You are receiving this email as a Crosby Scholar (current grade ) or as a parent/guardian whose student is enrolled in the Crosby Scholars Program. If this information is incorrect, please contact our office!

Upcoming Events

Senior Academy Webinar | How to Complete the FAFSA



Join us virtually on Tuesday, October 7th at 6:00pm for a live, step-by-step demonstration on how to complete the 2026-27 FAFSA!

Seniors | You can receive Academy Credit for attending, but you must register in CrosbyConnect and attend the entire session.

Parents + Guardians | We strongly encourage you to attend this session, even if your Crosby Scholar cannot! However, a parent/guardian may not earn Academy Credit for their Crosby Scholar.

Senior Academy | In-Person FAFSA Labs

Tuesday, October 14th

9:00 - 11:00 am | 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Goodwill Building | 2701 University Parkway

Need help completing the FAFSA? Join our financial aid team in-person to receive FAFSA assistance in a small group setting.

Seniors | You can receive Academy Credit for attending, but you must register in CrosbyConnect.

Parent participation is critical, and students who attend with at least one parent are typically more successful in completing their FAFSA during the lab. If possible, your parent(s) should plan to attend.

Note: If a student is in a Legal Guardianship granted by a court order, they should contact finaid@crosbscholars.org for guidance on information required for the FAFSA.  



If you would prefer to have one-on-one assistance with the FAFSA, you can schedule a virtual Financial Aid Advising Session with Ashly Wilson, Assistant Director of Financial Aid + Advising.

FAFSA Fridays



Coming soon! 

In preparation for the 2026-27 FAFSA to open on October 1st, we will begin our weekly FAFSA Friday email series on Friday, September 26th!

Each Friday, we'll send helpful information on how to prepare for and submit the FAFSA, and what happens after you complete the FAFSA!

September + October Financial Aid Checklist

Prepare for the FAFSA



The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For many, it's the first step in your plan to pay for college. Submitting the FAFSA will let you know what types of financial aid you may qualify for.

Colleges require a submitted FAFSA to determine students' eligibility for financial aid which can include a combination of scholarships, grants, and federal student loans.

The 2026-27 FAFSA will open on October 1st and will require parents and students to use 2024 tax return information.

How to prepare for the FAFSA to open on October 1st:

• Create your StudentAid.gov account. You will need to create a StudentAid.gov account to access, complete, and submit the FAFSA. We encourage you to create your account before the FAFSA opens on October 1. Each Contributor, including the student, will need to create their own StudentAid.gov account. If you are a parent who already has a StudentAid.gov account, you do not need to create another.

• Know who your Contributors are. A Contributor is someone who is required to provide information to complete the FAFSA. A spouse, biological/adoptive parents, or a stepparent can be considered a Contributor.



CSS Profile



The CSS Profile is an online application used by some colleges and universities to award non-federal institutional aid.

The colleges/universities in North Carolina that require the CSS PROFILE are:

• Davidson College
• Duke University
• Elon University
• UNC Chapel Hill
• Wake Forest University

Schools may have different deadlines - be sure to check with each school you are applying to. A list of participating schools is available here.

Students may complete the application in their senior year starting on October 1, 2025. The CSS PROFILE is free for families with an adjusted gross income of up to $100,000. Families with higher adjusted gross incomes will pay $25 for the first school submitted and $16 for each subsequent school submitted.

Residency Determination Service (RDS)



Want to be considered for in-state tuition? Under North Carolina law, you will need to show that you have established your legal residence in NC to be considered for both state grant aid programs and for in-state tuition.

If you forget to complete the RDS, you may be subject to paying out-of-state tuition costs, which can be significantly more expensive!

Completing your Residency Determination is quick and easy! Click here to complete your RDS today.

Research Scholarships



Crosby Scholarships will open in the fall!

Crosby Scholarships are only available to Crosby Scholars Seniors.

Check out our Scholarship Pathways to learn more about the opportunities that will be available to you later this fall!

QuestBridge College Match

Explore a national nonprofit organization that connects academically outstanding high school students from low-income backgrounds with full scholarships and educational opportunities at the nation's top colleges. Application open now through September 30, 2025.

Many flagship scholarships at colleges conduct their scholarship application review and processes beginning in early fall of senior year.

• UNC Chapel Hill's Morehead Cain Scholarship Applications are accepted through October 1, 2025.

• UNC Charlotte's Levine Scholars Nominations are accepted through October 15, 2025.

• Appalachian State University's Signature Scholarship applications accepted through November 15, 2025.

• Duke University's + UNC Chapel Hill's Robertson Scholars Program applications are accepted through November 15, 2025.

CFNC's Dream Chaser Sweepstakes

Celebrate National College Savings Month by entering the Dream Chaser Sweepstakes! Help support your loved one's brightest future and enter for the chance to win $5,529 by opening an NC 529 Account or contributing to an existing account this month.

To enter, you must register your new or existing NC 529 Account and complete at least one qualifying action during the month of September. The more qualifying actions you complete, the more entries you will earn, and you may increase your chances of winning!

Crosby Scholars is here for you! Email us at finaid@crosbyscholars.org or call us at 336-725-5371.

To schedule a virtual Financial Aid Advising session with Ashly Wilson, Assistant Director of Financial Aid + Scholarships, click the link below!