Stanly Community College is partnering with GloryBeans CoffeeHouse to host the second annual “Coffee with a College Counselor” 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at 134 W. Main St. in downtown Albemarle.

This event is focused on helping students and parents work through the college application process. SCC representatives will be ready to work 1-on-1 to provide help for those applying to any North Carolina institution, including SCC. Free coffee and pastries will be offered as students and parents receive assistance with any of their college application-related questions.

This includes Residency Determination Service (RDS), which allows students to apply for in-state residency and state grants.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) allows students to apply for federal and state grants (free money for college), federal work-study, and federal student loans.

In addition, the FAFSA is often required as part of many scholarship applications. Due to recent changes to simplify this program, the current FAFSA application is only good through June 30, 2024. Students applying for fall semester 2024 will use the new, consolidated FAFSA application which will open in December of this year.

Though SCC staff will not be able to complete the FAFSA application with you at this event, they can still help prepare for what is to come.

“Coffee with a College Counselor” is free to all Stanly County residents and takes place just before College Application Week (Oct. 16-20) when many colleges and universities across North Carolina waive their application fees.

For those seeking assistance with FAFSA or the RDS, please have the following items and information available:

• Student and legal guardian’s personal ID Information (SSN, ARN, USCIS or TIN);

• Student and legal guardian’s 2022 filed federal taxes (2022 filed state taxes needed for RDS only);

• Permanent address;

• Driver’s license;• Military information (if applicable);

• Immigration documentation (if applicable);

For questions about “Coffee with a College Counselor,” contact Christian Payne at 704-991-0124 or cpayne6806@stanly.edu.