Types of Aid
Grants
The following is a brief description of grant programs available to students at WPCC. Grants are gift money that does not need to be repaid as long as the student does not withdraw from or stop attending all classes. Students wishing to be considered for grant aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each academic year.
Federal Pell Grant
The PELL Grant program is designed to help low-income students access a college education by providing grants to help them pay for tuition/fees/books & supplies /transportation/living expenses/etc. Unlike loans, grants do not require repayment.
The amount of money a student will receive from the PELL Grant varies year by year and is set by the US Department of Education. Students must complete the FAFSA for each academic year in which they wish to receive aid. Each academic year consists of Fall, Spring, and Summer.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the maximum amount a student can receive in Pell Grant funds for two full-time semesters is $7,395. However, this amount can vary based on individual student need and enrollment status.
To be eligible, students must graduate from high school or a GED program, be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, be an undergraduate student enrolled in an eligible program of study, and have NOT already earned a bachelor’s degree. The student may either attend school part-time or full-time.
A student’s financial aid award will be reduced proportionately if you attend less than full-time. Prorations occur for each credit hour less than 12.
The Department of Education limits the amount of PELL Grant funds a student may receive over their life time to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters or 600%. Students who attend part-time will take longer to reach their Life Time Eligibility Used (LEU).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program provides need-based grants to help low-income undergraduate students finance the costs of postsecondary education. The institution must give priority to those students with “exceptional need” (those with the lowest Student Aid Index, or SAIs, at the institution) and those who are also Federal Pell Grant recipients.
Students who have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have the lowest SAI are automatically considered for FSEOG (there is no separate application).
NEXT NC Scholarship
The North Carolina General Assembly consolidated the North Carolina Community College Grant, and the North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship into a single need-based financial aid program that allows students and families to learn about options and eligibility earlier in the process.
To be considered for this scholarship (NEXT NC), a student must be a North Carolina resident, be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours per semester), have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $80,000 and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Consideration for funding is automatic once the FAFSA is filed. The FAFSA filing priority date is June 1 and for the NEXT NC Scholarship is August 15. Applicants completing the FAFSA after these dates may be denied if funds are not available
Federal Work Study
The Federal Work Study program provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study. Work Study schedules are flexible and allow the student to adjust work hours around each semester’s class schedule. Students will be paid monthly for the number of hours worked, usually between 8-15 hours per week. The hourly rate of pay is $16 per hour for 2026-2027.
Students interested in a Work Study position should complete the FAFSA and the WPCC Work Study Application.
Scholarships
The WPCC Foundation Scholarship application is open from February until July 15 each year, to be awarded the following Fall term. Completing the single online scholarship application will automatically apply you to 100+ WPCC Foundation scholarships for which you may be eligible. Award amounts for individual scholarships vary from $125 to $3,000 per year. Students must also complete the FAFSA each year to be considered for WPCC General Scholarships.
WPCC’s Financial Aid Office also provides information regarding scholarship opportunities from outside agencies or organizations as they become known and available. Information for these outside scholarships can be found on the Scholarship web page, and are updated monthly.
Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information or visit WPCC’s Scholarship webpage for current scholarship offerings.
Other Sources
Forgivable Education Loans for Service (NC FELS) – New NC Program
Established by the 2011 NC General Assembly through the consolidation of eight programs into one. Purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to qualified students to enable them to obtain requisite education beyond the high school level to work in North Carolina in high-need professions and to respond to critical employment shortages. Eligible institutions include: UNC campuses, community college campuses, most private non-profit college campuses, postsecondary institutions owned or operated by a hospital, school of nursing affiliated with a nonprofit postsecondary institution and other public or nonprofit postsecondary institutions offering program of student not otherwise available in NC that is deemed to be eligible. Additional information and how to apply can be found at CFNC.
Private or Alternative Loans – Students who need to borrow to help meet educational expenses have the option to pursue a loan through a bank or lender of their own choosing. Additional information and tips on locating a lender can be found on WPCC’s Loan page.
Emergency Funds
Finish Line Grant
If you have an unanticipated financial emergency that may cause you to miss class or drop out of college for a semester, Western Piedmont Community College may be able to assist with providing financial resources. Please see the Finish Line Grant webpage for information about eligibility and how to apply for these funds.