📚 Financial Aid Guide: Navigate Your Aid at Central Piedmont

Students on laptops and in the Parr Center lobbyCentral Piedmont students, stay informed and maximize your financial aid potential! Here’s a concise guide to understanding the financial aid process for the 2023-2024 award year:

  • Stay Updated: Review the terms and conditions of receiving financial aid to advocate effectively for yourself.
  • Eligibility & Awards: Understand the requirements and how awards are determined based on your need and cost of attendance.
  • Key Resources: Access details on student financial aid programs, how aid affects tuition charges, and managing unclaimed funds.
  • Protect Your Data: Keep copies of all financial aid documents and communications for your records.
  • Changes Ahead: Be aware of updates in the 2024-2025 FAFSA, which simplify the process and introduce the Student Aid Index (SAI) in place of EFC.

Accessing Your Award:

  • MyCollege Account: Log in to view your award, including any required documents for completing your financial aid package.

Making the Grade:

  • Academic Progress: To remain eligible for financial aid, maintain satisfactory academic progress, understanding the criteria and appeal processes if needed.

Be Informed: Your rights and responsibilities as a financial aid recipient are crucial for a seamless educational journey.

Next Steps: The FAFSA is changing, so be ready to adapt and ensure you’re prepared for the new procedures.

Stay proactive and well-informed about your financial aid with Central Piedmont to keep your academic goals on track.

For further details on navigating your financial aid, visit Central Piedmont Financial Aid Guide. Your education is an investment, and we’re here to help you make the most of every opportunity.

 

📅 Central Piedmont Opens Doors on Saturdays for Session Kickoffs

A student works on their laptop.Central Piedmont Community College is excited to announce special Saturday openings to better accommodate the needs of our students, faculty, and the broader community. Mark your calendar for these key dates, each strategically scheduled right before the start of new academic sessions.

Available Services:

  • Admissions
  • Registration assistance
  • Financial aid guidance
  • Academic advising

Key Dates:

  •  Spring Short Session:
    •  Begins: Mar. 11
    •  Campuses Open Sat., Mar. 9, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Summer Session:
    • Begins: May 20
    • Campuses Open Sat., May 18, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Fall 24 Session:
    • Begins: Aug. 12
    • Campuses Open Sat., Aug. 10, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Fall 24 12 Week Short Session:
    • Begins: Sept. 9
    • Campuses Open Sat., Sept. 7, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Fall 24 8 Week Short Session:
    • Begins: Oct. 14
    • Campuses Open Sat., Oct. 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Why Visit Us on Saturday?

  • Convenience: Access campus services without disrupting your weekday schedule.
  • Preparedness: Get everything set before your session starts.
  • Support: Our staff can answer any questions and help you navigate your academic journey.

Libraries:

  • Central Campus Library will remain open on Saturdays during the fall and spring semesters for current students and employees from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • All other campus libraries are closed on Saturdays.

Central Piedmont is committed to providing flexible options to support our students’ success. Whether you’re enrolling in a new session, need last-minute assistance, or have questions, we’re opening our doors extra wide to welcome you.

Your Success Starts Here: Take advantage of these special Saturday openings to ensure you’re fully prepared for the upcoming academic session.

See You on Campus!

FAFSA Nights: Unlock Your Financial Aid Potential

FAFSA Federal Student Aid logo📚 Finances shouldn’t be a barrier to your education. Central Piedmont is here to guide you through the FAFSA application maze with our FAFSA Nights.

  • What’s Happening: Hands-on workshops for the 2024-2025 FAFSA Application.
  • Get Help With: State residency, college application, and your Federal Student Aid ID.
  • Where & When:
  • Inclusivity: Spanish-speaking staff on-site.
  • RSVP Required: Registration is mandatory.

Take the First Step: Secure your financial future by registering for a session that fits your schedule.

Your opportunity to demystify the financial aid process and advance your academic ambitions awaits.

FAFSA Day: A Step Towards Your Future

Levine campus students

Central Piedmont Community College is excited to announce an invaluable opportunity for its students and their parents. We are hosting a special FAFSA Day, in collaboration with the College Foundation of North Carolina, designed to provide crucial assistance in securing your financial aid. Here’s what you need to know:

Event Overview

  • Date: Saturday, January 27, 2024
  • Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Location: Levine Campus, Levine Building 1, Room 2100

About the Event

  • This event is an excellent chance for one-on-one or small group support in completing your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
  • We welcome all Central Piedmont students and their parents to register for this free event.
  • Our expert team from the Financial Aid Department, in collaboration with the College Foundation of North Carolina, will be there to guide you through the process.

