Scholarships

In an effort to reduce the financial barriers to education, the Continuing Education Department of Central Carolina Community College offers several scholarship programs to help students who enroll in short-term occupational training programs.

Students interested in applying for these grants and scholarships must complete the following process:

  1. Complete the Continuing Education Online Scholarship Inquiry. We can provide information to many outlets within our community, so it is important to begin by filling out this inquiry.
  2. View current scholarships, grants, and available programs and services that may help you with your educational goals.
  3. The Continuing Education Team will email you the applications for the scholarships you are most eligible for. (NOTE: Filling out these applications does not guarantee that you will be awarded).
  4. Fill out and sign all applications and forms associated with the scholarships or grants you are applying for. Fill out and sign the Photograph and Public Release (if applicable)
  5. Return All required application and forms to conedscholarships@cccc.edu
  6. If you haven't already, visit our website to find and register for the next applicable course that suits your schedule. Spaces are limited in some courses.

If you are selected for any of these awards, an award letter will be sent to the email address on your student account. We recommend you keep a copy of this letter for your records.

It is important you verify all information is correct and updated on your school account. If you see any discrepancies, contact the CCCC staff nearest you to get this updated.

Awardees: Please allow time for your scholarship to be posted to your account, as the college works diligently on processing each scholarship according to their procedures. Once complete, any remaining balance will be mailed to your address on file. Please note that if you have not started your class or if you still need to enroll, the funds will not begin to process until after the class has been in session and attendance has been properly verified.

Note: Applicants bear full responsibility for completing the above application process prior to any applicable deadlines.

Continuing Education Scholarship Inquiry
(opens in a new window)

Available Scholarships, Grants, and Other Programs

State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) Scholarship

To be considered for this scholarship program you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, a North Carolina resident and present a Social Security card and a valid North Carolina driver’s license or ID.
  • Be in one of the following target groups:
    • Unemployment insurance claimant
    • Unemployed or "underemployed" adult
    • Military veteran or spouse
    • Member of the North Carolina National Guard
  • Completed a short-term training program of 96 hours or more that leads to a state-regulated or industry-recognized credential that is offered through Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education Program.
  • Not be an employee or family member of an employee of the State Employees’ Credit Union or SECU Foundation.

If chosen as a recipient, you must consent to the release of your name and image for use in promotional publications written and distributed by the North Carolina Community College System Office, Central Carolina Community College and/or the State Employees’ Credit Union and its Foundation.

Short-term Workforce Development (STWD) Grant

The Short-term Workforce Development (STWD) grant is the first state-funded financial aid program for eligible Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) students pursuing high-demand, family-sustaining wage credentials through North Carolina Community College.

Please read the eligibility information below before applying for the grant. In order to be approved for this grant you must:

  • Be a North Carolina resident.
    • You will need to have a Residency Certification Number (RCN) to verify NC residency. The RCN number will be requested on the grant application.
    • Visit the NC Residency Determination Service (RDS) website to complete the application to retrieve your Residency Certification Number that is unique to you.
    • If you have an existing College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) account or already have an RCN, please use your current account information to sign in. Do not create a new account.
  • In addition, applicants must be enrolled at Central Carolina Community College or are planning to enroll in an eligible program or course leading to a credential.
Pittsboro Area Health Initiative (PAHI) Scholarship

The PAHI Scholarship grant is funded by the Pittsboro Area Health Initiatives through the CCCC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. PAHI was founded in order to provide grants and scholarships to benefit the health of the residents of Chatham County.

