Emergency Assistance
RCC students can encounter unexpected financial emergencies like healthcare bills, childcare expenses, or car problems. These challenges can make it hard for students to complete their coursework and training. But with the support of Finish Line Grants and the RCC Foundation, students can overcome these obstacles and achieve their academic goals.
Please feel free to explore these programs to see if you qualify.
The Finish Line Grant program helps students cross the finish line to graduation while they may be facing unforeseen financial challenges. These grants are provided by RCC and may not exceed $1000 in a semester.
Finish Line Grants may be provided to students who are enrolled in one of North Carolina’s community colleges and meet the following criteria:
- Have an unforeseen financial hardship.
- Are in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA or a satisfactory grade in a credential program.
- Have completed (including current enrollment) 25% of credits toward an eligible degree or credential program.
Examples of Qualifying Emergencies:
- Rent
- Car repair
- Utility bill
- Medical expenses
- Internet Service
- Childcare/Dependent Care
- Tuition
- Books and Supplies
Note: Funds are not to be distributed directly to the student, but to the entity providing the service for the student. Past due bills/late fees are not to be approved. No reimbursements.
Are you interested in applying? Please complete The Finish Line Grant Pre-Application form.
The purpose of emergency assistance provided by the RCC Foundation is to aid students with unforeseen and uncontrollable (emergency) expenses that jeopardize completion of their education. Emergency disbursements are grants not loans; they are not expected to be paid back. Emergency assistance is not meant to sustain a student through completion of his/her program. Rather, the goal is to provide assistance that will help the student through the current emergency enabling him/her to remain enrolled at RCC.
Qualifications
- Continuously enrolled Curriculum, Continuing Education, or College & Career Readiness student who is attending and fully participating in classes; continuous enrollment is defined as: Curriculum students must be in their second semester without an interruption of one or more semesters, excluding summer, and must have completed at least 12 semester hours during this period of continuous enrollment to meet this requirement or Continuing Education and College & Career Readiness students must have completed 16 weeks of continuous enrollment to meet this requirement.
- GPA of at least 2.0 if Curriculum; satisfactory progress if Continuing Education or College & Career Readiness.
- Curriculum students must have a complete financial aid file for the current school year.
- Not on financial aid suspension.
- No outstanding debts to the college.
- No behavior infractions at RCC.
- Provide documentation of the unforeseen and uncontrollable emergency and financial need.
- In most cases, the emergency must have occurred during the current semester.
- NC residency is not a requirement but you must be eligible to work in the U.S.
Students should schedule an appointment with one of the following RCC employees should they wish to apply:
Cathy Esker - 336-633-0394
Rebekah Kingston - 336-633-0376
To learn more about other resources available to students like free tutoring, transportation voucher programs, and mental health services please visit the Office of Student Success as well as their Resources for Your Success webpage!