Week 2 - FAFSA & RDS


Things to Accomplish This Week:

  1. Decide which schools you will apply to during College Application Week (10/17-10/21). Many NC colleges and universities waive their fees during these weeks. See who.
  2. Speak with counselors concerning fee waiver forms if applicable (ACT, College Board Fee Waiver) to use for schools that are not waiving fees during College Application Weeks.
  3. Some applications require an essay or personal statement. Review application requirements for the schools you plan to apply to and prepare these in advance.
  4. File your Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) after October 1st in order to begin the financial aid process for college. This one form allows you to apply for federal and state grants (free money for college), federal work-study, and federal student loans. Many colleges also require the FAFSA as part of the application process for institutional scholarships. Review necessary documentation before getting started.
  5. Complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS). This is important for both in-state tuition and financial aid, as the RDS application allows students to apply for in-state Residency, as well as North Carolina state grants. Review necessary documentation before getting started.


Live Virtual Events:

FAFSA & RDS

Wondering how to pay for college? FAFSA and North Carolina Residency (RDS) are essential to your financial aid solution, and these two steps have a lot in common! The week’s sessions offer help to students and families in preparation for completing the FAFSA and RDS. Come find out how to get started, how to navigate obstacles, and what financial aid next steps to
expect afterward.

  • To be announced

How-To Videos:

How-to Create a CFNC Account: 

This brief how-to video walks you through the steps of creating your free CFNC.org account and shows you how to recover or change your account information in the future.


How-to Complete RDS:

This brief how-to video explains how to access the North Carolina RDS tool and get started on your residency determination.

How-to Complete a CFNC College Application: 

This brief how-to video shows you how to use the CFNC.org Application Hub to apply to NC colleges and universities, send your official electronic high school transcript, and track the progress of other admissions tasks.

Helpful Resources To Check Out This Week:

Helpful Spanish Resources: