GUILFORD COUNTY -- It's the time of year college-bound students need to fill out their free application for federal student aid. Some school districts like Guilford County offer help to seniors and their families. It's offering assistance all month with FAFSA forms, which GCS students have to file to qualify for "Say Yes to Education" Last Dollar Tuition Scholarships.
College advisors say this time of year can be overwhelming for students.
"You have your college applications, college essays," said Kiyah McDermid, James B. Dudley High School College advisor. "You have your FAFSAs, your scholarships, your SAT/ACTs."
All this month, college advisors and volunteers are helping students and families fill out their FAFSA and learn about the College Foundation of North Carolina. And in Guilford County, they are helping students learn the details of "Say Yes to Education" aid.
"It's your free application for federal student aid. Students cannot be eligible for Say Yes scholarships unless they've filled out their FAFSA," said Kinsley Fraser, Say Yes to Education Scholarship coordinator. "We're here to alleviate the chaos and let them know we're here to help."
McDermid and Fraser say students and parents each need to sign up for an FSA ID, which has replaced the Federal Student ID pin.
If parents have already filed taxes, students may have an easier time filling out the FAFSA.
"If the parents have filed taxes already and it's been about three weeks, you can utilize the IRS data retrieval tool, which makes FAFSA a very simple process. If not, we have to go through and do that information manually, which can range 15 to 30 minutes," said McDermid.
Casey Balser, Penn-Griffin School for the Arts senior, added, "It took like half an hour probably. You have to put in all your information, financial stuff, parents' information, how much they make."
Senior Casey Balser and her mom stopped by one of the sessions Saturday. Balser hopes to attend UNCG for a math-related major and says having the extra help with the FAFSA took a lot of stress out of the equation.
"It's just a lot easier," said Balser.
Students and parents who want help figuring out the FAFSA can find assistance on the College Fund of North Carolina website.