests before
graduating high school. In today's
high-tech environment, more and more careers
demand the experience and training that come
from a technical education system.
Students enrolled in CTP get a jump-start on
their high-skill careers—opening the doors to
higher wages and better advancement.
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College Transfer Programs: |
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Carolina Student
Transfer Excellence Program
(C-STEP) |
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The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and
Fayetteville Technical Community College have partnered
together to form the Carolina Student Transfer
Excellence Program, or C-STEP. C-STEP enables
community-college students to transfer to and graduate
from Carolina.
Talented low- and moderate-income high school students
are guaranteed eventual admission to Carolina if they
enroll at Fayetteville Technical Community College --
and complete the program successfully. Another
important consideration for any student considering
transferring to a four-year university is how to pay for
their education. Carolina guarantees to meet 100 percent
of every admitted student's demonstrated need through
grants, scholarships and loans.
For
more information and application please visit
http://admissions.unc.edu/CSTEP/
Application deadline is April
1, 2011 |
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Colleges
Waiving Application Fees: |
The following colleges and universities do not require
an application fee for 2010-11:
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All North Carolina Community Colleges |
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Lees-McRae College |
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Barton College |
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Methodist University |
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Belmont Abbey College |
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Mount Olive College |
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Catawba College |
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Queens University of Charlotte |
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Guilford College |
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Salem College |
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Johnson & Wales University |
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Warren Wilson College |
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Common
Black
College Application: |
Apply to
all 35 member institutions for a one time fee of $35!
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Alabama A & M University |
Lincoln
University |
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Alabama State University |
LeMoyne-Owen
College |
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Benedict College |
Mississippi
Valley State University |
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Bennett College |
Morris College |
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Central State
University |
Morgan State
University |
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Cheyney
University |
Norfolk State
University |
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Claflin
University |
Paine College |
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Clark Atlanta
University |
Philander Smith
College |
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Coppin State
University |
Savannah State
University |
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Dillard
University |
Saint Augustine's
College |
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Edward Waters
College |
South Carolina
State University |
| Fisk University |
Tougaloo College |
| Florida Memorial University |
Tuskegee University |
| Fort Valley State University |
Virginia State College |
| Huston-Tillotson University |
Voorhees College |
| Johnson C. Smith University |
Wilberforce University |
| Kentucky State University |
Wiley College |
Click HERE to go to the website!
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Exploring College Options: |
Exploring College Options is
a recruitment program sponsored by the undergraduate
admissions offices of five of the country's leading
universities: Duke University, Georgetown University,
Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and
Stanford University. Representatives from the five
universities will conduct brief slide presentations
about their institution and answer your questions about
the sometimes-mystifying world of college admissions.
You will learn what distinguishes one fine university
from another, what competitive colleges look for in the
selection process, and what you can do to enhance your
college application.
For more information and
to register please visit Exploring College Options
by clicking
HERE!
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FTCC
College
Connections: |
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Harvard
For
Free?
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Harvard
University has announced that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families will pay no tuition.
If your family earning less than $ 60,000 a year with an honor student
graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the
tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from now on
undergraduate students from low-income families can go to Harvard for
free...no tuition and no student loans! To find out more about Harvard
offering free tuition for families making less than $ 60,000 a year
visit Harvard's financial aid website at: http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/
or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581. |
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Military
Students: |
Open to Military Dependents and
Ft. Bragg / Pope AFB Employee Dependents in grades 9-12:
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Methodist University Yellow Ribbon Program Commitment
Veterans,
spouses, and dependents may qualify for Yellow Ribbon benefits. The
program in essence allows military affiliated students to attend MU
tuition free and to earn up to $2000 in stipends.
For
information contact
Randy Smith, Director of
Veterans Services,
at
630-7174 or visit
www.methodist.edu/Financial_Aid/veteran.htm |
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New
Minimum GPA, SAT, and ACT Admissions
Requirements
for Entrance to University
of North Carolina Campuses
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The University of North
Carolina has introduced a set of minimum admissions requirements
that will become effective in fall 2009, with incremental increases
through fall 2013.
Please
note that the new GPA, SAT and ACT scores are minimum scores and
most of the sixteen UNC campuses have requirements that are well beyond
these minimum scores. It is
advised to contact the individual campus to determine the specific
admission requirements for that campus.
The
minimum combined SAT score (on mathematics and critical reading) for
admission is 700 (or composite score of 15.)
The minimum high school GPA is 2.0.
