TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE

Pell Grant

Pell grants are provided through federal funding and are not required to be repaid by the student. Pell Grants are awarded to help undergraduates that have not earned a bachelors or professional degree pay for their education after high school. For many students these grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which aid from other sources may be added.

The student’s eligibility for the Pell grant is determined by the Department of Education and is based on the financial need of the student. The Financial Aid Staff will determine if the student is eligible to receive Pell grant funds by reviewing the student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress and the curriculum program the student has selected as a major. To apply for a federal Pell Grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be completed for each academic year the student is enrolled.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are provided through federal funding and are not required to be repaid by the student. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded to help students pay for their post-secondary education. These grants are for undergraduates with exceptional financial need (with priority given to Pell Grant recipients). The amount of the award is based on financial need, the number of credit hours the student is enrolled, and the availability of funds.

The student’s eligibility for the FSEOG grant is determined by the institution and is based on the financial need of the student. The Financial Aid Staff will determine if the student is eligible to receive FSEOG grant funds by reviewing the student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress. To apply for the FSEOG, the student should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for students who need additional financial assistance. The program encourages community service and work related to the student's course of study. Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours in order to participate in the work-study program and may be eligible to work up to 20 hours a week. The salary will be at least the current federal minimum wage rate.

The student’s eligibility for the Federal Work-Study grant is determined by the Financial Aid Staff and is based on the financial need of the student. The student will be required to be in compliance with Randolph Community College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy in order to be considered for the Federal Work-Study program. To apply for Federal Work-Study, the student should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then contact the financial aid office to complete an application for the Federal Work-Study program.

Workforce Development Program

The Workforce Development program at RCC is sponsored through the Workforce Investment ACT (WIA). This program provides training, employment and financial services to disadvantaged adults and dislocated workers who meet the eligibility criteria.

Training assistance available includes: adult education, literacy training, occupational skills training, and curriculum education training.
Employment assistance available includes: pre-employment skills assessment, resume writing, and job placement assistance.
Financial assistance may be available in the form of scholarship assistance for tuition, textbooks, and fees

For more assistance on WIA services, contact Joblink at (336) 633-0304.

State Child Care Grant (Pending available funding)

The State Child Care Grant to community colleges provides childcare assistance for student parents in college with demonstrated need for childcare funding.

It is recommended that all applicants for child care assistance file for the Federal Title IV Student Financial Aid, although eligibility for federal aid is not a criterion for receiving assistance through this program, and then contact the financial aid office to complete an application for the State Child Care Grant.

Once all applications have been received, the Financial Aid Staff will process the applications based on the date the application was submitted, the student’s financial need for assistance, and the availability of funds. The student will be required to be in compliance with Randolph Community College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy in order to be considered for the State Child Care Grant.

North Carolina Community College Grant

To be eligible for the North Carolina Community College Grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 15th deadline and list a North Carolina community college as one of their top three choices on the institutions section of the FAFSA. North Carolina Community College Grant does not have funds available during the summer term.

A qualified student must be a resident of North Carolina enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) in an eligible curriculum program. Students must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and the Pell Grant eligibility requirements except for the expected family contribution (EFC) requirement established by the federal government. Students with a bachelor's degree are ineligible. Qualified students may receive both the Pell Grant and the North Carolina Community College Grant.

Annual amounts for full-time students vary from $100 - $2100 based on the student's established need and enrollment status. If a student's enrollment status reduces, the annual award amount will reduce proportionally.

North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS)

The North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS) was created by the 2005 General Assembly to provide financial assistance to needy North Carolina resident students attending eligible colleges and universities located within the state of North Carolina.

To be eligible, applicant must:

Be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes

Enroll for at least six credit hours per semester in a curriculum program

Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements of the institution

Be admitted, enrolled and classified as an undergraduate student in matriculated status in a degree, certificate or diploma program at an eligible North Carolina institution (UNC campuses, Community College Campuses, Independent College Campuses and certain other private colleges)

Eligibility is determined based on the same criteria as the Federal Pell Grant with one exception; students not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant with an estimated family contribution of $5000 or less will be eligible for an Education Lottery Scholarship. Students who have earned baccalaureate (four-year) college degrees are ineligible.

