College Applying
and Funding Plans Put Into Action Click Here to Watch Recording
C/O 2026: College Applying and Funding Plans Put Into Action
Thank you for choosing to be here!
This session will begin at noon and will be recorded.
Today's Presenters:
Mary Allen Conforti, Asst Director of Advising & Jr/Sr Program
Ashly Wilson, Assitant Director of Financial Aid and Advising Cindy Zimmerman, Student-Selected Advising Coordinator
Please display your full name and plan to stay for the session.
If you are having connectivity issues please contact us at (336) 825-2411.
Questions or suggestions can be entered into the chat box or addressed at the end of the session.
Crosby Scholars Staff for Assistance
Revisiting Important Topics & Resources
RDS
Senior Program Roadmap
Advising Calendar Scholarship Announcements in high schools
Testing Tuesday emails from Senior Program
Smart Money Moves newsletter
Weekly emails
Reminders
Senior academy - December 1
College Fair/College Visit - December 1
Community Service - January 31, 2026
CFNC’s College Application Week - Participating Colleges
Activities Resume’
Determine form to use:
Common App
Personal
A standout resume’:
Don’t include if it isn’t requested
Clubs/activities; positions/leadership; hobbies; employment
List in order of importance
Use abbreviations that are understoodi.e. MVP, NHS
Don’t have to complete all blanks
Helpful resources: 2025-2026 Common App Guide
How to Write a College Application
Resume that Stands Out
Essay Services
Essay Review Service until November 15th
Essay Coaching available until December 1st
Senior Academy Credit is awarded for participating!
Confirming Application Types
Early Decision - binding (ED I and ED II)
Early Action
Regular Decision
Rolling
Receiving Admissions Decisions
Accepted: student is granted admission, must confirm by May 1 and pay enrollment deposit
Denied: student is denied admission for this year's cycle but could reapply for Fall 2027; this decision is final
Deferred: decision has not been made; decision has been "deferred" to later in this application cycle (ex: deferred from Early Action round to Regular Decision round)
A few other scenarios:
Waitlisted: student has met the criteria for admission and may eventually be offered admission based on other enrollment decisions; student needs to read this notification carefully as there may be steps the student needs to take to "accept" a spot on the waitlist and it often has a deadline
Spring Admit: student has been accepted for admission but cannot enroll until the Spring semester (beginning in January usually); primarily this has to do with enrollment decisions and space capacity that has nothing to do with the student and is well beyond the applicant's control, but it can feel like a "no" to the student! Sometimes the student will need to respond so he/she should read the communication carefully. Oftentimes - not always - a student will be offered a spot to enroll in the Fall semester later in the year as the class begins to shape up. This can be a frustrating wait for students and families.
Class of 2026 Crosby Scholarships
Students will apply using Scholarships Handbook, as they have in previous years.
2026-27 FAFSA
2026-27 FAFSA is open now
Parents are major Contributors and will need to be involved in the FAFSA process
Students and Parent Contributors need own StudentAid.gov accounts
Parents without Social Security Numbers are still able to obtain a StudentAid.gov account and can Contribute to their students FAFSA
2026-27 CSS Profile
CSS Profile is open now
Financial Aid form establishing eligibility for nonfederal or financial aid. Find which schools require it at CSSProfile.CollegeBoard.org
$25 for first application and $16 for all subsequent applications
Many schools have specific CSS PROFILE deadlines. Make sure to meet those deadlines.
CSS PROFILE has automatic fee waviers for families with an Adjusted Gross Income of less than 100k
Residency Determination Service (RDS)
Students who need assistance or need help troubleshooting should reach out to
Ashly Wilson via Calendly link
Students may watch ‘Intro to RDS’ recording found on list of On-Demand Academies in Crosby Connect.
Conference Note 4
Putting into action
Qualified scholarships
Available in CrosbyConnect
October/November Meeting Outline
Complete by November 26, 2025
Questions or Suggestions