Governor Perdue Declares November 16-20 College Application Week; Students Across the State Set to Apply to College

RALEIGH. N.C., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Bev Perdue has declared November 16-20, 2009, College Application Week in North Carolina. With assistance from College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) and the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, more than 380 high schools across the state will hold programs to help their high school seniors apply to North Carolina colleges and universities using CFNC.org. Special focus is being placed on students who may be the first in their family to attend college and students who may not otherwise apply to college.

During College Application Week, students can apply to any of the more than 110 North Carolina colleges and universities on CFNC.org and receive assistance from on-site counselors. Thirty (30) of the 36 private post-secondary institutions in North Carolina have agreed to waive their normal application fees for North Carolina students who submit applications this week. In addition, all 16 public University of North Carolina campuses and the remaining six private institutions are waiving normal application fees for students with demonstrated financial need. Eligible students may obtain a College Board fee waiver from their high school counselor. Students who are eligible for SAT fee waivers are usually eligible for application fee waivers, as well. North Carolina's 58 community colleges do not charge application fees.

"This is a golden opportunity for the high school senior who needs that final nudge of encouragement to apply and find out that college really is possible," said Steve Brooks, executive director of the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority. "College Application Week also provides an opportunity for them to learn that CFNC provides a one-stop shop to find out about North Carolina colleges and universities and to learn how to pay for college. Details about state grants and how to apply for aid are also available on the site."

"If North Carolina is to compete and win in a knowledge-based global economy, we have to get more of our citizens better educated," added UNC President Erskine Bowles. "That means we have to provide the encouragement, financial resources, and other kinds of support our young people need to go to college and succeed academically. We hope all students, whether they are in middle school or high school, are planning for college because there is a college or university in North Carolina to fit the need of every high school graduate."

"The direction of North Carolina's future is determined by the education of our children," said Gov. Perdue. "That's why it's imperative that we focus on encouraging and assisting students in their college application process - so that they're one step closer to getting a degree and obtaining the skills they need to succeed anywhere in the world."

College Application Week began in 2006 as a pilot program at 15 high schools. In 2008, it expanded to 293 high schools, with more than 19,000 students submitting 38,000 online college applications. Now that the program has expanded statewide, as many as 30,000 students could apply to college online this week.

According to the N.C. Commission on Workforce Development, by 2014 North Carolina will need more than 400,000 new workers with at least a bachelor's degree to be competitive in the global economy.

For more information about planning , applying or paying for college, visit www.CFNC.org or call toll-free 1-866-866-CFNC. Additional information on the College Application Week event can be found at CFNC.org/CAW. School counselors and staff can register their high school for College Application Week at CFNC.org by selecting "Register for CFNC Events."

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 partnership 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 state-wide 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 portfolio of more than $4 billion, including low-interest federal education loans, the State's college grant programs, and the tax-free "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 and provides technology services for CFNC.org.
  

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