Financial Aid Programs

Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine federal, state, and institutional student financial aid eligibility.

Federal Programs

Federal Pell Grants

The Federal Pell Grant is a federal program designed to provide financial assistance to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to attend college. The amount of the Federal Pell Grant award depends on students' SAI, their cost of attendance, their full-time or part-time status, and whether they attend school for a full academic year or less. The FAFSA Submission Summary lists the Student Aid Index (SAI). Financial need is determined by subtracting SAI from the student's cost of attendance.

Students need to be enrolled in an eligible college credit curriculum program consisting of at least 16 credit hours in length. Students with bachelor's degrees are not eligible. A Pell Grant award does not have to be repaid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. FSEOG awards do not have to be repaid, and priority is given to students who receive a Federal Pell Grant.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program is a campus-based program administered directly by the Central Piedmont Financial Aid Office. The amount of aid awarded depends on students' financial need, the amount of other aid they receive, and the availability of funds. Students with bachelor's degrees are not eligible.

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program utilizes federal funds to provide part-time employment for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need to help meet their educational expenses. Students with bachelor's degrees are eligible. Students enrolled in at least six credit hours may work an average of 15 to 20 hours per week. FWS employment is determined by students' total financial need, class schedule, credit hours of enrollment, and academic progress each term.

Awarded FWS funds are limited to the availability of positions, funds, and completion of the entrance/interview process. There are no term limitations on earnings, provided annual limits on the student's award letter are not exceeded.

Students are paid each month. The amount paid is according to the position and the number of hours worked.

All available FWS positions are advertised on the Central Piedmont Human Resources website under Careers at Central Piedmont.

America Reads I America Counts I Community Service

America Reads, America Counts, and Community Service are Federal Work-Study programs offered in the fall and spring semesters. These programs allow Central Piedmont students to partner with local elementary schools and nonprofit agencies to increase children's literacy and outreach to the community. Students gain valuable work experience by participating in service activities that support literacy and community outreach.

America Reads, a national campaign initiated in 1997, challenges every American to help children learn to read well and independently by the end of elementary school. There are approximately 1,200 colleges and universities participating in the America Reads Challenge nationwide.

Building on the success of the America Reads Challenge, America Counts was initiated in 1999 to assist students in mastering challenging mathematics, including the foundations of algebra and geometry, and improve student achievement in mathematics by the end of the ninth grade.

The Federal Work-Study Community Service Program allows students to work in a not-for-profit organization while earning their Federal Work-Study money. Community service jobs are in fields such as health care, child care, literacy training, education (including tutorial services), welfare, social services, transportation, housing, and neighborhood improvement, public safety, crime prevention and control, recreation, rural development, and community improvement, support services for students with disabilities as well as activities in which students serve as mentors for purposes such as tutoring, supporting educational and recreational activities and counseling (including career counseling). The benefits of taking a community service position are:

  • Helping improve the quality of life for community members
  • Earning Federal Work-Study money
  • Gaining solid work experience in areas such as public service, psychology, education, administration, etc.
  • Acquiring professional contacts in one's community and school, as well as networking opportunities
  • Making a difference

For more information about these programs, please contact us for more information at 704.330.2722.

State Programs

Next North Carolina Scholarship

The Next NC Scholarship combines the federal Pell Grant with the state-funded financial aid program to form a simplified and predictable scholarship award that’s easier to understand and makes education more affordable for most North Carolinians. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Students with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less and a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 7,500 or less, as reported on the FAFSA Submission Summary, are guaranteed at least $5,000 from combined federal and state aid.

Students with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less and a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 7,500 or less, as reported on the FAFSA Submission Summary, are guaranteed at least $3,000 from combined federal and state aid.

To be eligible for the Next North Carolina Scholarship, students must:

  • Be a North Carolina resident as defined by North Carolina Residency Manual
  • Enroll for at least 6 credit hours
  • Be admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in matriculated status in a degree, certificate or diploma program at one of the 16 institutions of The University of North Carolina or at a North Carolina Community College
Scholarships

Institutional scholarship funds are provided to eligible learners through the Central Piedmont Foundation's continued generosity, individuals, industries, businesses, organizations, civic clubs, and other community partners. Completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an essential part of applying for scholarships through the Central Piedmont Scholarship Program. Candidates also must complete the general scholarship application on Central Piedmont's scholarship management system to be considered for opportunities that match their profiles.

Central Piedmont's scholarship management system is a comprehensive database designed to simplify the application process in searching for multiple Central Piedmont Institutional scholarship offerings. Scholarship applications are accepted until all funds are awarded. Students are encouraged to apply early for scholarship consideration.

Scholarship donors should direct contributions to the Central Piedmont Foundation, which supports and supplements educational programs, projects, and scholarships for which other funds are unavailable or inadequate. Questions about the establishment of scholarships or requests for additional information regarding scholarship donations should be directed to the Central Piedmont Foundation at 704.330.6869. The Central Piedmont Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

Scholarships are available for first-year and continuing students and can cover the total cost of attendance for recipients. Scholarships also are awarded on a competitive basis applying the following criteria: academic excellence, achievement, leadership qualities, need, or other criteria as stipulated by the donor. Awards usually are restricted to tuition assistance and require recipients to maintain a minimum grade point average to continue receiving the scholarship. Each scholarship is awarded for one academic year beginning with the fall semester. Students need to reapply each year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the scholarship application.