Preparation for the Event

  • If you still need to, please create your StudentAid.gov Account (formerly FSA ID) before the event. This will ensure a smooth and quick login process, allowing you to submit your FAFSA efficiently at the event.
  • We recommend using this handy cheat sheet to keep your account information organized. 

What to Bring for FAFSA Completion

  • Bringing the necessary items will expedite the completion of your FAFSA. Make sure to have all your required documents ready for the event.

Central Piedmont is committed to helping you navigate your educational journey. This FAFSA Day is a step towards ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder your academic aspirations. We look forward to seeing you there and assisting you in unlocking the doors to your future!

Use your financial aid money at the Campus Store

Checking out at the Levine Campus BookstoreDid you know that you can use your financial aid to buy supplies, books & access codes, and even bus passes at the Central Piedmont Campus Store? Check out the online store for even more shopping options. Orders over $50 ship free!

Dates to use available funds (prior to release for your refund):

  • August 7-31
  • September 15-29
  • October 2-31
  • November 16-30

Not all financial aid is available at the bookstore, read more about financial aid policies.

Campus Stores are located at Cato, Central and Levine Campuses. Smart Lockers are available at Harper, Harris and Merancas Campuses for delivery after online purchases.

Use your financial aid money at the Campus Store

Did you know that you can use your financial aid to buy supplies, books & access codes, and even bus passes at the Central Piedmont Campus Store?

Dates to use available funds (prior to release for your refund):
January 3-31
February 21-28
March 8-31
April 24-28

Not all financial aid is available at the bookstore, read more about financial aid policies.

Campus Stores are located at Cato, Central and Levine Campuses. Smart Lockers are available at Harper, Harris and Merancas Campuses for delivery after online purchases.

Need money for college? Central Piedmont can help!

Student being helped at a counter in Parr Center by an employee.

We offer financial aid help in person and online.

There still could be financial aid money available to you for the spring and summer 2023 semesters. Don’t miss out on that money – fill out the FAFSA!

It’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – Central Piedmont’s FAFSA code is 002915 – and it is your key to money for college. We’re here if you need help completing it or want to learn more about options for paying for college.

Central Piedmont offers free, virtual or in-person FAFSA workshops with group and individual appointments available.FAFSA Federal Student Aid logo

If you’re already set with financial aid for this current school year, get a head start on the 2023-2024 academic year. The earlier you complete and submit your FAFSA, the sooner you’ll get peace of mind knowing how much aid you can get.

Fill out the FAFSA or sign up for a workshop today – the earlier you submit your FAFSA documentation, the earlier you can be awarded. Need additional help? Contact 704.330.2722 or navigate@cpcc.edu.

Saturday hours for registration help

The fall semester starts in one week so if you need any final help with registering for class – or with any other enrollment steps – we’re open this Saturday to provide service! You can get in-person help this Saturday (Aug. 13) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at ANY Central Piedmont campus.

During this Saturday’s hours of service, navigators and advisors will be available to help with any of the enrollment and registration steps – including financial aid – at these locations:

Moving forward, we’ll have Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at our Central Campus in the new Parr Center at the Welcome Center on the ground floor level. That’s also where you can get assistance with student services during extended weekday hours, from 8 a.m until 7 p.m.

In-person FAFSA Friday workshops

FAFSA Federal Student Aid logo

Need financial aid help? In-person group workshops are ongoing on Fridays for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) assistance.

Available on Fridays from 2–4 p.m, on the following campuses:

  • Cato Campus: Cato I, Room 232
  • Harris Campus: Harris I, Room 2113
  • Levine Campus: Levine I, Room 2213
  • Merancas Campus: Merancas IV, Room 104

All sessions are held in-person and on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance registration is not required; walk-ins are welcomed.

Learn what to bring to your FAFSA workshop.
Need help, but can’t come in person? Virtual workshops are also available.

Your key to money for college is… the FAFSA! We can help you with it.

Central Piedmont students at Cato Campus.

Do you need money for college? There are millions of dollars in grants, work-study options (starting at $15 an hour!), and scholarships are waiting for you. Don’t leave that money on the table – fill out the FAFSA!

