Types of Aid

Grants
Scholarships
Federal Work Study Employment
Loans
Outside Links to Information

Grants

You may be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), NC Community College Grant, or State Student Incentive Grant. These guides are available in the office of Student Financial Aid. The NC Community College Grant and the State Student Incentive Grants are for NC Residents. Students may apply by completing the FAFSA. For more information about these grants, read the US Department of Education's Student Guide. For more information about these programs, contact the Financial Aid Office at (252) 493-7339 or come by the Financial Aid Office in Vernon White Building Room 11.

Child Care Grant

The Child Care Grant is available for primarily single parents who have a child between the ages of 0 - 5 to provide assistance in paying their day care costs. The application is available in the financial aid office. Funding is contingent upon legislative approval.

Scholarships

The largest source of scholarships at Pitt Community College are institutional merit scholarships. Institutional merit scholarships are generally awarded based on stated criteria such as a high grade point average or high school class ranking. Other institutional scholarships are awarded based on affiliation with a certain group like a sorority or fraternity, interest in a specific subject area like math or science, etc. Need-based scholarships and grants are awarded based upon a student's financial need. Some scholarships are awarded based on both merit and financial need. Take a look at the complete list of Pitt Community College Scholarships in the PCC Catalog for more information.

PCC's High Demand/Low Enrollment Scholarship
Golden Leaf Scholarship (Word version)
Golden Leaf Scholarship (PDF version)
**Golden Leaf applications are due in the Financial Aid Office by August 29th

Private foundations, civic organizations, and others provide additional scholarships. In our experience, most students receive these outside scholarships from organizations within their home community. For this reason, we encourage you to check with your high school, local civic organizations and religious institutions to see what scholarships are available or you may search the Web.

Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholarship
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

Federal Work Study Employment

Federal Work Study is a federally supported employment program through which students are offered jobs to help meet college expenses. Eligibility is contingent on Financial Need that is determined by the U.S. Department of Education.

Work Study offers education and job experience. In a more competitive job market, employers seek applicants who have employment and academic experience. Work Study jobs may also provide:

Practical training and experience in a chosen field
Positive job experience to help students identify career objectives
An impressive resume and recommendations from employers

Work Study participants can work with staff members on campus performing a variety of jobs or may work off campus with an approved community service organization providing tutoring services for the America Reads and Counts program. Jobs and hours are flexible.

Pay is determined by the position in which the student is hired. The majority of our Work Study students are paid $7.00 per hour. Students may work no more than 20 hours per week and must be enrolled at least six credit hours per term. If you drop below six credit hours, you must stop working that day. Students must have unmet need. If Pell Grant is terminated then Work Study is too. Timesheets are due the last day of each month. Pay checks are direct deposited or mailed to the student the last day of the next month. Work Study students cannot work when they are scheduled for class. In order to work in the summer, you must be approved for Pell Grant for the next fall term and be enrolled at least six credit hours.

Vacant Work Study positions are posted on the web at the Work Study Job Opportunities page. Students are free to interview for and secure the job of their choice from those listed. Students should view the work study video "Never Sell Yourself Short" before they interview for a position. The video is available at the circulation desk at the PCC Library, the Joblink Center, the Counselor office in the Warren Building or the Reddrick Building Computer Lab. Please sign the attendance sheet at the area in which you view the video. Work Study jobs are not assigned. The decision on hiring and setting work hours will be determined by the hiring supervisor. Once a student has been selected to be hired for a vacant position they must submit a variety of documents and forms to the Financial Aid Office before beginning employment.

Pitt Community College has more students who qualify for Work Study than there is funding. As a result, the college cannot guarantee a job or total earnings awarded.

Loans

There are a wide range of loan options available for financing your education. The Federal Stafford and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loans are most often used. A Federal Stafford Loan is a student loan that may be subsidized or unsubsidized depending on your financial need. For more information on how financial need is determined, see How Financial Aid is Determined. The Federal Government makes the interest payments for the student during college on a Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan. The student must either make interest payments or capitalize interest payments on an Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. A Federal PLUS Loan is made to parent(s) of an undergraduate student. For more information about these Federal loans, read the US Department of Education's Student Guide.

Outside Links to Information

Note: These links leave the PCC web site. These links are not to be considered as being endorsed by Pitt Community College