The above SAT / ACT / GPA minimum score is effective for students
entering in Fall 2009.
The
minimum SAT score will be increased to 750 (or ACT composite score of 16)
and GPA will increase to 2.3 for students entering in Fall 2011.
The
minimum SAT score will increase to 800 (or ACT composite of 17) and GPA
will increase to 2.5 for students entering in Fall 2013 and beyond.
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Students
entering:
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Minimum
SAT
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Minimum
ACT
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Minimum
GPA
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Fall
2009
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700
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15
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2.0
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Fall
2010
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700
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15
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2.0
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Fall
2011
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750
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16
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2.3
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Fall
2012
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750
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16
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2.3
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Fall
2013
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800
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17
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2.5
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Next Step Magazine |
The NextStepU (NextStepU.com)
helps students plan for college, careers and life. Magazine is a
national publication for high school students that is distributed in
20,500 high schools in 50 states. |
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Sept / Oct 2010 Edition |
Nov / Dec 2010 Edition |
Jan / Feb 2011 Edition |
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March / April 2011 Edition |
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May / June 2011 Edition |
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Paying For College: |
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39911910/
Program
that aired on CNBC on 12.24.10 which every college bound senior and
their parent(s) NEED to watch it before deciding on which college to
attend.
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FAQ for Immigrant Illegal Undocumented Students: |
1)
What is the general policy for admitting undocumented students into NC’s
58 community colleges?
In September of 2009, and in March of 2010, the Board of the
North
Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) voted to admit
undocumented
immigrants to the state's 58 campuses. The NC General Assembly
adjourned
Saturday, July 10,
2010, without enacting a law to void the NCCCS rule
adopted in
March 2010. Therefore, the rule allowing admission of
undocumented
students is now in effect, with some key restrictions.
Undocumented students applying for curriculum courses must have
graduated from a US high school and may not
displace a
lawfully present student if classes are at capacity. These
restrictions do not apply for non-curriculum courses such as ESL and GED.
2) Who
should I speak with at my local community college about admissions if I
don’t have a social security number?
Not having a social security number does not make you different than
other applicants. Colleges should not inquire about your legal
status unless it is related to financial aid. It is recommended that you
fill out a paper application that will allow you to leave that part of
the application blank. If you apply on-line you can fill out
zeros for that part of the application.
3)
What are my options if the local community college tells me I can’t
enroll or does not admit me? Is there an appeals process? Can I
apply to another community college or four year university?
Since all community colleges are now accepting undocumented students, we
first suggest that you return with a copy of the NC Community College
System memo (there is a link on www.adelantenc.org) and with community
supporters (a teacher, parent, pastor, or other community leader).
Together you can express that you know the policy has changed. If you
want to appeal not being admitted, first see the Director of
Admissions. If this is not effective then contact the Vice
President for Academic Affairs.
4)
What classes am I eligible for if I don’t have a social security number?
You can
take any classes you want, just make sure that the programs that you are
enrolled in will not require you to take a state certification exam
(e.g., nursing). Theses courses require you to have a social
security number.
As we
understand it, an undocumented
student will
not be allowed to register for classes or be admitted into
a specific
program of study before the "last published (i.e. late) registration
period,"
which is before the first day of classes. This period is not the
same as the drop/add period.
5)
What documents do I need to take when I go to enroll?
You should call the admissions office or go to the college web
site to check, but most colleges require the following items:
Official copies of high school transcript– you have to call your high
school and ask them to send your transcript to the college of your
choice. Make sure you know the college admissions office address.
You will have to fill out an application, which you can obtain from the
college website or in person at the admissions office.
6) Will I be eligible
for in-state tuition if I am undocumented or don’t have a social
security number? No, at this
time you are required to pay out-of-state tuition.
7)
Where can I go for financial help if I am not eligible for in-state
tuition?
Look for scholarships that do not require you to be a US
Citizen or do not ask for your documentation status.
8)
What is the cost of a regular class for someone that is paying
out-of-state tuition in a community college?
The tuition fee for out-of-state students in all community
colleges in North Carolina is $248.50 per credit; if you are taking a 3
credit hour class it would be a total of $994 per class. Typically a
student takes between 24 and 30 credit hours per year for a total of
$7952 - $9940 per year.
9)
What is the Learn and Earn Program and how can I participate in it?
Learn and Earn allows students to earn college credits
while still in high school; in no more than five years, students can
earn a high school diploma and finish with two years of college
credit or earn an associate's degree, at no cost! To begin the process
of enrolling in Learn and Earn, contact your school guidance counselor.
