CFNC: It's Not Too Late to Fill Out FAFSA for College Financial Aid

RALEIGH, N.C., March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- College Foundation of North Carolina reminds all students planning to attend college this fall that it is not too late to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Completing the FAFSA is the important first step in seeking state and federal financial aid, including need-based scholarships and grants, and low-cost federal loans.

Students should file a FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for all available financial assistance.  Filing the FAFSA is free and the form can be completed and submitted online at www.fafsa.gov.  This year the online FAFSA has been made shorter, and many people find it easier to complete, especially if they've already filed their 2009 taxes.

If students or parents have questions, they may call College Foundation of North Carolina toll-free at 1-866-866-CFNC for assistance – which is also free.  You shouldn't have to pay for information on financial aid.  To avoid misleading financial aid offers, take a look at the paying-for-college resource, "Don't Get Hooked," under Resources and Videos at CFNC.org

Other free college planning information is also available at the College Foundation of North Carolina website, CFNC.org.  Families can find college cost estimators, listings of scholarship, grant and loan opportunities, information about North Carolina's 529 college savings plan, career information, virtual tours of more than 100 of the state's college campuses and online college admission and financial aid applications.  

About CFNC

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina that helps students plan, apply, and pay for college. CFNC is a partnership of Pathways, the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc.  

• Pathways, created by the N.C. General Assembly in 1999, is a state-wide initiative to increase the college-going rate of North Carolinians by providing: comprehensive college and career planning resources; electronic applications and transcripts accepted by all 110 North Carolina colleges and universities; and, information on student financial aid and college affordability. Pathways is administered by The University of North Carolina General Administration in collaboration with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the N.C. Community College System, and the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities.
• The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), established in 1965, is the State agency that promotes access to higher education by administering financial aid and savings programs, informing students and families about paying for college, teaching educators about financial aid administration, and advocating for resources to support students.
• College Foundation, Inc. (CFI), a nonprofit corporation serving North Carolina students and families since 1955, administers a portfolio of more than $4 billion, including low-interest federal education loans, the State's college grant programs, and the tax-free "529" college savings program on behalf of the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority. CFI also delivers information to North Carolina students and families about paying for college and provides technology services for CFNC.org.

CFNC offers resources toll-free at 1-866-866-CFNC and at CFNC.org.

SOURCE College Foundation of North Carolina