The document summarizes the various financial aid programs available at South Piedmont Community College. It outlines numerous grants, scholarships, and loan programs both at the federal and state level that provide funding to help students pay for their education. These include Pell grants, education lottery scholarships, work study programs, and loans from Sallie Mae and Sun Trust. Contact information is provided for applying to these various sources of financial assistance.

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Financial Aid
Grants & Programs
At a Glance
At a Glance

2. South Piedmont Community College participates in
several programs that are intended to help alleviate
some of the financial burden of obtaining postsecondary
education. With a few exceptions, most programs are
applied for by submitting the FAFSA. Loan programs
must be repaid; otherwise, the resources listed in this
brochure do not.
Requirements are basic for most grants and programs;
however, there are some exceptions. Please note any
exceptions or additions to individual awards. Basic
applicant requirements are:
1) Must be either a citizen, or a permanent resident
of the United States
2) Must be an undergraduate, enrolled in an eligible
program of study
3) Must meet and maintain satisfactory academic
progress
4) Must not be in default on a student loan
5) Must not be in overpayment status

3. Academic Competitiveness Grant Program awards grants
to eligible, financially needy students who complete a rigorous
secondary school program of study as determined by the state
and recognized by the Secretary of Education. An ACG award is
available during a student’s first and second academic years of
undergraduate education. The student must be enrolled full-
time, be Pell eligible, and have maintained a cumulative GPA of
3.0, if a second-year student.
Education Access Rewards North Carolina Scholars Fund
Program awards are to assist students in obtaining an
education beyond the high school level at community colleges
and universities in North Carolina without incurring student
loans to meet their financial needs during the first two years of
their postsecondary education.
The EARN scholarship is among the newest grants awarded by
North Carolina. Applicants must meet the following eligibility
requirements:
1) Qualify as a resident for tuition purposes and be a legal
resident of North Carolina and the United States
2) Be a graduate of a North Carolina high school, or have
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
3) Enroll in college for the first time, exclusive of any
college credits earned at a North Carolina public
university or a community college, while in high school
4) Enroll in a postsecondary institution within one year of
graduation from a secondary school
5) Be classified as a dependent student for purposes of
eligibility for federal financial aid, or certified by the
NCDHS as a ward of the court. (You may be considered
if you are independent and a foster child)

4. 6) Demonstrate that the Total Family Income does not
exceed 200 percent of the applicable federal poverty
guideline for the student’s family size
7) Meet all other eligibility requirements for the Federal Pell
Grant
Federal Pell Grant Program awards grants directly to
students with payment made through the institutions. Students
who have a qualifying Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) may
receive this grant provided they meet all eligibility requirements
of the Department of Education. The institution that the
student attends may have other eligibility requirements that
must be met. Students need to apply for the Pell Grant every
year at the beginning of the year by submitting a FAFSA
application, preferably after filing federal tax returns.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Program awards funds to students who are undergraduates
and have exceptional financial need. The amount of financial
need and the award amount are determined by the educational
institution you attend.
Students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and are encouraged
to apply before March 15. Earliest applicants receive first
consideration.
Federal Work Study Program award applications are
included in the FAFSA; however, students must also fill out a
separate application for South Piedmont Community College.
Faculty and staff who need assistance will notify the Financial
Aid Office when they have decided upon an applicant. If you are
interviewed and accepted as a work study participant, you must
be cleared through the Human Resources Department before
starting work. Your hours will be decided by your immediate
supervisor. The FA Office may limit your hours. The average
work week is 10-15 hours.
Less than Half-time Funds award funds to students who are
enrolled for less than six credit hours in an eligible program of
study and are making satisfactory progress. Award amounts are
determined by the funds allocated to the institution by the
state.

5. Targeted Assistance awards funds to students enrolled in
eligible programs of study that are considered high occupational
demand areas with low program enrollment. Amounts awarded
are determined by the allotment given to South Piedmont
Community College for this program.
South Piedmont Community College also participates in
the following state funded awards that do not have to be
repaid. These awards are designed to help students who
are residents of North Carolina pay for their education
based on their estimated family contribution. Please
note any requirement exceptions or additions to
individual awards. To be considered for any of the
following awards, you must meet, in addition to Federal
Pell Grant requirements, the following eligibility criteria:
1) Be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes
2) Be enrolled in six or more credit
hours per semester
North Carolina Community College
Grant award values vary according to the
information generated from the student’s Pell Grant application;
students not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant may be eligible
based on a qualifying EFC.
North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship award
eligibility, in addition to the above, is determined based on the
same criteria as the Federal Pell Grant with one exception;
students not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant may be eligible
based on a qualifying EFC.
North Carolina Student Incentive Grant award eligibility, in
addition to the above, is determined based on the same criteria
as the Federal Pell grant with two exceptions: 1) Students must
be enrolled as a full-time student of 12 or more credit hours,
and 2) the EFC must be 0.
Nurse Education Scholarship-Loan Program funds are
available through the Financial Aid Office at institutions that
offer nurse education programs that prepare students for
licensure in North Carolina as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)

