FAFSA and Paying for College in Cabarrus County: The 2027-28 Form, Next NC Scholarship and Free Help
For students starting college in fall 2027, the most important form is already open. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, unlocks federal grants and most North Carolina aid. Filing early, and getting free help if you need it, can make college far more affordable. Students who want help with grades can find free tutoring in Concord.
The 2027-28 FAFSA Is Open Now
The U.S. Department of Education opened the 2027-28 FAFSA in late September 2026, its earliest launch yet. File it at studentaid.gov. Filing is free; you should never pay a website to submit it.
The Department says the updated form uses simpler language and that many families finish in about 15 minutes. Students can invite a parent to add their information by text or email. Many state and college scholarships require a FAFSA, so file even if you think you will not qualify for federal grants.
The Next NC Scholarship
North Carolina's Next NC Scholarship is awarded automatically through the FAFSA. CFNC lists these requirements: a North Carolina resident, family adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less, a Student Aid Index of 7,500 or less, and enrollment in at least six credit hours.
CFNC lists awards of at least $3,000 at any of the 58 NC community colleges and at least $5,000 at any of the 16 UNC System universities, combining federal and state aid. The priority date is June 1, but CFNC says to file even if that date has passed.
NC Promise: $500 Tuition per Semester
Four UNC System schools charge in-state undergraduates $500 per semester in tuition: Elizabeth City State, UNC Pembroke, Western Carolina and Fayetteville State, which lists the rate starting fall 2027. Fees, housing and meals are extra. In February 2026, the UNC Board of Governors raised tuition at other campuses but kept NC Promise tuition at $500.
Free Help Close to Home
CFNC.org is the state's free college planning site, with a scholarship search and eligibility tools. Your high school counselor can also help. Local students should also look at Foundation For The Carolinas scholarships, which open December 1.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has held free FAFSA help sessions open to any student and family, including at its South Campus in Concord. When we checked, 2027-28 session dates were not posted. Contact the financial aid office at fin.aid@rccc.edu or 704-216-7222 to ask.
Before You Sit Down to File
Create a StudentAid.gov account for the student and one for the contributing parent. Ask your counselor or the college's financial aid office which tax and income records to have on hand, and check each college's own priority date.
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Community Support Note: This resource guide is part of Solo Faith Church's community directory. Facts come from WSOC-TV and Sinclair news reports on the 2027-28 FAFSA launch (September 2026), CFNC's Next NC Scholarship page, Western Carolina University's and Fayetteville State University's NC Promise pages, Spectrum News (February 2026) and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's website, read on October 25, 2026. CFNC's Next NC figures were labeled for an earlier school year; confirm 2027-28 amounts with CFNC or your college. We could not confirm 2027-28 FAFSA help dates at Rowan-Cabarrus or Cabarrus high schools. The photograph is a stock image from the Wix free media library. Solo Faith Church has no financial relationship with any organization named here.
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