School & Education

Foster youth and those who aged out of care often qualify for Independent Student status, which can mean more grant money. The NC Education Training Voucher (ETV) provides up to $5,000/year on top of FAFSA.

Every foster youth aging out of care should file FAFSA

1. 1 Step 1: Go to studentaid.gov and create a free account
2. 2 Step 2: Fill out the FAFSA form — foster/homeless youth select "Independent Student" status
3. 3 NC ETV Grant: Foster alumni can receive up to $5,000/year — email ETVandNCReachProgram@dhhs.nc.gov
4. 4 A-B Tech Next NC Scholarship: Households earning under $80,000 may get full tuition covered — just file FAFSA first (abtech.edu/nextnc)

World-class academic help for all subjects and grade levels — no cost, no login required for most resources.

100% free, available anytime

1. 1 Khan Academy: khanacademy.org — math, science, history, SAT prep, college counseling, all free
2. 2 NC LIVE: nclive.org — free databases, textbooks, and live tutors with any NC library card
3. 3 Coursera / edX: Free audit access to university-level courses from top schools
4. 4 Quizlet: quizlet.com — flashcard-based studying for any subject
5. 5 A-B Tech Tutoring Center: Free for all enrolled A-B Tech students on campus

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) is the largest higher education institution in Western NC. It has an open admissions policy and serves students regardless of background.

Open admissions · No application fee · 150+ programs

1. 1 A-B Tech main campus: 340 Victoria Rd, Asheville · 828-254-1921 · abtech.edu
2. 2 Programs: CDL/trucking, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, nursing, culinary arts, IT, business, cosmetology, and 150+ more
3. 3 How to apply: abtech.edu → Admissions → Apply Now (free, no application fee)
4. 4 Trades & skilled training: abtech.edu/CE-workforce/occupational-and-skilled-trades
5. 5 UNC Asheville: 4-year liberal arts degrees; A-B Tech transfer pathway — unca.edu

Both the SAT and ACT offer fully free official prep tools online, developed in partnership with the test makers themselves.

Built by the test makers — no paid courses needed

1. 1 SAT — Khan Academy Official Prep: khanacademy.org/digital-sat — personalized study plans, full practice tests, built by College Board
2. 2 SAT — Bluebook App: Download from College Board to take full-length digital practice tests
3. 3 ACT Academy: academy.act.org — official free ACT prep with diagnostic tests
4. 4 College Board practice portal: satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice