Senior Year To-Do List
Preparing for College? Here are the Steps:
1. Determine which schools you should apply to!
- Consider minimum GPA and test score (SAT/ACT) requirements.
- Consider cost.
- Consider location.
- Consider school activities, such as sports and Greek Life.
- Consider demographic makeup and school culture.
2. Complete Residency Determination Service (RDS)
- RDS is required to apply to any public North Carolina college. RDS is the system which proves you live in North Carolina and should recieve in-state tuition.
- You must complete RDS with your parent or legal guardian - you WILL NOT be able to complete without parent/guardian ID numbers.
3. Apply to college!
- CFNC is the easiest way to apply to North Carolina colleges
- Some colleges, however, will redirect you to another site such as Common App
- Ms. Bingham has fee waivers to cover the cost of application fees!
- No matter where or how you apply though, you will have to send transcripts through CFNC
4. Complete the FAFSA
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is how you apply for federal and state grants
- All eligible students should complete the FAFSA even if you don't think you will receive funds
- In order to be eligible for FAFSA, you must be a US citizen and your parents must have filed 2019 federal taxes
Student and Parent must make an FSA ID
Once both have an FSA ID, begin the FAFSA
5. Apply for scholarships!
- While FAFSA may grant you federal and state grants, you should also apply for additional scholarships.
- Local scholarships are best since you are competing against local students.
- Duplin County scholarships will be released Spring Semester.