CFNC: More than 4,500 students helped on FAFSA Day 2013

--It's not too late to complete a FAFSA to qualify for college scholarships, grants, loans--

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 4,500 North Carolina high school seniors and parents received free assistance on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on FAFSA Day 2013 last Saturday, February 23.  The event was held at locations in all 100 counties in North Carolina and involved 1,700 volunteers who helped students fill out their forms.  Many FAFSA Day attendees will be the first in their families to attend college.

FAFSA Day is an annual event sponsored by College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), the N.C. Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NCASFAA) and State Employees' Credit Union.  FAFSA Day locations included college campuses and SECU branch offices.  This was the third year in the event's 13-year history that locations were offered in all 100 N.C. counties.

The FAFSA is required to be considered for all federal and most state student financial aid, such as Pell Grant and state grants and scholarships which can be used to assist students attending community college and four-year colleges and universities.

Robbie Schultz of the N.C. State Assistance Authority and coordinator of FAFSA Day, said, "Despite the cold rain that blanketed the state last Saturday morning, thousands of students received assistance thanks to the help, organization and technical support provided by financial aid professionals and technology experts, SECU employees, school counselors and other volunteers at every location."

It is not too late to complete a FAFSA if you are planning to attend college next fall.  There is a link to the form at www.CFNC.org/fafsaday, as well as helpful videos and other information to ease the process.

FAFSA Day is one of many free services offered by College Foundation of North Carolina to help students of all ages.  At CFNC, families can find college cost estimators, listings of scholarship, details of grant and loan opportunities, information on North Carolina's, information on 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. Department of Public Instruction, N.C. Community Colleges, N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities, and The University of North Carolina), 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.
• 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), administers a large portfolio of education loans, several major grant and scholarship programs for students attending N.C. colleges and universities, and the tax-advantaged "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, assists colleges and universities with financial aid services, and provides technology support for CFNC.org.

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

SOURCE College Foundation of North Carolina