This page contains all of the resources you should need to successfully apply to college! 

College Application Packet

The College Application Packet is a step-by-step guide to completing materials of the college admissions process!  It answers all your questions about the following topics: 
  1. Creating a CFNC account
  2. Completing the Residency Determination Service
  3. Applying to colleges 
    1. Using CFNC
    2. Using Common App
  4. Completing the FAFSA
  5. Asking for recommendations
The College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is your one-stop-shop for all things college!  Make an account to learn how to plan for college, pay for college, and apply to college! 
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CFNC accounts are also used to send your transcripts to colleges!  So it is super important that you create one! 
The Residency Determination Service (RDS) is an online interview that determines whether or not a student can receive in-state benefits for four-year university college tuition OR entrance to a NC community college.  This must be completed prior to applying to college.
The following documents are needed in order to complete the RDS: 
  • Student's name
  • Student's birthdate
  • Student's Social Security Number
  • Parent/guardian's name
  • Parent/guardian's birthdate
  • Parent/guardian's Social Security Number
    • If no SSN, let counselor know.
  • Parent/guardian's Driver's License Number
    • If no DL, let counselor know.
  • Parent/guardian's 2021 NC tax information
    • File NC taxes? 
    • File electronically/mailed? 
    • File as a full-time or part-time resident? 
    • Claim student as a dependent? 
  • Parent/guardian's vehicle registration information
Resources to complete the RDS: 
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free online form that must be filled out in order to receive financial aid for college.  The FAFSA assesses student financial need, and shares that information with the respective college(s) the student chooses.  This helps institutions provide financial aid in the form of grants (free money), scholarships (free money), work-studies (on-campus jobs), or loans (borrowed money).

Creating an FSA ID

Completing the FAFSA Form
In order to complete the FAFSA, both the student AND a parent/guardian have to create an FSA ID.  This is essentially just a username for the FAFSA.  FSA IDs typically take 3-5 business days to process, so allow yourself time to create this before completing the FAFSA. 
  • Documents needed to create an FSA ID: 
    • Student's name
    • Student's Social Security Number
    • Student's contact information (phone number, email address)
    • Parent/guardian's name
    • Parent/guardian's Social Security Number
    • Parent/guardian's contact information (phone number, email address) 
  • FSA ID instructions
The actual FAFSA form takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete.  The following documentation is needed: 
  • Parent/guardian's 2023 taxes
    • If parents are married: Both parents will need to enter their SSN and tax information
    • If parents are divorced/separated/not married: Only one parent needs to enter their SSN and tax information
    • If parent is remarried: Only one parent needs to enter their information, but you will also need to enter your stepparent's information.
    • Who counts as a parent on FAFSA? 
  • Your 2023 taxes
    • If you had a job during 2022, you also have tax information.  Your tax information is also assessed by the FAFSA.

AGHS Scholarships Spreadsheet

Recommendations 

Most college applications ask for recommendations.  These recommendations should come from counselors, teachers, mentors, or other trusted adults (that are not family members).  Recommendations have the power to make or break an application, so be sure you are asking someone who knows you very well!  Here are tips for asking for recommendations: 
  • Ask your recommender before listing them as a recommender. 
  • Give your recommender at least two weeks before the application is due.
  • Provide your recommender an AGHS Brag Sheet or Resume - this will help them write an outstanding recommendation on behalf of you! 
  • Your counselor must write a recommendation for you...ask them the same way you would ask another individual.  

Brag Sheet

Resume