Financial aid Coverage

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

WASHINGTON (AP) — The last thing standing between Ashnaelle Bijoux and her college dream is the FAFSA form — a financial aid application that's supposed to help students go to college, but is blocking her instead. She has tried to submit it over and over. Every time, it fails to go through.

By COLLIN BINKLEY, AP Education Writer

FAFSA delays put financial aid information, college decisions in limbo

About eight out of every 10 students in North Carolina receive some sort of federal financial assistance.

College decisions delayed while financial aid sits in limbo amid FAFSA fiasco

About 8 out of every 10 college students in the state receive some sort of federal financial assistance.

Ali Ingersoll, WRAL investigative data reporter

Saint Augustine's students considering transferring amid school's loss of accreditation

Some current students told WRAL News they are looking to transfer after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission's [SACSCOC] Appeals Committee upheld the board's decision to revoke accreditation for the school, which has struggled with financial management issues.

Carly Haynes, WRAL reporter

Many left frustrated over Saint Augustine's financial issues

Parents of students at the university told WRAL News the school has not set financial aid refunds to their children, with one parent saying they didn't receive one in the fall semester of the 2023-2024 school year.

Financial aid info could come later, making student college decisions difficutl

Typically, students receive financial aid award letters from schools in March and are expected to commit to a college by May 1. But now that timeline is in jeopardy.

Duke University agrees to settle controversial price-fixing case

Two years ago, 17 schools were sued for inflating tuition for students who received financial aid. Duke and several other schools reached a multi-million-dollar settlement for working together to limit financial aid to students.

WRAL staff

Duke and four other universities agree to settle price-fixing case

Duke University has settled a lawsuit that accused some of the nation's top universities of inflating tuition for students who received financial aid.

A New FAFSA Form Is Coming, Along With Changes in College Aid

A long-awaited, supposedly user-friendly version of the college financial aid form known as the FAFSA will be unveiled for the 2024-25 school year.

Ann Carrns, New York Times

College advice from a financial aid veteran

Tiffany Youngblood has spent 18 years in the world of financial aid -- and continues to make an impact on the lives of students.

Abbey Slattery, WRAL Digital Solutions

More need-based financial aid in new NC budget

Seniors graduating in 2022 can get extra help paying for community college thanks to the expansion of a pandemic grant program.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Big week for applying to colleges, for financial aid in NC

Cris Charbonneau, director of advocacy and engagement for MyFutureNC, an education nonprofit, discusses the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - the FAFSA - as soon as possible to qualify for as much college financial aid as possible.

Two big chances for college-bound families to save money

Parents of college-bound students can take advantage of two opportunities this week to save some money.

Kathy Hanrahan, WRAL lifestyle editor

Mistakes to avoid when saving for college

Financial aid is a major focus for college-bound students and their parents. Sarita Broadway with the Senior College Foundation of North Carolina representative gives three common mistakes to avoid when saving for college.

Raleigh twins earn $1 million in scholarships, accepted into 15 universities

They're 17-year-old twins and making quite a name for themselves. Siblings from Wake County were accepted into 15 institutions, earning more than one million dollars in scholarships.

Lora Lavigne, WRAL Durham reporter

FAFSA completions down among NC high school seniors, but turnaround efforts ramp up

Fewer North Carolina high school students are completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid this year.

Emily Walkenhorst, WRAL education reporter

Wondering how you are going to pay for college this semester? Here is a helpful tip

As millions of people have applied from unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic and are struggling to pay the bills -- paying for college may seem impossible.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 on Your Side reporter

Fewer students are applying for federal college aid during pandemic

In mid-March, when many state's began shutdowns, applications began to decline, according to National College Attainment Network.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL multimedia journalist & Maggie Brown, multiplatform producer

How COVID-19 is affecting school loans, financing and the college application process

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many undergraduate and graduate students are left wondering how the college loan and application process will be affected going forward. While it may be too soon to fully know, there are still plenty of low-interest options for financial aid.

Abbey Slattery, WRAL Digital Solutions

Democratic lawmakers: NC unemployment insurance system 'underfunded' and 'unprepared'

A group of lawmakers held a virtual Zoom meeting Monday urging the General Assembly to make improvements to North Carolina's unemployment insurance (UI) system.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL multiplatform producer

Coronavirus may impact financial aid requests for college students

The coronavirus has forced colleges and universities to shut down for the remainder of the school year -- the impact goes deep.

Model program at UNCP helps college students struggling with homelessness

A professor at UNC Pembroke has started a unique program to address the issue of homelessness on college campuses.

Mandy Mitchell, WRAL reporter

Don't Get Hooked: 7 red flags that a college 'scholarship' offer is actually a scam

As high school seniors and their parents weigh those college options and acceptances, they might be excited, but they also could be vulnerable, especially if they're wondering how they'll be able to pay for it all.

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor

Financial aid forms go mobile with app

Students can use the MyStudentAid app to fill out the FAFSA on their phone or tablet.

App makes it easier to apply for college financial aid

With nearly 150 colleges and universities in North Carolina, there are a lot of students in need of financial aid, and the process of applying for aid just got easier.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter