Be a Student Ambassador

Student AmbassadorsAs a Central Piedmont Community College student, embrace the opportunity to become a leader and advocate for your peers by joining the Student Ambassador program. Not only will you develop essential skills and receive a generous scholarship, but you’ll also engage in activities that bolster your resume and expand your network. 

  • Develop Skills: Enhance leadership and communication abilities.
  • Earn a Scholarship: Receive up to $1,700 per semester.
  • Broaden Horizons: Network and participate in college and community events.
  • Make an Impact: Influence prospective and current students positively.

Eligibility includes a 3.0 GPA and completion of 18 credit hours, among other criteria. Commit to training, monthly meetings, and at least 60 hours of service per semester. 

Join one of the upcoming Student Ambassador Interest Sessions to learn more about this transformative role:

  • Wed., Feb. 21: 5 – 5:30 p.m. at Central Campus, Parr Center, Room 1000
  • Tues., Feb. 27: 9:30 – 10 a.m., Virtual Meeting (or join by phone +1 415-655-0001 Access code: 2423 753 8729)
  • Wed., Feb. 28: 2 – 2:30 p.m. at Central Campus, Parr Center, Room 0100

These sessions will guide you through the benefits and application process and connect you with current ambassadors.

Next NC Scholarship

Next NCThe Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at any community college or more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees to attend any public university in the state. The best part? It’s money that doesn’t have to be repaid.

It combines the federal Pell Grant with the state-funded financial aid program to form a simplified and predictable scholarship award that is easier to understand and makes education more affordable so a greater number of North Carolinians can pursue a degree.

It’s enough money to earn a tuition-free degree.
Qualifying students attending community college will receive at least $3,000. That means having their tuition and fees 100% covered at any of the 58 North Carolina community colleges. Those attending a public university in the state will get a minimum of $5,000, which pays for more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees at any of the 16 public universities in the state. The scholarship award can also go toward books, food, and housing.

Applying is simple.
Just submit the FAFSA form. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive the Next NC Scholarship. There are no additional forms to fill out. The Next NC Scholarship priority filing date* is June 1, 2024, for UNC System schools and August 15, 2024, for NC community colleges.

To receive the Next NC Scholarship, you must be:

  1. A North Carolina resident who is eligible for in-state tuition
  2. A high school graduate (high school equivalency completers are eligible)
  3. From a household with an annual Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less
  4. Enrolled in an eligible undergraduate curriculum program for the 2024-2025 academic year
  5. Taking at least 6 credit hours per semester (part-time students will receive a partial award)
  6. Meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of the school you plan to attend
  7. A student who has completed the 2024- 2025 FAFSA, with a resulting Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below 7,500 (once complete, the financial aid office at the college/university you plan to attend will determine and confirm eligibility)

Apply for the 23XI Racing Scholarship

About 23XI- pronounced twenty-three eleven- was founded by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. SPEED Institute provides educational opportunities as well as diversity recruiting and professional development in the motorsports field. Dr Pepper and 23XI racing will offer $5000 in tuition to 23 deserving students across the country to help them pursue their dreams.Stop by the Parr Center at Central Campus on Tuesday, April 11 from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. to meet with representatives from 23XI Racing, as they have teamed up with Dr Pepper to offer $5,000 in tuition to 23 deserving students across the country.

Qualifications:

  • Students interested in applying for the tuition program must be between 18 and 24 years old.
  • Students with diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Individuals meeting these qualifications can apply via a simple video submission process, sharing their story and explaining why they deserve a tuition award.  Application deadline: April 30, 2023

Dr Pepper and 23XI are committed to supporting diversity in racing and promoting economic empowerment through the Dr Pepper 23XI SPEED Institute Tuition Program. Created to amplify the efforts of the 23XI SPEED Institute (Scholarship, Professional Education, Executive Development), Dr Pepper will award 23 students each with $5,000 in tuition, and 23XI’s SPEED Institute may award two tuition recipients with exclusive internships.

Visit the 23XI SPEED Institute website for more information and to apply for the scholarship.

