Web sites boost college planning

CFNC.org lets students learn about, compare, even apply to 110 N.C. colleges

College application season is in full swing again, and tens of thousands of North Carolina high school students have something in common besides the nail-biting, nerve-wracking wait for an acceptance letter.

Many have navigated the complicated college search process on CFNC.org.

The free Web site -- with initials that stand for College Foundation of North Carolina -- was launched four years ago with the goal of helping every student in the state prepare for higher education. It has become the first and last stop for students who want to go to college here.

With a few clicks, they can find out about any and all of North Carolina's 110 public, private and community colleges. They can explore career options and match their interests with academic programs. They can apply online to multiple campuses quickly and easily. They can find out about financial aid. Their parents can open a college savings account.

This week, the site is expected to reach a milestone with its 1 millionth student account. An average of 4,617 people visit each day, and more than 24,000 students submitted applications through the site in October. The Web site has become so successful that 24 states have copied it or plan to.

Many students use CFNC only for completing applications, eliminating repetition and paperwork hassles. Others take full advantage of the site, comparing campuses, exploring careers, taking practice SAT tests.

Shanda Adkins, 18, of Millers Creek in Wilkes County, started using CFNC when she was in eighth grade. She started to take online tours of various campuses. She learned about Gardner-Webb University and nearby Wilkes Community College. She looked for colleges that offered the three majors she's considering: psychology, Spanish and communications.

CFNC steered her

Now, she is waiting to hear from UNC-Greensboro, her first choice. That's exciting for Adkins, who will be the first in her family to go for a college diploma.

"I've always wanted to go to college and knew that I would," she says. "[CFNC] showed me the money was there and it was very much a possibility."

That is a big message of CFNC, which is a nonprofit run by three different agencies and serves the UNC system, the community college system, the state's private colleges and the public schools. The whole idea is to demystify what can be an intimidating process for many students, especially those from low-income families. The aim is to boost North Carolina's college-going rate, which has historically been below the national average.

The program urges students to start using the site in middle school.

"If we have that early thought process, we start building confidence that they can go to college," says Brian K. Williams, director of technology and Internet services for CFNC.

Once students have created an account and kept track of their high school courses, grades and extracurricular activities, a seed has been planted.

"What they didn't think was an option for them before is a reality for them," Williams says. "It's very empowering."

Shakelia Johnson, 17, who lives in Halifax County, has submitted applications to five colleges. She has already been accepted by East Carolina University.

CFNC has saved precious time for Johnson, a single mother who works part-time at Hardee's after classes end at Southeast Halifax High School. Johnson is a high-achieving student with a 3.6 grade-point average.

She's not sure how she'll pay for college, but she's sure it will work out. "You can do anything if you put your mind to it," she says.