School officials encourage Robeson County seniors to complete FAFSA paperwork
LUMBERTON, N.C. (WBTW) — Robeson County school officials are encouraging the district’s graduating seniors to fill out their FAFSA applications by the June 30 deadline.
“Completing this application is the first step towards unlocking free funding and scholarships to assist students in their college journeys,” said Jessica Sealey, a spokesperson for the Public Schools of Robeson County.
As of early April, Sealey said only about 20% of the district’s 1,251 seniors set to graduate this spring had started filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms. That’s according to the according to the FAFSA Tracker by the College Foundation of North Carolina.
“The state completion rate is low and our district mirrors it,” Sealey said. “With the skyrocketing costs of everything, scholarship monies are more valuable than ever.”
While the deadline to complete FAFSA applications is June 30, Sealey said students should check with colleges they are interested in applying to attend to see if there are any additional deadlines.
FAFSA is the first stop for all college financial aid, Sealey said. In North Carolina, students can also apply for the Next NC Scholarship. There are also several other scholarships available for students across the nation.
With the Next NC Scholarship, Sealey said most students from households with incomes of $80,000 or less will qualify for at least $3,000 a year to pay for tuition and fees at a state community college. Students planning to attend a University of North Carolina institution can get $5,000 a year, which covers more than half, and possibly all, of the tuition and fees.
In addition, there is a state need-based scholarship available to students who are going to a private college in North Carolina, according to Jessica Swencki, deputy director of myFutureNC.
Sealey said the FAFSA applications are simple and require only a few documents and some planning. She said students can get help from their school counseling department or the institution they plan to attend.
The Public Schools of Robeson County also plans to host a final workshop at the end of May to help families that might still need assistance.
“We encourage our students to embrace the opportunities provided by scholarships and grants by completing the FAFSA,” Superintendent Freddie Williamson said. “By doing so, students can unlock a world of new possibilities and opportunities as they pursue their dream career by attending college.”
Students should visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to complete their FAFSA forms.
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Dennis Bright is a Digital Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.
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