Thursday, February 12, 2009

In these difficult economic times, University of North Carolina Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College are teaming up to help high school students plan funding for their college experience in advance.

Because applying for college can be as painful as preparing taxes, two upcoming events at UNC Wilmington will offer valuable insight into the financial aid process and access to one-on-one consultations with financial aid counselors free of charge to families.

FASFA Day
High school seniors expecting to attend a United States college in the fall of 2009 and their families can gain personal assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications on the first floor of UNCW Bear Hall Saturday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon.

One of 65 sponsored FASFA Day events sponsored by the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) across the state, the UNCW event will be staffed by more than 25 professionals.

The FAFSA must be filed to apply for federal financial aid, scholarships and other scholarships and grants used to fund college. Students may register for FAFSA Day by calling 866.866.CFNC, or by signing up at www.CFNC.org/fafsaday. It is not necessary that the student plan to attend the college hosting the event.

Participants should bring the student's and parents' federal 1040 tax forms for 2008. Though not required, it is helpful for each student and a parent to obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) from the Department of Education Web site, http://www.pin.ed.gov/ prior to FAFSA Day.

Managing the College Maze
College Maze, a set of workshops designed to educate students in grades eight through 12 and their families about the financial aid process, will be held in the first floor of UNCW Bear Hall Saturday, Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Workshops will include information about applying for student loans, federal grants and work study, along with information about N.C. state grants. Instructors will address the pros and cons of attending a four-year institution or a community college, the financial impact of living at home as opposed to living in another off-campus location or in on-campus housing and seeking scholarships.

A CFNC representative will be available to assist students with setting up a CFNC account in preparation for the college application process. Participants will also learn about the FAFSA and the role it plays in obtaining federal student and parent loans and grants. Numerous financial aid administrative professionals will be on hand to instruct families and assist with personal questions or concerns.

General questions about these programs may be directed to Judy Carter, UNCW financial aid counselor, 910.962.3177 or carterj@uncw.edu.

Media are invited to publicize this event to the public, and to attend both help days and interview participants upon request

Media contact:
Joy Davis, UNCW Marketing and Communications, 910.916.8603 or davisjc@uncw.edu