CFNC.org Streamlines the College Application Process - RALEIGH, N.C.

CFNC.org Streamlines the College Application Process
Posted: 10-28-2009 : RALEIGH, N.C.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Since its launch in 2001, North Carolina's college access web portal CFNC.org has continually grown its user base while at the same time streamlining the college application process for students and counselors. CFNC.org serves as North Carolina's one stop shop to "plan, apply, and pay for college," utilizing proven technologies and partnerships with the state's educational systems to reduce administrative burdens and costs, and most importantly shorten the amount of time it takes a student to apply to college.

One of the premium services offered on the web portal is a digital package of the online admissions application and electronic high school transcript. CFNC.org gives applicants the option to apply for admission online to all 110 North Carolina public and private, two- and four-year institutions. This online system simplifies the application process, as the majority of required data fields are shared on all 110 of the college admission applications. To date, over 1.5 million online admissions applications have been submitted via CFNC.org to the 110 participating colleges and universities.

CFNC.org was selected in 2003 by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) as the sole partner and provider of electronic high school transcripts in the state. CFNC.org launched its Transcript System that allowed public school students the capability to request their electronic high school transcript be securely sent either when applying online or directly from the CFNC Transcript System. The participating high schools on the CFNC.org Transcript System have been implemented in a phased approach since 2004 with a current total of 440 (of 523) North Carolina public and charter schools. CFNC.org's Transcript System has securely delivered over 150,000 electronic high school transcripts.

The online application and electronic high school transcript bundle eases the college application process for students seeking higher education opportunities in North Carolina. Counselors and college admissions professionals across the state are very positive about CFNC.org and the services provided with electronic applications and transcripts:

"Wake County high school counselors and registrars are excited that students can now request their transcripts electronically. The CFNC website makes this part of the college admissions process easy and efficient with no cost to our students," says Eric Sparks, Director of School Counseling at Wake County Public School System.

Wil Van der Meulen, Associate Dean of Student and Enrollment Services at Nash Community College states, "Nash Community College has been a CFNC partner for a long time because CFNC always helps us work most efficiently. CFNC's automatic transcript download is a win-win for everyone involved - students, high schools and colleges. We are excited to be using online technology with automatic transcripts. The automation process saves time and money for all involved."

For more information on CFNC.org, call toll-free 1-866-866-CFNC.

About CFNC
College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina that helps students plan, apply, and pay for college. CFNC offers resources toll-free at 1-866-866-CFNC and at CFNC.org. CFNC is a partnership of Pathways, the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc.

Pathways, created by the N.C. General Assembly in 1999, is a state-wide initiative to increase the college going rate of North Carolinians by providing: comprehensive college and career planning resources; electronic applications and transcripts accepted by all 110 North Carolina colleges and universities; and, information on student financial aid and college affordability. Pathways is administered by The University of North Carolina General Administration in collaboration with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the N.C. Community College System, and the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities.
The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (N.C. SEAA),established in 1965, is the State agency that promotes access to higher education by administering financial aid and savings programs, informing students and families about paying for college, teaching educators about financial aid administration, and advocating for resources to support students.
College Foundation, Inc. (CFI), a nonprofit corporation serving North Carolina students and families since 1955, administers a portfolio of more than $4 billion, including low-interest federal education loans, the State's college grant programs, and the tax-free "529" college savings program on behalf of the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority. CFI also delivers information to North Carolina students and families about paying for college and provides technology services for CFNC.org.