Professional Development Opportunities
Upcoming Webinars | In-Person Regional Trainings | Recorded Trainings
2025-2026 Upcoming Webinar Training
Join us for our virtual professional development trainings where all education professionals — school counselors, teachers, administrators, college admissions professionals, financial aid advisors, and others — are welcome. Topics include all aspects of the college going process. Continuing Education Units (CEU) are available; certificates will be sent out to each attendee after the scheduled webinar for a recommended 0.1 CEU. Ten webinars equal 1.0 CEU.
Teamwork makes the dream work! Throughout this presentation we will encourage educators to think strategically about cross-sector partnerships. We’ll explore asset mapping techniques and proven collaborations with businesses, faith-based organizations, and related community resource hubs. Let’s think outside the box and embrace new opportunities that can help our students succeed.
In-state tuition could mean the difference for some students in whether or not they can afford college. In order to qualify for in-state tuition and state grants/scholarships, students need to complete their residency determination. This webinar will help you understand the NC Residency Determination Service (RDS) so you can help your students and families.
Free College Application Week (CAW) is just around the corner! Thousands of students across the state will begin submitting college applications through CFNC.org, and we are here to help you. We will go over how students can submit applications, request transcripts, write essays, and request letters of recommendation in an effective way, during CAW and beyond.
This webinar will provide an overview of the NC FAFSA Tracker and the Finish the FAFSA Report for counselors and advisors who are new to using the tools or who want a refresher. During this session, we will discuss important information regarding both tools, the data that feeds them, and best practice tips, all while answering your questions.
The 2026-2027 FAFSA will be live on October 1st. This webinar is designed to familiarize you with the new FAFSA. We’ll walk you through the screens your dependent students are likely to see so you can anticipate where your students might need more support. Lauren Trethaway from the financial aid office at Wake Forest University will help you prepare for the FAFSA season ahead. We’ll also have folks answering questions through the Q&A on Zoom, so bring your questions!
We understand the financial aid process can be intimidating and confusing for students, families, and counselors. We invite all counselors to join us to learn about the different types of financial aid available, how to help students fill out the FAFSA, and how to use best practices when working with students and families.
Paying for college is already stressful, but what if students don’t qualify for federal or state aid through the FAFSA? There are still ways for them to find the funding outside of just taking out loans, and this webinar will prepare you to help them with their search.
Military families are eligible for various benefits and scholarships depending on their unique circumstances, but where can they turn for more information? While we don’t expect school counselors to be experts in military benefits, you can still play a key role in directing families to the right resources. This webinar will introduce you to essential military terminology and help you better understand the available benefits, enabling you to guide military-connected students and their families more effectively.
This live session is designed specifically for educators to guide high school juniors and their parents through intentional post-high school planning, including workforce, college (2- & 4-year), and military options. This webinar empowers school teams to confidently present the structure, benefits, and implementation of the Next Step program so educators can leave informed and equipped to plan with students and parents.
In-Person Regional Trainings
These free, in-person trainings are designed for high school counselors, college access professionals, educators, and youth-serving community organizations who support students on their college and career journey.
Join us at one of eight locations across the state this fall to receive updates on state and federal financial aid, learn best practices from local experts, and receive ProTools updates to help you and your students navigate the application process. This is also the opportunity to get your C2C materials and swag that you can use throughout the school year. A Continuing Education certificate for a recommended 0.6 CEU will be given to every counselor in attendance for their respective region.
Location: James Sprunt Community College
Location: Forsyth Technical Community College
Location: Pitt Community College
Location: UNC Charlotte
Location: Wake Technical Community College
Location: Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Location: Catawba Valley Community College
Location: Sandhills Community College
Recorded Trainings
Missed out on a webinar? This section will include every recorded webinar once they have concluded. Please share these with any colleagues who have also missed out on any webinars.
College research can be overwhelming for students and families. School counselors are great resources to help students narrow down the field and home in on the schools they want to apply to. This webinar will focus on how you can help students find the institutions that fit their desires and needs