It’s the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – Central Piedmont’s FAFSA code is 002915 – and it is your key to money for college. We’re here if you need help completing it or want to learn more about options for paying for college.

Central Piedmont offers free, virtual FAFSA workshops with group and individual appointments available at cpcc.edu/events/fafsa-workshop.   

Fill out the FAFSA or sign up for the workshop today – the earlier you submit your FAFSA documentation, the earlier you can be awarded. Need additional help? Call 704.330.2722 or email navigate@cpcc.edu.

Explore Debt Free Options with Scholarships

There’s still time to apply and qualify for scholarships to help cover your education costs. Central Piedmont has over 250 scholarship opportunities available each year. Need-based and merit-based scholarships are awarded for a host of reasons – choice of major, community involvement, special interests, creative talents – and that’s just to name a few.
Regardless of your economic situation, take every opportunity to lessen the financial burden of college.Students can access a number of these opportunities by completing the General Scholarship Application on Academic Works for summer and fall.
Important Upcoming Deadlines:
  • The Summer 2022 application deadline is April 30, 2022.
  • The Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 priority application deadline is May 15, 2022.

Discover Your Future This Spring – Register Today!

Registration is now open for all new and returning students. High-demand sections are beginning to fill up – register now to save your spot this spring! The college continues to offer a variety of classes – in-person, online, and hybrid-  so you can find the right fit for your schedule.

Save your seat today! Here’s how:

  1. Plan your schedule online with a Central Piedmont advisor at cpcc.edu/academic-advising.
  2. Apply and pay your tuition with a scholarship, grant, or emergency funds at cpcc.edu/financial-aid.
  3. Download the Central Piedmont app to register and access services, your schedule, and financial aid award.
If you’re having trouble with registration or need assistance, call 704.330.6100, or email fye@cpcc.edu.

Has your income changed since 2019? Complete a Financial Aid Reconsideration Form

tutoring session with student and teacher reviewing book materialEconomic hardship is a reality for many families at this time. Central Piedmont recognizes special circumstances may impact your eligibility for federal financial aid. Did you know the 2021–22 FAFSA uses income information from 2019? Many things have changed in the last two years, and we want to help qualify all eligible students for financial aid. If you or your parent(s) income has drastically changed for 2021, please complete and submit the 2021–22 financial aid reconsideration form. 

The Financial Aid office will review your information and let you know if you are eligible for additional financial aid.

  • If a student would like to request consideration of special circumstances, please submit a Reconsideration Request (Professional Judgment).

Questions? Visit Financial Aid online to learn more.

New FAFSA Rules Make Applying Easier

Good news for students: applying for financial aid just got a little easier! To provide relief to millions of students facing challenges this year, the Department of Education is waiving verification of the 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are no longer required to verify household size or federal tax filing information. This means when you apply for your FAFSA – the one form that makes you eligible for almost every scholarship and financial aid opportunity – you and your parents will not have to submit tax documents and other forms of verification that could slow down the process.

If you have already submitted your FAFSA, please check your Central Piedmont email to see if you’ve been awarded financial aid.

Some students may still have additional documentation required.  If you have questions, please check with the Financial Aid Office or MyCollege to get the most recent status update on your FAFSA.

Are You Studying Music, Visual Arts, Dance, or Theatre? Your Scholarship Opportunity Awaits

Central Piedmont's Dance Theatre

The Paul J. Koehnke Fine Arts Scholarship honors Dr. Paul J. Koehnke, former dean at Central Piedmont Community College. This $1,000 scholarship honors Koehnke for his 31 years of service to students, faculty, and staff in higher education administration.

The scholarship is open to any Northwest School of the Arts graduating senior or current Central Piedmont Community College student studying music, visual arts, dance, or theater, and specifically those pursuing an Associate in Fine Arts. Don’t wait — submit your application today!  

The application deadline is March 1, 2021. For more information, contact Ashley Sherrill or Stacy Moore.

Gratitude Endowment Scholarship Available for Non-traditional Students

line of students in graduation gownsThe purpose of the Gratitude Endowment Scholarship Fund of Central Piedmont Community College  is to provide scholarships for students age 25 or older entering or re-entering college studies or students with a physical disability at Central Piedmont Community College.

Gratitude Endowment Scholarship applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a ‘nontraditional” student age 25 or older attending Central Piedmont Community College
  • Be a legal resident of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
  • Must have a 3.0 minimum GPA

Scholarships awards range up to $3,000 annually at the discretion of the scholarship committee.

