RALEIGH – With the start of the new year, high school seniors planning to attend college in the fall should begin the process of filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.

The earlier the FAFSA is completed, the sooner the student and family will have information about the possibility of  financial aid. To be considered for a share of the billions of dollars available in federal and state aid to students with financial need, you must apply.

When students complete the FAFSA, they’re automatically being considered for federal and state grants, Federal Work Study and Federal Student Loans. Federal and state grants are gift aid — free money the student does not have to pay back.  If eligible for Federal Work Study, a student has the chance to get a job on-campus to help pay expenses. And the FAFSA helps determine whether a student may be eligible for subsidized as well as unsubsidized Federal Student Loans.

Families who would like help completing the FAFSA are invited to attend  a FAFSA Day near them on  Saturday, Feb. 20. This free event is open to assist high school seniors, their families and college students complete and submit their forms online.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Go to CFNC.org/FAFSAday or call 866-866-CFNC toll-free for a list of event sites and register for the one nearest you. More than 65 sites will be available the morning of Feb. 20.

During the week following FAFSA Day (Feb. 22-26), State Employees’ Credit Union branches will be ready by appointment to help students and families with FAFSA completion. Families also can get help with the FAFSA on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro.

To be fully prepared to complete the FAFSA at one of these February FAFSA events, participants should either file their 2015 federal taxes in advance or bring the following: both the student’s and parents’ federal 1040 tax forms for 2015 (or W-2 forms and other income and asset documents if completed tax forms are not available); the student’s and one parent’s Federal Student Aid identification obtained in advance from the U.S. Department of Education website, fsaid.ed.gov ; and a FAFSA on the web worksheet with as much information entered as possible. The online worksheet is available at www.fafsa.gov.

“Early completion of the FAFSA helps students take advantage of all of the financial aid opportunities available for North Carolinians,” said Marcia Weston with the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority and CFNC coordinator of the FAFSA Day program. “Students and parents don’t need to worry if they aren’t sure how to answer all of the questions on the form. That’s why we have arranged to have experienced college aid professionals and financial specialists to help at each site.”

“Filing 2015 federal taxes early makes FAFSA completion easier. Most of those who file well in advance of FAFSA Day can then take advantage of the automatic transfer option to enter their tax information directly onto their FAFSA,” she said. “If a student or parent hasn’t yet filed taxes, they can enter estimated income information on the FAFSA, and updated tax information can be transferred to the FAFSA at a later date. “

FAFSA Day is sponsored by a collaboration of College Foundation of North Carolina, the North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and State Employees’ Credit Union.

A February FAFSA Phone-In, also sponsored by CFNC, is another option for students and parents who have only a few questions on completing the FAFSA. Every Tuesday night in February between 5 and 8 p.m., financial aid specialists will be available to help at the toll-free number, 866-866-CFNC (2362).

More information is available on college and career planning on the College Foundation of North Carolina website, CFNC.org. Families will find college cost estimators, lists of scholarship, grant and loan opportunities, information about North Carolina’s 529 college savings plan, career descriptions and requirements, virtual tours of more than 100 of the state’s college campuses, and online college admission and financial aid applications.

About CFNC

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina that helps students plan, apply, and pay for college. CFNC is a joint effort of Pathways, the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc.

• Pathways , created by the N.C. General Assembly in 1999, is a statewide initiative to increase the college-going rate of North Carolinians by providing: comprehensive college and career planning resources; electronic applications and transcripts accepted by all 110 North Carolina colleges and universities; and, information on student financial aid and college affordability. Pathways is administered by The University of North Carolina General Administration in collaboration with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the N.C. Community College System, and the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities.

• The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), established in 1965, is the State agency that promotes access to higher education by administering financial aid and savings programs, informing students and families about paying for college, teaching educators about financial aid administration, and advocating for resources to support students.

• College Foundation, Inc. (CFI) , a nonprofit corporation serving North Carolina students and families since 1955, administers a large portfolio of education loans, several major grant and scholarship programs for students attending N.C. colleges and universities, and the tax-advantaged  “529” college savings program on behalf of the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority. CFI also delivers information to North Carolina students and families about paying for college, assists colleges and universities with financial aid services, and provides technology support for CFNC.org.

• State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for 77 years. With more than 1.9 million members, SECU provides services through more than 250 branch offices, 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org.

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