Please read the eligibility information below before applying for the grant:

  • Be a Chatham County resident.
  • Have not received this award over the current calendar year
  • Write and submit a detailed personal essay of why you would like to receive this scholarship and how it would help you.
The Golden Leaf Two-Year Scholars Program

The Golden LEAF Scholars Program for Two-Year Colleges will provide grants for workforce continuing education students. The scholarships help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, transportation, childcare and other components of the total cost of attendance for 2022-2023 fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Eligible students must:

  • Be a North Carolina resident
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Reside in a rural county that is tobacco dependent, or economically distressed, as determined by the Golden LEAF Foundation (please see Qualifying Counties 2022-2023).
    • A scholarship recipient who resides in an eligible county upon initial award will retain eligibility and will be eligible for renewal awards as long as the student’s place of residence is within the state of North Carolina.
  • Selected students will be required to disclose all financial aid awards (if any) as dictated by college financial aid offices for award packaging. Golden LEAF Scholarships will not displace federal grants, e.g. Pell grants, for which the student may be eligible (may displace loan funds).
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): Help better serve those who are needing help with education, jobs and everything in between.

While some of these may not be able to help students directly with tuition reimbursement or books, they can help with many other things including:

  • Jobs
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Reimbursement for uniforms/shoes
  • Possibly other assistance, if you qualify

When students choose to enter the program, they would be assigned to a case worker who will be able to help you further.

CCCC: NC Works Locations
  • NCWorks Harnett County Career Affiliate-Dunn:
    214 W Edgerton St, Dunn, NC 28334
    Business Services Coordinator (919) 775-2241
  • NCWorks Career Center in Harnett County- Harnett County Workforce Center
    900 South 9th Street, Lillington, NC 27546, USA
    Business Services Coordinator (910) 814-4042
  • NC Works Career Center in Chatham County:
    764 West St, Pittsboro, NC 27312, USA
    Business Services Coordinator (919) 545-8054
  • NCWorks Career Center in Lee County:
    1909 Lee Ave, Sanford, NC 27330
    Business Services Coordinator (919) 775-2241
The Finish Line Grant

The Finish Line Grant program aims to help students complete their training when facing unforeseen challenges. Finish Line Grants can be used for course materials, housing, medical needs, dependent care or other financial emergencies that students face through no fault of their own.

Eligibility Requirements For a Student To Receive a Finish Line Grant

  • Have a good academic standing (GPA 2.0 or better)
  • Have completed (or currently be enrolled in) at least 50% of a program's credit hours toward a certificate, diploma, or degree
  • 18 years or older
  • U.S. Citizen or authorized to work in the U.S.
  • The maximum total amount of grant funds allowed per student is $1,000 per program year (July 1- June 30)
  • Financial emergency or unforeseen challenge with supporting documentation

Grant Funds Can Be Used For The Following Types Of Needs (Plus Others)

  • TRANSPORTATION: assistance may be provided to assist the student to get to the community college
  • TUITION AND FEES: assistance may be provided for students who have encountered financial hardship that has negatively impacted the student's ability to pay for tuition and fees
  • HOUSING: assistance may be provided to students to maintain or obtain adequate or temporary shelter while participating in educational activities.
  • UTILITY BILL: financial emergencies that prevent the payment of a utility bill (water, gas, and electric)
Central Carolina Food and Nutrition Services, Employment & Training Program

The Food and Nutrition Services Employment & Training (FNS E&T) program is a partnership between Central Carolina Community College and Chatham County DHHS. They assist active FNS/SNAP participants in Chatham County reach their continuing goals in education and employment.

  • Help create a plan for educational goals
  • Financial Assistance for Curriculum and Occupational courses, books, materials, uniforms and some tests.
  • Assistance with the admissions and enrollment process
  • Assistance with job preparatory skills: resumes, interview skills etc...
  • Assistance with completing SNAP application
  • Other supportive service referrals

Contact: Lincoln Frye, Coordinator of Workforce Access Programs - lfrye914@cccc.edu

Deferred Payment Plan Options (via NELNET)

Deferred Payment Plan Options (via NELNET) - For many students, loans are not an option when planning for school.

The deferred payment plan is not a loan program or financial aid. With a $30 per semester NELNET Enrollment service fee, students can opt to enroll into a payment plan free of interest, finance charges and credit checks.

Registering and paying for school is easy! Funds can be used for tuition, fees, and books using Automatic Bank Payment (ACH), in conjunction with your financial institution.

Enrollment is done completely online. To enroll you must have a checking account, credit card/debit card or savings account (for ACH), an email address and your student ID number.