Visit the Foundation of the Carolinas website for more information and to apply.

Don’t wait! The application Deadline is March 5, 2021.

Need Financial Aid? Speak to Your Dedicated Counselor

financial aid counselorEvery student has an assigned Financial Aid Specialist. While you are not obligated to interact only with your assigned specialist, your specialist will usually know your file best, and when you always contact the same specialist, this only becomes even more true.

To find your assigned Financial Aid Specialist:

  • Log into MyCollege and select Financial Aid.
  • Your Central Piedmont Financial Aid Specialist’s name, phone number, and direct link to their email is displayed in the “Financial Aid Counselor” section.
  • When communicating with Financial Aid via email, always use your Central Piedmont student email.Using your Central Piedmont email account protects your personal information and allows us to serve you better.

Did you know we also offer virtual one-on-one or group FASFA Workshops to provide you direct support? Learn more about upcoming sessions you can join today!

Don’t Miss Out on Available Grant Funds – Apply Today

female student. with black face mask on sitting at outside tableGrants are a great way to help reduce some of the financial barriers that may be preventing you from pursuing your educational goals. Unlike loans, grants typically don’t require repayment. Take advantage of financial support available to help you this semester.

The Finish Line Grant is designed to assist you in addressing financial situations that would prevent you from continuing or completing your program of study or credential. If you are facing a financial hardship, you may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 to cover eligible expenses per semester. This is not a monetary award — funds will be paid to the vendor directly to cover your expense. If eligible, you can receive the grant a maximum of two semesters.

 Application Steps:

To apply for the Finish Line Grant, log in to MyCollege, select “Student Services,” then “Online Forms.”

Here is the information to apply for our student emergency grants/ student relief grant:

Eligible students are allowed to apply for The Student Relief Grant (CARES Act) funds through their my college account. The grant is for students with expenses that can be related to COVID (ex: loss of income, can’t pay bills, need technology for class, tuition, etc.). Students can upload their expenses (take a picture and attach it to the application) and the team will make a determination on how much to award you. This is a direct cash payment to you. Funds through this grant are dispersed to your Bank Mobile account.

To apply:

*   Go to your My College account
*   Click on Student Services
*   Click on Online Forms
*   On the bottom right hand side click on Central Piedmont Student Relief Grant

Learn more about eligibility requirements before you apply.

How Do I Find My Financial Aid Counselor?

counselor sitting alongside student while looking together at a computer screenEvery student has an assigned Financial Aid Specialist. While you are not obligated to interact only with your assigned specialist, your specialist will usually know your file best, and when you always contact the same specialist, this only becomes even more true.

In MyCollege, your assigned Central Piedmont Financial Aid Specialist is displayed on the bottom of the page when you first log in to Financial Aid Self-Service under “Financial Aid Counselor”:

financial aid counselor screenshot in MyCollege

Next to your specialist’s name will be his or her phone number and extension as well a  direct link to his or her email.

When communicating with Financial Aid via email, you must always use your Central Piedmont student email. Central Piedmont Financial Aid will not send updates and messages to non-Central Piedmont email addresses and will not be able to fully respond to emails sent from personal email accounts.

Using your Central Piedmont email account protects your personal information and allows us to serve you better.

Register now for spring 2021 — Keep going! We can help.

Take core classes or required courses for your major — whatever you need — please let us help you stay on track with your goals this spring. teaching instructing in front of whiteboard while students are sitting in class using laptops

Central Piedmont is currently (and safely) offering courses in multiple formats — online, hybrid, blended, and in-person. (Hybrid and blended courses include both online and some face-to-face instruction.) Central Piedmont continues to follow the state’s in-person guidelines that apply to higher education.

Career and academic support services are available online to help you reach your goals. There are also scholarship funds available to help you complete your program.

Don’t wait any longer – register today to build the schedule you want. The college will be closed Dec. 24 — Jan. 1 for the winter holiday — online registration will still be available — so let us help you now. Here’s how:

  1. Check in with a Central Piedmont advisor to plan your schedule online.
  2. Talk to a financial aid counselor to apply for and pay your tuition with a scholarship, a grant, or emergency funds.
  3. Download the Central Piedmont app to register and access services, your schedule, and financial aid.

Classes begin Jan. 11 —  visit the registration page for more information.