RALEIGH – To help high school counselors and college access professionals prepare to assist students and parents in navigating the admissions and financial aid process, College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is offering six free training sessions across the state in October.

Finding financial aid for college is often a key part of a student’s decision to continue his or her education. As school counselors help encourage students to apply for college, they also play a vital role in helping students and parents understand the financial aid process and availability of state and federal assistance. CFNC training will demonstrate the new CFNC.org admissions application hub, which includes delivery of N.C. high school transcripts, and also go over recent changes related to filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

By completing and submitting a FAFSA, a student’s eligibility for federal and state financial assistance for college will be determined. North Carolina offers need-based grants for residents who plan to attend college in North Carolina, whether a four-year public or private, or a two-year private or community college. There are also scholarship opportunities for North Carolina students beginning their college experience as freshmen or those currently enrolled in college such as the Golden Leaf Scholars Program, Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarships, and others.

“School counselors have a tremendous task of making sure that high school seniors are aware of all these opportunities,” said Marcia Weston, associate director for outreach at the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority. “CFNC wants to make sure counselors have all the information and resources needed to encourage high school seniors to apply for admission and find any financial help they may need.”

Training is available at the six sites listed below. School counselors and college access professionals who provide free services to students and their families on the college admissions and financial aid process are invited to attend whichever training most convenient for them. Training is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates at these locations:

Oct. 5: University of North Carolina at Asheville
Oct. 6: Meredith College
Oct. 10: Queens University of Charlotte
Oct. 11: East Carolina University
Oct. 11: Guilford Technical Community College
Oct. 14: Cape Fear Community College

More college and career planning information is available 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 applications.