10/24 Common Errors to Avoid on FAFSA:Mistakes can delay your application and limit the amount of aid you are eligible to receive. To avoid errors, carefully read all of the questions on the FAFSA. Some of the most common FAFSA errors are:
Leaving blank fields: Too many blanks may cause miscalculations and an application rejection. Enter a '0' or 'not applicable' instead of leaving a blank.
Using commas or decimal points in numeric fields: Always round to the nearest dollar.
Listing an incorrect Social Security Number or driver's license number: Double-check and triple-check these entries to ensure accuracy. If your parents do not have Social Security Numbers, list 000‐00-0000. Do not make up a number or include a Taxpayer Identification Number.
Failing to use your legal name: Your name must be listed on your FAFSA as it appears on your Social Security card. Don't enter nicknames or other variations on your name.
Entering the wrong address: Don't enter a temporary campus or summer address as your permanent address.
You need an account at cfnc.org. If you do not have one, you should make one!
HOW TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT IN CFNC.org. There are three steps for creating an account for a High School Student:
Enter your date of birth.
Choose your high school.
Enter your name and other information the way it prints on your report card. When you create your Account Name, check to make sure it is available by clicking on the button below the Account Name box. When you choose your Password, make sure you save it.
Are your students asking questions about the college admissions and the FAFSA processes? Encourage them and their parents to participate in two special online events this fall. These two webinars, "An Inside Look at the College Admissions Process" and "A Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the FAFSA" are designed with students, parents, and educators in mind! Here is a flyer with more info that you can share with your students and their parents:
Be at school and on time every day! Attendance is critical!!
Ask questions often!! Teachers and other school staff are here to help you.
Get involved! There are lots of clubs, activities, and sports to help enhance your high school experience. Additionally, extracurricular activities are not limited to Carson High School. We live in a wonderful community with endless options!
Begin to explore colleges and universities you may be interested in. Check out their admissions requirements and be sure that you have a competitive GPA. Take rigorous classes! Remember, the minimum requirements are just that...minimum!
Your school counselors are here to help you reach your highest potential. We will support you, advocate for you, and talk to you anytime!
Continue to explore colleges and universities you may be interested in. Check out their admission requirements to ensure that you register for the courses needed and maintain a competitive GPA. Remember, the minimum requirements are just that, minimum.
Register for rigorous courses for your junior year. Rigor looks different for everyone, talk to your teachers and school counselor to ensure you are on the right track.
Your school counselors want to help you reach your highest potential!!
Register to take the SAT or ACT, if appropriate, to meet your post secondary goals.
Consider volunteer experience in your area of interest. Internships are great for learning about the field you wish to study in college.
Register for a CFNC.org account to apply online if you don’t already have one. You can keep track of your accomplishments and community service by developing a resume at CFNC.org.
Conduct scholarship research over the summer. You want to start applying for scholarships at the beginning of your senior year! You can spend as much or as little time on scholarships as you would like. You will receive updates from Mrs. Trexler beginning in the fall of senior year about new scholarships through Gaggle email, Twitter (@CarsonGuidance) and parent emails, however, you should conduct many other searches on your own as well.
ATHLETES! If you intend to participate in college athletics at a Division I or II school, start yourNCAA Clearinghouse application at the END of the Junior Year.
Financial Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov Financial aid can be a difficult part of the college process. Don't worry! We have all the information you need! North Carolina and the Federal Government provide many financial aid programs.
North Carolina Provides:
The Education Lottery Scholarship.
The NCCommunity College Grant, which is only for Community Colleges.
The University of North Carolina Need-Based Grant - only for UNC System schools.
NC Need-Based Scholarship - for students attending private institutions.
NC Forgivable Educational Loans for Service - only if you are planning on nursing, medicine, allied health or teaching.
NC Reach - Child welfare postsecondary support program for students who live in foster care.
Federal Government Provides:
Federal Pell Grant - need based.
Federal Work Study - opportunity to work on campus.
Federal Perkins Loan - Low interest loans, plus the opportunity for loan forgiveness if you teach in a low income school. Click here for more information.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans - this includes the subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loan, parent loan, and gradplus.
TEACH Grant - Turns into an unsubsidized loan if you do not meet the service requirements.
Please use the link below to help you with understanding the different types of aid offered by the Federal Government. It will also tell you about who gets aid, applying for aid, and managing loans. StudentAid.ed.gov
Many colleges will not consider you for their school based scholarships if you do not fill out the FAFSA. This is the most critical piece of the puzzle when you look at how much money the college/university is willing to award you. You MUST fill out the FAFSA!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid The first step to finding out what financial aid you are eligible for is filling out the FAFSA. This is VERY important to begin the process of seeing what financial aid you are eligible for.
Warning Signs: - Many Students are unaware of free informational resources - Often student pays for help or for "guaranteed" aid before asking a knowledgeable adult for advice - Please use this link to make sure you are not being scammed! Don't Get Hooked
Common Fraud Complaints: - Paying for guaranteed aid and not receiving anything - Paying for help to find aid - Paying to file the FAFSA
COLLEGE INFORMATION CSO College Center: www.CSOCollegeCenter.org The College Board: www.collegeboard.com KnowHow2Go: www.knowhow2go.org Hobson’s CollegeView: www.collegeview.com Peterson’s: www.petersons.com The Common Application Online: www.commonapp.org Colleges That Change Lives: www.ctcl.org
FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION Federal Student Aid: http://studentaid.ed.gov Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.gov FAFSA4caster: www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov CSS/PROFILE: https://profileonline.collegeboard.com The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid: www.finaid.org FastWeb: www.fastweb.com FindTuition: www.findtuition.com Sallie Mae: www.salliemae.com
TESTING ACT: www.act.org ACT Fee Waiver Instructions: www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/feewaiver.html SAT: The College Board: www.collegeboard.com SAT Fee Waiver Instructions: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees/feewaivers.html Preliminary SAT (PSAT): www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html Free Test Prep from Number2.com: www.number2.com The Princeton Review: www.princetonreview.com Kaplan’s Test Prep: www.kaptest.com
ASSOCIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS AND RESEARCH/POLICY National Association for College Admission Counseling: www.nacacnet.org MemberPortal/United Negro College Fund (UNCF): www.uncf.org Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities: www.hacu.net/hacu/Default_EN.asp National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education: www.nafeo.org First In The Family: www.firstinthefamily.org
ATHLETICS The Official NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Web site: http://eligibilitycenter.org Campus Champs: www.campuschamps.org Athletic Aid: www.athleticaid.com
CAREERS The Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/oco
Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) 1-800-4-FED-AID