College Resources & News from CFNC
Spring is when financial aid award letters begin flooding the mailboxes of college-bound high school seniors across North Carolina. Interpreting award letters can be confusing as students compare offers from various schools.
Families can now save for college and retirement at the same time with the NC 529 Plan, North Carolina’s National Education Savings Program. Starting in 2024, excess NC 529 funds can be rolled over tax-free into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary, thanks to a provision in the SECURE 2.0 Act.
There are some circumstances in which a student may need to withdraw a college application before the school makes a decision. You may have changed your mind about applying to a college or university, or you may have accepted a different offer. That’s all okay! However, once you make your decision, you should let the schools know your plans.
When you save for your child’s college education, you make more than a financial investment — you invest in their future success and well-being. Recent studies show that college graduates earn an average of $1 million more than high school graduates over a lifetime and that higher income is a strong predictor for better health and overall life satisfaction.
It’s never too early to start thinking about a child’s education — whether that’s college, middle school, or trade school. You know this, so you’re interested in opening an NC 529 Account, but if you’re unclear on the “rules of the road,” so to speak, we’ve got you covered.
In a country that increasingly values postsecondary education and training, students and parents often aren’t sure where to start when it comes to paying for higher education. But you’re not alone! There are many resources to help students pay for college.
Getting a private or alternative student loan like NC Assist can be a smart way to pay for college or graduate school when other financial aid and savings are not enough to cover the cost of your degree. A responsible co-signer can help you qualify for the right student loan so you can focus on earning your diploma!
“Where are you going to college?” It’s a common question that teens ask each other as college application or high school graduation seasons roll around. While many high school students are thinking about going away to four-year schools, there’s no one path to pursuing higher education and a career you’ll enjoy.
“Early decision” and “early action” college applications allow students to do exactly what the names of the applications suggest. Students submit the early applications before “regular decision” applicants and learn whether they are accepted well before the pool of regular decision applicants.
During Financial Aid Awareness Month, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), in partnership with College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), is hosting the How to Pay for College webinar series as part of Financial Aid Awareness Month.