Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) application available on CFNC.org/FELS: Qualified N.C. nursing, teaching, health students can apply

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) application for the 2013-14 academic year is now available at CFNC.org/FELS.  Qualified students committed to working in North Carolina in fields that have a critical need for more employees, such as nursing, teaching, allied health fields, or medicine, may apply for a FELS loan. The program was established by the North Carolina General Assembly and is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

The loan program provides financial assistance to help students with their higher education expenses.  Prior to receiving funding, recipients must sign a promissory note agreeing to pay back the loan after graduation either by working a year in an approved position in North Carolina for each academic year of funding received or by repaying the loan in cash.

Full details of the FELS program, the application, eligibility requirements, award amounts, loan repayment details and listings of qualifying academic programs and institutions can be found at www.CFNC.org/FELS. 

The application deadline is April 1, 2013.  For more information, contact College Foundation of North Carolina toll-free at 866-866-CFNC. 

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), 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, Inc.