They will provide you with specific information regarding your high
school. For more information:
http://www.nclearnandearn.gov/
10)
What is the DREAM Act and does it have any hope of passing?
The DREAM Act is a bill that has been introduced in the United States
Congress for ten years. If passed, the “Development, Relief, and
Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act” would restore states’ rights to
offer in-state tuition to immigrant students residing in their state and
provide a path to citizenship for hardworking immigrant youth who were
brought to the U.S. as young children and a path to pursue higher
education or military service.
Information from Adelante Education Coalition
Access
to Higher Education for Immigrant Students |
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College
Planning Acronyms: |
Taken from cfnc.org:
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English Version |
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AA: Associate of
Arts
AFA: Associate
of Fine Arts
AS: Associate
of Science
AAS: Associate
of Applied Science
AGE: Associate
in General Education
The AA, AFA, AS,
AAS, and AGE are two-year degrees granted by a community or
two-year college.
Contact the North
Carolina Community College System for more information about
the degrees and the colleges at
www.ncccs.cc.nc.us. |
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ACT (formerly
known as) American College Testing
The ACT is a
college entrance test covering English, math, reading and
science reasoning. If students take this exam in place
of an SAT, students must take optional writing section of
this test to be eligible for admission at any of the 16
campuses of the University of North Carolina.
For more
information please visit the ACT website at
www.act.org. |
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AP: Advanced
Placement
Advanced
Placement courses are challenging high school courses
created by College Board. If students receive high
enough scores on the optional Advanced Placement Tests,
they may receive advanced placement and/or credit for
college courses.
For more
information visit
www.collegeboard.com.
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ASVAB: Armed
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
Students may take
this test in the junior or senior year to identify their
areas of strength and weaknesses in career fields.
For more
information visit
www.asvabprogram.com. |
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BA/BS:
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s
degree, also called a baccalaureate or undergraduate degree,
is awarded when a student completes the requirements of an
undergraduate program at a four-year university. The
bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) are the
most common. |
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CFNC: College Foundation of North Carolina
CFNC is a free service of the State of North Carolina provided by
Pathways, College Foundation, Inc. and the North Carolina
State Education Assistance Authority to help students plan,
apply, and pay for college.
For more information about the sponsors and the services offered,
visit
CFNC.org. |
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CFI: College Foundation, Incorporated
Founded in 1955, CFI is a nonprofit corporation helping North
Carolina students and families with low-interest education
loans, college grants, and North Carolina’s tax-free 529
savings program. CFI is one of the partners that make CFNC
available. |
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CLEP: College Level Examination Program
Through CLEP exams, offered through the College Board, students
may earn college credit for independent study or life
experience.
For more information visit
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html. |
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COA: Cost of Attendance
The total cost of an education is determined by the financial aid
office of the institution and usually expressed as a yearly
figure. COA includes tuition and fees, room and board, an
allowance for books and supplies, transportation, and
miscellaneous expenses. |
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EFC: Expected Family Contribution
Data provided on the FAFSA (see below) is used to calculate a
family’s ability to pay for college expenses.
For more information visit
www.fafsa.ed.gov. |
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FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Students complete this form to be considered for Federal Title IV
financial assistance, including Stafford loans. The student
must include financial information on the student’s
household so that the expected family contribution (EFC) can
be calculated. The FAFSA can be filed online; FOTW stands
for FAFSA on the Web.
For more information visit
www.fafsa.ed.gov. |
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FFELP: Federal Family Education Loan Program
This program includes education loans made by private lenders and
guaranteed by the designated state guaranty agencies on
behalf of the federal government. North Carolina’s FFELP is
provided by nonprofit College Foundation, Inc. with the N.C.
State Education Assistance Authority as guarantor.
Subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans and PLUS
loans for graduate/professional students and parents are
included in the program. |
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GED: General Equivalency Diploma
This is a certificate students receive if they pass a high school
equivalency test. The certificate is an alternative to a
high school diploma and is accepted for admission at some
colleges. |
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GPA:
Grade Point Average
Grades students earn in high school and college are assigned
points (ex. A=4, B=3, etc.). Additional points may be given
for advanced courses. A student’s GPA is the sum of all
earned points divided by the number of courses taken. |
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MA: Master’s Degree
A master’s degree, one kind of graduate degree, is earned in a
specialized field after the completion of a bachelor’s or
undergraduate degree. |
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MCR: Minimum Course Requirements
The minimum courses a student needs to complete in high school to
apply for admission to one of the sixteen campuses of the
University of North Carolina. |
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MPN: Master Promissory Note
The MPN is a legal document you sign promising to repay a federal
education loan. The note also explains the terms and
conditions of the loan such as interest, fees, repayment,
late charges, and default. |
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NCAA: National Collegiate Athletic Association
Athletic scholarships for undergraduate student-athletes at many
colleges are funded partially by NCAA sports. These
scholarships are administered and awarded directly by the
colleges, not the NCAA.
