NC Longleaf Commitment Grants
New! Members of the high school classes of 2021 and 2022 in North Carolina can get a grant for tuition and fees to attend North Carolina community colleges this spring!
Amount
$700 to $2,800 for
full-time enrollment
Awards Available
to qualifying
2021 & 2022 NC Graduates
Deadline
NO Deadline
Follow the steps below
Eligibility
To receive the Longleaf Commitment Grant, you must
- Be a 2020-2021 school year North Carolina high school graduate attending one of North Carolina’s community colleges beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year or
- Be a 2021-2022 school year North Carolina high school graduate attending one of North Carolina’s community colleges beginning in the 2022-2023 academic year
- Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes
- Enroll for at least six credit hours per semester in a curriculum program
- Meet WPCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements of the community college
What is the Longleaf Commitment Grant?
North Carolina received a total of $137.8 million in aid from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund through federal COVID-19 relief packages allowing the Governor’s Office to launch the Longleaf Commitment for 2021 North Carolina high school graduates in partnership with the NC Community College System and the State Education Assistance Authority to guarantee that students graduating from high school in 2021 from low-income and working-class families receive enough financial aid to cover tuition and fees, at any of the state’s 58 community colleges, in order to earn an associate degree and/or credits to transfer to a four-year institution.
The North Carolina General Assembly provided State Fiscal Recovery funding in the 2021 budget to extend the Longleaf Commitment to students graduating from high school in 2022.
Steps to Receive the Longleaf Commitment Grant
Establish NC Residency
To be eligible for in-state tuition, state grants, and certain financial aid, you must show that you are a resident of North Carolina. Complete your residency determination soon!
Fill Out the FAFSA
Completing the 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college. Get started today!
Apply to WPCC
To complete your qualification for a Longleaf Commitment Grant, you must apply for admission to WPCC. Our New Student page walks you through the process.
Other Information
Consideration for funding is automatic once the FAFSA is filed. Eligible students will be notified of grant awards by the college Financial Aid Office.
2021 High School Graduates:
The grant is available to 2020-2021 school year high school graduates (one cohort) attending a NC Community College, beginning in the fall of 2021 and during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years. The grant will end after the Spring 2023 semester.
Eligible full-time (12+ credits) students will receive a minimum grant of $700 to $2,800 per year for two years. Award amounts will adjust based on how many credits a student is enrolled in during a semester. For example, the minimum and maximum grants for students enrolled half-time (6 credits) is $350 and $1,400 per year.
2022 High School Graduates:
The grant is available to 2021-2022 school year high school graduates (one cohort) attending a NC Community College, beginning in the fall of 2022 and during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years. The grant will end after the Spring 2024 semester.
Eligible full-time (12+ credits) students will receive a minimum grant of $700 to $2,800 per year for two years. Award amounts will adjust based on how many credits a student is enrolled in during a semester. For example, the minimum and maximum grants for students enrolled half-time (6 credits) is $350 and $1,400 per year.
Questions? Please contact the WPCC Financial Aid Office.