Connect

You can meet with Financial Aid staff before you submit an application to NC State and before you submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Or you can submit these applications first. It’s your choice. But we encourage you to meet with people in the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible to get their advice. We also encourage you to start the financial-aid application process as early as possible, because there are several important steps to take before you can register for classes. These steps may take some time to complete. Check with the Financial Aid Office about deadlines and assistance.

There are many different sources of financial aid. However, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important first step. Here are a few key pieces of information you will need:

• fafsa.ed.gov, opens in a new window
• Choose “North Central State College” and enter our school code (005313)
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Federal W2 forms and Federal Tax Return forms
• Complete the FAFSA in Five Steps (PDF), opens in a new window

NC State accepts and provides access to many different forms of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study. Ask Financial Aid staff about the following:

• Federal Financial Aid
  • Pell Grant
  • Work-Study Program
  • Student Loans
• State of Ohio
  • Grants (e.g., Choose Ohio First program)
  • Student Loans
• Private Charitable Foundations
  • Grants
  • Scholarships
  • Ohio County-Based Scholarship Programs (i.e., county where you live might have scholarships available)
• Private Lenders
  • Student Loans
• Employers
  • Tuition Reimbursement Programs
  • Tuition Reimbursement Deferral Program, sponsored by NC State Cashier’s Office
• NC State Foundation
  • Grants
  • Scholarships
• Veterans Affairs
  • Grants
  • Scholarships

• Contact Financial Aid Office: 419-755-4899
• Certificate Programs (PDF), opens in a new window
• Complete the FAFSA in Five Steps (PDF), opens in a new window
• ncstatecollege.edu/admissions-and-aid/financial-aid
• fafsa.ed.gov, opens in a new window

You will need to gather and submit documentation of your prior learning experiences in order for us to collaborate with you to complete the following:

• Admission application
• Financial aid application
• Academic advising and planning (number of required courses to complete)

Here are some examples of documents to gather and submit. Ask your Success Coach and Admissions Counselor (see above) for advice about which ones you will need:

• High School transcripts
• General Education Diploma (GED)
• Adult Education Diploma
• College transfer credits (transcripts from other colleges and universities where you completed courses)
• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) from FastPath Ohio
  • Job/professional licenses
  • Job/vocational training certificates
  • Military transcripts

Office of Admission
North Central State College
2441 Kenwood Circle
Mansfield, OH 44906

• Contact an Enrollment Advisor (Admissions Counselor) if you have questions or wish to schedule an appointment: 419-755-4761 (or 888-755-4899)
• ncstatecollege.edu/apply
• fastpathohio.com, opens in a new window

No need for high anxiety with this step. NC State acknowledges that some adult learners may struggle with college-level math and English, especially if it has been a while since you were in school. We are taking a new approach to placement tests, which determine the type and number of gateway (or core) courses you’ll be required to take. We have developed some new first-year courses and tutoring services that help adult learners build momentum by making their first few classes very relevant and meaningful to their academic and career path. Your Success Coach (see below) can explain more. For now, here are a few things to expect about placement tests:

• The Accuplacer test is administered on-campus. It helps determine appropriate course placement.
• Testing is required for students who have not taken the ACT test or a prior placement test.
• For transfer students, placement testing might not be necessary for you. Ask us.
• Self-study guides are available.
• Call to schedule an appointment to take your placement test.

• Contact the Student Success and Transition Center with questions and to schedule your placement test: 419-755-4764 (option #3)
• ncstatecollege.edu/student-services/testing-and-assessment-services/

You meet with a Success Coach after you apply for admission to NC State. We encourage you to develop a relationship with a Success Coach as soon as possible. In fact, it’s required of all students. Your Success Coach is located in the Student Success Center. He or she helps you develop a structure for your first experiences at NC State that will build your momentum of success. Your coach gets to know you as an individual and helps you develop an initial, flexible plan. Some activities include the following:

• Discuss your life experiences and academic and career goals
• Conduct a basic-needs review to identify any personal circumstances that may impact academic success (e.g., work and family obligations; financial issues; needs for assistance with food, clothing, housing, healthcare, transportation)
• Review veteran’s status, issues, and services
• Make referrals to on-campus supportive services and community-based services
• Help you choose a major and develop a two-term (two-semester) academic plan
• Track your progress during your first semester of college

• Contact your Success Coach to schedule an appointment: 419-755-4764
• fastpathohio.com, opens in a new window

Our research shows that adult learners who attend our on-campus orientation are more likely to finish their classes and earn certifications and degrees. It’s a huge part of student success. At NC State, our new-student orientation is called “Connect to College.” It helps all students start strong so they can finish strong. During this half-day session, you will learn about and get introduced to the following:

• Campus resources and departments
• Campus layout (navigating campus safely)
• Campus technology (e.g., Microsoft 365, “MyNC” portal for registering and paying for classes, tracking financial aid, downloading and uploading class assignments)
• Academic programs
• College expectations
• Succeeding in college
• Paying for college
• Important deadlines
• Meeting fellow students
• Opportunities to get involved outside the classroom with fellow students
• Registering for classes

• Contact the Student Success Center to register for orientation: 419-755-4764
• Contact your Success Coach with questions: 419-755-4764
• New-Student Orientation takes place in the Byron Kee Center for Student Success. Please check-in at the Welcome Desk.
• ncstatecollege.edu/adult-learners