Keep it simple. Give students clear information on how they can qualify for financial aid, show them how much they could get, and interest in college soars. Research conducted by the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority uncovered these findings. The Next NC Scholarship capitalizes on them by combining federal and state funds into one easy to understand package. To qualify, all students need to do is complete a FAFSA. One district leader, Laura Hunter, will tell you how she beat the odds during the FAFSA meltdown. Under Laura's relentless leadership, Columbus County schools increased FAFSA completions 39.4% in a single year and reached an unheard of 72.8% completion rate by the end of July. That translates into an estimated $756,000 in Pell Grants and more Columbus County students going to college. How did she do it? Find out at this session, sponsored by the North Carolina Education Lottery, raising more than $40 million a year for the new Next NC Scholarship. Presenters: Laura Hunter, Kathy Hastings, Adam Owens, Leigh Warren