Students can save on college application costs by applying during College Application Week from Oct. 15-19.

During this week, many North Carolina colleges and universities waive application fees. College Application Week is a part of College Foundation of North Carolina’s (CFNC) annual college-access event, NC Countdown to College.

As part of College Application Week, hundreds of qualified volunteers, counselors, and admission professionals will be at high schools across the state to help students apply to college.

Participating North Carolina colleges will waive fees completely. Students applying to nonparticipating colleges may qualify for assistance through the College Board or ACT fee waivers.

“The college application process can be confusing and costly,” says Laura Morgan, vice president of communications, savings and legal affairs at College Foundation, Inc. “Each college or university application typically comes with a fee, and those fees can add up quickly. College Application Week is an opportunity for students to get the help they need while saving money.”

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Residency Determination Service (RDS) are also important steps of applying to college and integral pieces of NC Countdown to College.

The FAFSA is the first step toward paying for college because it checks a student’s eligibility for state and federal financial aid.

RDS determines a student’s eligibility for in-state tuition and state grants.

During October, students can get extra support with financial aid and residency through school-based events as well as on local campuses at FAFSA Day.

Students who are interested in participating in College Application Week and NC Countdown to College should first make a profile with CFNC. CFNC assists students and families as they plan, apply, and pay for college.

For additional information and resources, visit CFNC.org.

About CFNC

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the state of North Carolina provided by a collaboration of Pathways (the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the N.C. Community College System, the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities and The University of North Carolina System), the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc.

CFNC promotes access to North Carolina higher education and assists students with education planning, career planning, and applying and paying for college.

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