Federal and State Financial Assistance

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. (In some cases, however, a student enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program might receive a Pell Grant.) Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added.

The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2025–26 award year (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026) is $7,395. The maximum amount can change each award year and depends on program funding. The amount a student may receive, though, will depend not only on their financial need, but also on their costs to attend school, their status as a full-time or part-time student, and their plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

Application: FAFSA

Deadline: No deadline; however, it is recommended that you have the FAFSA submitted at least three weeks prior to the date you intend to enroll.

NOTE:  While Section 484(t) of the HEA, as amended by the Act, establishes Pell Grant eligibility for confined or incarcerated students if they are enrolled in an prison education program as of July 1, 2023, RCC currently does not participate in an approved prison education program.  If you seeking information about aid opportunities for incarcerated students, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants provide money to college or career school students to help pay their education expenses. However, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants have special eligibility criteria.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first for a FSEOG. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid.  Each participating school receives a certain amount of FSEOG funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid. Once the full amount of the school’s FSEOG funds has been awarded to students, no more FSEOG awards can be made for that year. This system works differently from the Federal Pell Grant program, which provides funds to every eligible student.

You can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, and your financial need.  Availability may be subject to the funding level available at the time you are offered financial assistance.

Application: FAFSA

Deadline: No deadline; however, it is recommended that you have the FAFSA submitted at least three weeks prior to the date you intend to enroll. 

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program is federally funded by The United States Department of Education to provide need-based employment for college students. FWS allows students to work part-time while attending an institution of higher learning. Students must have financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If you are interested in applying for the Work-Study program at RCC, please visit our Federal Work Study page.

Availability may be subject to the funding level available at the time you are offered financial assistance.

Application: FAFSA

Deadline: No deadline; however, it is recommended that you have the FAFSA submitted at least three weeks prior to the date you intend to enroll. 

The Next NC Scholarship (NCNBG) 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.

Students enrolling at a North Carolina Community College 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.

Application: FAFSA

Deadline: No deadline; however, there is a priority deadline of August 15 to ensure fund availability

Award Note: Consideration for funding is automatic once the FAFSA is filed. Eligible students will be notified of grant awards by the college Financial Aid Office.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an undergraduate students
• Be a North Carolina resident according to the NC Residency Determination Service 
• Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at a North Carolina Community college
• Demonstrate eligibility based on Student Aid Index (SAI) of 7,500 or less and an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) less than $80,000
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements of the college 

Consideration for funding is automatic once the FAFSA is filed. The FAFSA filing priority date is June 1 for UNC Institutions and August 15 for North Carolina Community Colleges. Applicants completing the FAFSA after these dates may be denied if insufficient funds are available.  

Application: FAFSA

Deadline: No deadline

Award Note: Consideration for funding is automatic once the FAFSA is filed. Eligible students will be notified of grant awards by the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs.

Eligibility Requirements for 2023 Graduates:

• Be a 2023 NC high school graduate 
• Be a North Carolina resident according to the NC Residency Determination Service 
• Be a first-time college student (Career & College Promise (CCP) and Early/Middle College High School students are eligible 
• Enroll in a curriculum program during the Fall 2023 semester 
• Enroll in at least 6 credit hours per semester 
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2023-24 and subsequent years 
• Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from $0 - $15,000. (“EFC” is based upon student’s FAFSA determination) 
• Renew FAFSA for the 2024-25 academic year and meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements of the college