Education Access Rewards North Carolina Scholars Fund (EARN)

Application for this state grant is made through the FAFSA. To be eligible to receive these funds, a student must (1) be a legal resident of North Carolina, (2) be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full-time basis, (3) be classified as a dependent student under the Higher Education Act or certified by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a ward of the court, (4) have within seven months of the fiscal year in which the grant is first disbursed: graduated from a North Carolina high school, received a GED certificate from a North Carolina institution, or completed a high school education in a home school setting in compliance with G.S. § 115C-564, (5) demonstrate that total family income does not exceed two hundred percent (200%) of the applicable federal poverty guideline for the student’s family size, (6) meet all eligibility requirements, except expected family contribution (EFC), for the Federal Pell Grant, (7) have not received these funds for more than the equivalent of two academic years, and (8) not be in default, or not owe a refund, under any federal or state loan or grant program.

NC Student Incentive Grant (NCSIG)

This program is offered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority through College Foundation Inc. The state deadline can be found on the front cover of the FAFSA.

In order to be eligible for the North Carolina Student Incentive Grant, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen and a North Carolina resident. Applicants will need to either be enrolled full-time or accepted for enrollment at a North Carolina postsecondary institution. Enrollment cannot be in a program designed primarily for career preparation in a religious vocation. Applicants must demonstrate "substantial financial need" and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

To apply for the North Carolina Student Incentive Grant applicants should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to indicate on the FAFSA that North Carolina is his/her state of legal residence. List at least one North Carolina college, university, technical or vocational school in the release section of the form

Scholarships

To be considered for the Randolph Community College, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit an application for the RCC Foundation Scholarship by April 30th in order to be considered for funding during the upcoming fall semester.

Student’s must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0. For more information on the RCC Foundation Scholarship contact the Foundation Office at 336-633-0295.

There are two scholarships that do not require the FAFSA.

RCC Faculty Association Scholarship

Centel Pioneers Scholarship

There are a few others that are selected by department heads for which financial aid can be a consideration, but they are awarded separately.

This is explained in the instructions where it talks about the FAFSA.
In order to be considered for these, students must complete the supplemental questions that pertain to these two merit scholarships.

Outside Scholarships

An outside scholarship may be awarded from a high school, a local civic club or church, educational foundation, etc. If you will be receiving such an award, you must notify the RCC Financial Aid Office prior to registration.

If the scholarship requires the College to bill a donor for your award you will need to submit an authorization letter from the donor to the business office on company letterhead requesting the College do so. The letter should include details on the amount that is to be billed, the student’s name, the donor’s contact person, and billing information.

Student Loans

RCC does not participate in the Federal Family Education Loan program. However, privately funded student loan information is available from the Financial Aid Office upon request.

Veteran Educational Benefits

The Financial Aid/Veterans Office provides information and assistance to veterans and dependents of disabled or deceased veterans who are eligible to receive educational benefits. Veterans applying for VA educational benefits must enroll in an approved curriculum program and take only those courses that are required for graduation. Satisfactory academic progress must also be maintained.

Students wishing to submit inquiries about Veterans payments may now do so through the Internet. The Internet address is http://www.va.gov/

Students may also call the VA Regional Office at 800-827-1000 for information and assistance or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Service at 888-442-4551.

For additional information contact your local Veterans Service Representative or the Financial Aid Office at RCC.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Students who have a mental or physical disability that is an impediment to employment may apply for financial assistance through vocational rehabilitation. Interested students should contact the Vocational Rehabilitation Office nearest the students' home, or contact:

N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
PO Box 26053
805 Ruggles Drive
Raleigh , NC 27611-6053
919-733-3364

Locally, students may contact:

North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation
Southern Pines Office
910-295-1530

Employer Sponsorship

Many North Carolina employers will provide tuition assistance through employer sponsorships equivalent to in-state rates.