Forsyth Students Prepare for October 19–25 College Application Fee Waiver Week

Forsyth County students preparing for college have a limited opportunity next week to apply to participating North Carolina campuses without paying standard application fees. College Application Week begins Monday, October 19, and runs through Sunday, October 25, with Winston-Salem State University, Salem College, North Carolina A&T and all 58 community colleges among the participating institutions.

The statewide initiative is organized through the College Foundation of North Carolina. Students should begin at CFNC.org and review the current participation list, because eligibility can depend on the institution, the type of applicant and the route used to submit an application. Using a different platform without checking first could mean a fee waiver does not apply.

West Forsyth High School counselors plan small-group application assistance sessions October 20 and 21. Students at other Forsyth schools can contact their guidance offices about available support. Families should prepare account access, school lists and required information before the window opens rather than waiting until the final afternoon.

Submitting an admission application is not the same as sending a high school transcript, completing financial aid paperwork or establishing North Carolina residency. Those processes have separate requirements. Students may be able to request electronic transcripts through CFNC, but should check whether their school's records match the identifying information in their accounts.

The program can make applying to several colleges more affordable, especially for students weighing multiple choices. However, the waiver is not a guarantee of admission and does not override deadlines for scholarships, honors programs or housing. Prospective applicants should check each campus's requirements directly.

For students who already have direct-admission opportunities through NC College Connect, the application week is still a useful time to review alternatives and confirm what steps remain. The key deadline is October 25; the fee-waiver opportunity should not be treated as an open-ended offer.