6. or Registered Nurses (RN). Recipients must sign a promissory
note.
Prospective Teacher Scholarship-Loan is a competitive,
merit-based scholarship-loan program available to students
who have chosen to enter the education profession. Students
must earn a minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 or
better, receive a score of 900 or better on the SAT (or a score
of 19 or better on the ACT), enroll in a teacher preparation
program, plan to pursue a degree in teacher education to
become a certified teacher, and demonstrate a commitment to
teach in the state’s public schools.
Teacher Assistant Scholarship Fund award funds are
available for teacher assistants from both two and four year
colleges. Students must be full-time
teacher assistant for at least one year at
a public or federal school in North
Carolina. Students must have at least a
3.0 GPA, enroll in a program leading
toward initial teacher licensure at a North
Carolina college (enrollment through the
Internet, or other distanced education programs
accepted), and demonstrate financial need.
South Piedmont Community College also offers the
following types of assistance to our students for which
you must submit a separate application to the Financial
Aid Office:
NCCCS Childcare Assistance Grant awards are available to
students who are single parents and have custody, or joint
custody, of their children. Funds awarded to qualifying students
will be paid directly to their childcare facilitator. Childcare
providers must be licensed by the state of North Carolina.
SPCC State and Local Scholarships offer many awards for
which students may be considered. The eligibility requirements
vary, but generally you must submit the FAFSA, be enrolled for
12 or more credit hours, and be in good academic standing,
(maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher). Scholarship applications will
be mailed with all financial aid packages. One letter of

7. recommendation must accompany the scholarship application.
For a complete listing, see the Student Financial Aid Handbook,
the college scholarship brochure, or the college catalog.
Payment Plans are available using the Nelnet Tuition
Payment Plan. More information is located
on the SPCC website.
SPCC Emergency Loan Funds are made available during the
second month of the semester for students who need to borrow
up to $150. If you are a Pell Grant recipient, the funds will be
charged to your account and taken out of your award at the
time of disbursement. Otherwise, you will be required to repay
the loan within 30 days. To receive a loan, students must be in
an eligible program of study, be making satisfactory progress,
and be in good financial standing with the college. Recipients
must sign a promissory note.
South Piedmont participates in the following loan
programs which must be repaid with interest:
Sallie Mae Career Training Loan. The Career Training LoanSM
can help you finance specialized career instruction programs,
such as technical training, beauty school, or trade school.
Sun Trust Education Loan. Private loans — also called
alternative loans — can help you fill the gap when federal loans,
scholarships, grants and work-study programs don't quite meet
your financial need.
South Piedmont Community College participates in the
following programs for veterans:
North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance (TAP)
Veterans Educational Assistance Program
For more information contact your local veteran affairs office.

8. South Piedmont Community College participates in the
following programs for students with special needs:
Rehabilitation Assistance for Visually Handicapped
Vocational Rehabilitation Program
To apply for these programs contact Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation in Raleigh.
Available Resources
FAFSA – The quickest way to apply is online using FAFSA on the
Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov or go to
www.federalstudentaid,ed,gov and download a PDF version of
the FAFSA, or to request a paper application call toll-free 1-
800-433-3243, or 1-800-730-8913 TTY for the hearing
impaired.
College Foundation of North Carolina – www.cfnc.org, or call toll
free (866) 866-2362
Nelnet Business Solution Tuition Payment Plan – www.spcc.edu
Scholarships – www.fastweb.com; www.scholarships.com;
Sallie Mae – www.slmfinancial.com or Career Training,
Community College, Continuing Education and Tutorial Loan
Customer Sales & Service: (888) 272-5543
Sun Trust - http://suntrusteducation.com or call SunTrust
Education Loans at 800.552.3006
Division of Veteran Affairs – http://www.va.gov
North Carolina Division of Veteran Affairs call (919) 733-3851
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation –
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/contacts/division.htm or call
(919) 733-4534

9. Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired –
Vocational Rehabilitation Services -919-733-9822
Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing -
Vocational Rehabilitation Services – www.ncdhhs.gov/dsd, or
call 919-874-2244 (Voice, TTY), or toll free 866- 222-1546
If you need help applying for any type of educational
financial assistance, please do not hesitate to call the
Financial Aid Office at one of the following locations:
L.L.Polk Campus
680 Hwy. 74 West
Polkton, NC 28135
704-272-5300 or 800-766-0319
Old Charlotte Highway Campus
4209 Old Charlotte Hwy.
Monroe, NC 28110
704-290-5100 or 800-766-0319
SPCC Financial Aid Staff
Vickie Cameron, Financial Aid Director (704) 272-5325
Julie Griffin, Financial Aid Assistant (704) 272-5323
Bree Pope, Financial Aid Assistant (704) 272-5326
Jacque El-Arab, Financial Aid Assistant (704) 290-5843

11. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING YOU MEET YOUR
EDUCATIONAL GOALS!
Start here…Go anywhere!