For more information visit
www.ncaa.org. |
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NCCCG: North Carolina Community College Grant
Grants are available to North Carolina residents who demonstrate
financial need and are enrolled at a North Carolina
community college. |
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NCCCS: North Carolina Community College System
There are 58 community colleges in North Carolina serving
approximately 8,000,000 students per year.
For more information visit
www.ncccs.cc.nc.us. |
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NCELS: North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship
Need-based scholarships for North Carolina residents are funded
by proceeds from the North Carolina Education Lottery and
will be available beginning with the 2007-2008 academic
year. |
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NCLTG: North Carolina Legislative Tuition Grant
Every legal resident of North Carolina who has resided in the
state for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in a
degree-granting program at an eligible North Carolina
independent college or university on a full-time basis may
receive a tuition credit of up to $1900 from the state,
based on the availability of funds. Student must meet
eligibility requirements, and an application is required. |
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NCSIG: North Carolina Student Incentive Grant
These need-based grants are for North Carolina residents with
substantial financial need attending college in North
Carolina.
Students must file the FAFSA to be considered. |
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PHD: Doctoral Degree
A doctoral degree, also known as a doctorate, is the highest
educational degree that can be earned. |
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PIN: Personal Identification Number
The PIN serves as an electronic signature for FAFSA on the Web (FOTW).
It also provides access to the student’s personal on-line
records. |
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PLUS Loans
These loans are low-interest, federally-insured loans made to
parents of undergraduate students or to graduate and
professional students to help pay a student’s college
expenses. Borrowers do not have to demonstrate financial
need to qualify for PLUS loans, but do need to have good
credit history. |
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PSAT/ Preliminary SAT
NMSQT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
The PSAT/NMSQT measures verbal reasoning as well as critical
reading, writing, and mathematical skills and allows
students to familiarize themselves with the types of
questions found on the SAT (see below). Students take this
test in their sophomore and/or junior years. Scores are not
sent to colleges unless a student opts to send them.
Students taking the PSAT in their junior year will
automatically compete for National Merit Scholarships.
For more information visit
www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html. |
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SAP: Satisfactory Academic Progress
A student must be making satisfactory academic progress in order
to continue receiving federal aid. Each college or
university develops its own satisfactory academic progress
standards for financial aid eligibility. |
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SAR: Student Aid Report
The SAR is the official summary of the FAFSA (see above)
information and provides proof that the FAFSA has been
received. It indicates Federal Pell Grant eligibility and
EFC (see above).
For more information visit
www.fafsa.ed.gov. |
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SAT
The SAT Reasoning Test measures critical thinking skills that are
considered to be vital to academic success in college and
beyond. Often taken by high school juniors and seniors as a
precursor to college/university admission, the SAT assesses
a student’s critical reading, mathematical, and writing
skills. Students often take the test more than once in the
hope of achieving a higher score. All scores are reported
to colleges students designate when applying for admission.
Some colleges and universities also require students to
take the SAT Subject Tests which measure knowledge in
specific subject areas.
For more information visit
www.collegeboard.com |
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TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
The TOEFL is an English proficiency test often required for
international students whose first language is not
English. Required scores vary by college.
For more information visit
www.toefl.org.
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UNC-NBG: University of North Carolina System Need-Based
Grant
UNC need-based grants are for North Carolina residents attending
one of the 16 campuses of The University of North Carolina.
Students must file the FAFSA
to be considered. |
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College
Planning for
SOPHOMORES |
Taken from FederalStudentAid.ed.gov:
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English Version |
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Spanish Version |
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Taken from CollegeBoard.com:
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College
Planning
for JUNIORS |
Taken from FederalStudentAid.ed.gov:
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English Version |
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Spanish Version |
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Taken from CollegeBoard.com:
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College
Planning for
SENIORS |
Taken from FederalStudentAid.ed.gov:
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English Version |
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Spanish Version |
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Taken from CollegeBoard.com:
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