Career & College

  • PSAT

    The PSAT/NMSQT is highly relevant to your future success because they focus on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. They’ll measure:

    • What you learn in high school
    • What you need to succeed in college

    If you think the key to a high score is memorizing words and facts you’ll never use in the real world, think again. You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before.
    The best way to prepare for the test is to:

    • Take challenging courses
    • Do your homework
    • Prepare for tests and quizzes
    • Ask and answer lots of questions

    In short, take charge of your education and learn as much as you can.

    See What It's Like..
    Find out what kinds of questions you’ll see on the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10. Where do you want to start?

    Visit the Collegeboard website for more information

     

    SAT

    The SAT is used by colleges to determine your readiness for success at their school.  This exam has three parts, Mathematics, Writing & Language, and Reading, with a maximum of 1600.  Tests are typically administered on a Saturday morning, and are NOT administered at every high school.  You can take the exam as many times as you wish, and most schools will accept your highest individual score in each area, even if they are on different test dates.  If you wish to attend a 4-year college or university that uses the SAT for admission, it is a good idea to take it at least twice. Community colleges and two year schools do not typically use the SAT for admissions, but will use them for placement if you have taken them.  Test scores must be sent directly to the requesting college or university from College Board.

    Find out what kinds of questions you’ll see on the new SAT and what the test will measure. Where do you want to start?

    Visit the Collegeboard website for more information

    SAT Fee Waivers

    SAT fee waivers are not sent directly to students. School counselors identify eligible students at their school and distribute fee waivers to them.

    Fee Waiver Basics: Get details about who is eligible, what fee waivers cover, and more.

    Brochures

     

    PRE-ACT

    The PreACT is an exam administered in October for 10th grade students.  The test is used to help prepare students for the ACT test. 

    Key benefits of the PreACT

    • Early practice for the ACT test with flexible test administration dates – test on your schedule
    • PreACT score and predicted ACT score ranges align to the ACT 1–36 scale
    • Students may opt to share their information with colleges and scholarship agencies
    • ACT Interest Inventory results provide students with a personalized view of interests with college and career alignment
    • Valuable results provide actionable insights to help educators, parents and students make important decisions for the future
    • Rapid reporting turnaround within 5-10 days of receipt of answer documents allows for early and effective planning to ensure students can attain the future and career success they envision

    Click here to read additional information about the PreACT test 

     

    ACT

    The ACT is an exam is used by colleges to determine your readiness for success at their school.  The ACT contains four subtests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science.  The test scores range from 1 to 36, with a final composite score ranging from 1 to 36.

    All North Carolina Juniors are required to take the ACT at their high school in February of the junior year.  This test is FREE and counts for college admissions!  Students can sign up for additional ACT testing at www.actstudent.org.  Tests are typically administered on a Saturday morning, and are NOT administered at every high school.  You can take the exam as many times as you wish, and most schools will accept your highest individual score in each area, even if they are on different test dates.

    Compare the SAT/ACT

    ACT Fee Waivers

    If you are testing on a national test date and can't afford the registration fee for the ACT or ACT with writing, you may be eligible for an ACT Fee Waiver. Information about the eligibility requirements and how to request a fee waiver is sent each summer to high schools. You should work with your local high school to determine your eligibility.

    You must meet all of the following requirements:

    • Currently enrolled in high school in the 11th or 12th grade.
    • Either a United States citizen or testing in the US, US territories, or Puerto Rico.
    • Meet one or more indicators of economic need listed on the ACT Fee Waiver form.

    ACT Fee Waiver              

    FREE TEST PREP!
    KAPLAN:     Practice for SAT, PSAT, and ACT! 
    KHAN ACADEMY: Practice for SAT HERE 
    ACT website: Practice for the Pre-ACT & ACT HERE 
    COLLEGEBOARD website: Practice for the PSAT & SAT HERE: 

     

    CFNC

    College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina provided by a collaboration of Pathways (the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the N.C. Community College System, the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities and The University of North Carolina System), the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc. CFNC promotes access to North Carolina higher education and assists students with education planning, career planning, and applying and paying for college.

    CFNC allows students to...
        - create 4-year graduation plans
        - search North Carolina colleges by major, size, admission requirements, and cost
        - take Interest Inventories to identify career interests and what colleges offer specific programs
        - understand grants, loans, budgeting, savings plans, and scholarships
        - send transcripts to in-state colleges and universities
        - learn about careers, resume writing, interview skills, salary information, and employment.

     

    College Application Month

    Background & Overview

    College Application Week began as a pilot program in the state of North Carolina in 2005 with just one high school under the federally-funded GEAR UP NC grant. Computers were wheeled around the school on carts as a handful of students used the CFNC.org online application to apply to college.

    The event grew in 2006 to serve students in 15 GEAR UP high schools and continued to function in the pilot stage. As other high schools outside the GEAR UP program learned about the pilot, they asked if they could also participate.  College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) and the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CACRAO) joined forces to aid in the expansion and support.  The number of participating high schools grew to over 100 in 2007 with thousands of students submitting online applications across the state. In 2008, College Application Week became a statewide event with 293 high schools participating.  During this period, North Carolina’s annual event became a pattern for dozens of other states to create their own annual week-long and month-long programs.

    Event activities are supported by research which indicates that students can better navigate the path to college when high schools can 1) “engage and assist students in completing critical steps for college entry”, and 2) “increase families’ financial awareness, and help students apply for financial aid” (Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do; NCEE 2009-4066, US Department of Education).

    Due to the success of past College Application Weeks and to changes in residency requirements and the FAFSA, NC educational partners are expanding the annual event in 2017 to encompass an entire month. Now the event will help support high school seniors in completing three important college enrollment steps: residency, FAFSA, and applications. There is one week (November 13-17) during the month when some colleges will be adjusting application fees by either accepting fee waivers from eligible students or waiving application fees

    CFNC College Application Month

    Scholarships and Financial Aid

    SCHOLARSHIPS

    Please refer to the counselors EDMODO page to view current scholarships, deadlines, application information, and more!  PLEASE CAREFULLY READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS AS THE PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH SCHOLARSHIP ARE VERY DIFFERENT.  

    HELPFUL SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITES

     

    FAFSA

    THE FAFSA OPENS ON OCTOBER 1, 2017 FOR ENTRY INTO COLLEGE IN AUGUST 2018.  PLEASE USE YOUR 2016 TAXES.

    To learn more about Governor’s School, please visit  NC Governors School

Scholarships