WHEREAS, North Carolina has set a statewide education attainment goal to increase the number of individuals attaining a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree to two million North Carolinians by 2030; and
WHEREAS, the First in Talent: Strategic Economic Development Plan for the State of North Carolina sets a goal to prepare North Carolina’s workforce for career and entrepreneurial success; and
WHEREAS, myFutureNC’s 2022 Educational Attainment Report shows that only 40 percent of North Carolinians aged 18-24 are enrolled in a postsecondary institution; and
WHEREAS, College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free resource funded by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) that provides comprehensive online resources and in-person guidance and training to support students as they plan, apply, and pay for college in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, during the month of October, CFNC will host NC Countdown to College, a statewide event to support North Carolinians in researching future careers, applying to college, and completing the steps to obtain financial aid, including establishing residency and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and
WHEREAS, during the week of October 16 – 20, 2023, many North Carolina colleges and universities will waive their application fees and all will accept the College Board fee waiver for students with a demonstrated financial need, helping to ensure that all students have the opportunity to pursue admission to institutions of higher education; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages students to use CFNC.org to research higher education opportunities and submit college applications, and to use their CFNC accounts to visit NCcareers.org to explore growing North Carolina careers, to prepare them to succeed in today’s global economy and support North Carolina’s growing workforce needs;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October, 2023, as “NORTH CAROLINA COUNTDOWN TO COLLEGE” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.