Hello 2023 Seniors! 
Please see Mrs. Filosa (kfilosa@ncmcs.org) in the Scholarship Office if you need help with any information on this page. Mrs. Filosa’s Office Hours:
Tuesdays & Wednesdays (8:00am – 4:15pm); Thursdays (8:00am – 11:30am)

General Information
This bulletin is provided as a springboard to start your college application process and scholarship search and does not reflect all information available. This page will be updated weekly (see email below) as new information and opportunities come in.
  • Military:
    • Military Family Scholarships - ncmcs.org/mcs-military-support/scholarships
    • Military Yellow Ribbon Schools - www.va.gov/education/yellow-ribbon-participating-schools/?state=NC
  • It is up to each individual student/family to use these resources to apply to college and to seek out scholarships.
  • Be very suspicious of scholarships or offers that seem “too good to be true,” or that promise guaranteed money if you come to a meeting or pay a fee. When in doubt about anything, feel free to contact your school counselor

​College Planning Information
  1. College Foundation of North Carolina (www.cfnc.org): You can research colleges and careers as well as find out financial aid info, including scholarships. Students may also apply to colleges in NC from this site and send transcripts for free from this site to any school in NC. There is a “forgot username/password” button you should use if you forget yours. We do not have access to that information.
  2. Common Application (https://www.commonapp.org/): Many colleges use this application now. Please enter school counselor and recommender information early on to give these individuals ample time to complete their part. Ask permission of recommenders first and make sure to provide a resume of activities & accomplishments either by email or in person for them to use. 
  3. Verify NC Residency (Residency Determination): Document you’re a NC resident to determine your eligibility for in-state tuition and state grants.
  4. Deadlines for college applications can be found on individual school’s website or Common App once you create an account. UNC Chapel Hill is one of the first ones with an Oct. 15th deadline and ASU & NC STATE next with Nov. 1st.
  5. Applying in the fall will enable you to know where you’ve been accepted well in advance of timing for making a final decision. Also, colleges usually use fall application deadlines for making decisions on their college based scholarships.
  6. Community Colleges do not have application deadlines, but there is no need to wait to apply if you know you want to go to a community college. You can apply through individual websites or through www.cfnc.org for schools in NC.
  7. Transcripts can be requested several ways –
    1. If applying to NC colleges or universities, transcripts can be sent directly through the CFNC site - https://www.cfnc.org/apply-to-college/ 
    2. For schools outside of North Carolina and scholarships, stop by your counselor’s office or send them an email. 
    3. If you apply to your college through commonapp, sendedu, or CFNC, your final transcripts will be submitted through that platform once they are finalized.
  8. Please know that recommenders and school counselor(s) need at least a couple of weeks to complete their portion of your application. Also, in most cases their deadline is a bit extended from the student’s.
  9. College Entrance Testing Information
    1. ACT - https://www.act.org/ 
    2. SAT - https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
    3. Practice sites:
      1. Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/
      2. CFNC: https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/
      3. ACT and SAT websites

Financial Aid
You are HIGHLY encouraged to begin filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as October 1st.  This form is required for financial aid for all colleges & universities. Often colleges begin scholarships analysis, whether merit or need-based scholarships and grants, with the family filing the FAFSA. The application and processing of the application is FREE at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Check your college’s deadline for receiving the FAFSA. The earlier you file, the more money that will potentially be available to you if you qualify. 

The CSS/Financial Aid Profile is an additional application for some scholarship programs and specific colleges in North Carolina and other states who desire family financial information to award institutional aid. This program is administered through College Board at https://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile. You should file the PROFILE no later than two weeks before the EARLIEST priority filing date specified by your colleges or scholarship programs. Some of the in-state colleges which require this are Davidson, Duke, Elon, UNC-CH, and Wake Forest. Make certain you check the website of the college of your interest to see if the Profile is required!

Reminder: As you receive scholarships, grants, merit scholarships, military appointments, and other money for your post-secondary experience, please let Mrs. Filosa know so she can keep track of your successes and consolidate reporting for Pinecrest High School! Go Patriots!
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