23XI Internship Information:

We provide paid internships ($15/her) on-site and virtual per semester in Finance/Accounting(summer), Marketing, PR, Engineering (summer), Social and Digital Media, and Partnership management for 10 weeks. Students attend a race, will complete a project, attend 1-hour sessions on Presentation 101, Networking/Building Relationships, Social Media and Finance 101.

Internship dates:

  • Summer 2023 – May 22 July 28
  • Fall 2023 – Sept 11 – Nov 17

 

Apply for the Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship

outside view of Harper IV, a large Central Piedmont building with a brick facade and many windows. The sun shines from behind the building.The Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance for students pursuing a two-year degree at Central Piedmont and currently enrolled full time. The scholarship is restricted to books and/or tuition assistance. This scholarship award is made possible through library fundraising projects.

  • One $500 scholarship is awarded in the fall and spring semester.
  • Scholarships are awarded for one academic semester and cannot be renewed or transferred to a different semester.
  • If awarded a scholarship, the funds will be deposited directly into your Central Piedmont account once enrollment qualification is verified.

Deadline to apply: Monday, April 10, 2023

Log into the Academic Works scholarship portal for more information and application.

STEM Scholars Academy scholarship established

Group of smiling men and women who were Scholarship presenters from Honeywell

STEM Scholars Academy Event & Check Presentation, September 6, 2022

Honeywell, a global leader in aerospace, building technologies, performance materials, and technologies, has made a $1-million gift commitment to Central Piedmont Community College to establish the Honeywell STEM Scholars Academy at the college. The gift was announced on Sept. 6 and will come to Central Piedmont in annual installments of $200,000 over the next five years.

The Honeywell STEM Scholars Academy will boost diversity among students enrolled in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) programs at the college who are pursuing a certification, degree, and careers in a high-demand STEM-related field. The college plans to involve 100 students in the academy, beginning in fall 2022, and seeks to engage 125 additional students each year, over the next four years.

As a Honeywell STEM Scholars Academy student, participants will have the opportunity to focus on one of three STEM academic pathways at Central Piedmont – engineering, health sciences, or information technology – and have access to a variety of Central Piedmont’s student support services, including tutoring, coaching, peer mentoring, career counseling, and more.

In addition to having the opportunity to take advantage of Central Piedmont’s many academic resources, academy students will receive STEM education and training opportunities through the Carolina Youth Coalition, a non-profit organization that prepares high-achieving, under-resourced students to enter, excel in, and graduate from college so they can become full participants in society. Continue reading

Apply today: scholarship competition from Watermark

Watermark (formerly known as Aviso) is holding a scholarship competition. This year, they are offering two $5,000 scholarships for the fall 2022 academic term to support community college students from the United States. Apply today!

Application and deadline:

Students will make a video response up to 2 minutes in length answering the following question: “What challenges have you overcome to be a successful student, and what are you inspired to do after earning your certificate or degree?”

The entry period is August 15 – 31, 2022. The first 1,000 submissions received during that time frame will be eligible for consideration. Other restrictions apply.

For more information about the competition, and to apply, visit the Watermark Scholars webpage.

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.

The Paul J. Koehnke Fine Arts Scholarship

CPCC Dance Theatre performers on stageAre you studying music, visual arts, dance, or 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, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. For more information or application related questions, please contact Nancy Taylor at 828-438-7105 or nwtaylor@cfburkecounty.org.`

 

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.

Student awarded Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification Scholarship

black and white headshot of Liiliane KengeLiliane Kouam Kengne, a pharmacy technology student at Central Piedmont, has been selected as one of only 30 students to receive Phi Theta Kappa’s Fall Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification Scholarship.

The Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification Scholarship recognizes students who are enrolled in allied health or pharmacy technician programs who intend to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

As this year’s recipient, Liliane will receive a $130 scholarship award to cover the cost of her exam fees.

To be eligible, students:

  • must be currently enrolled in allied health or pharmacy technician programs through December 2021
  • must be eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam in the semester following the award
  • should know financial need, demonstration of career goals, academic rigor and community service may be considered during the selection process

“Liliane is a perceptive, sharp, and quick individual who possesses a high aptitude for pharmacy-related material,” said Karen Garner, pharmacy technology program chair and instructor at Central Piedmont. “She is an excellent recipient for this scholarship. She’s always learning and growing as a learner, an impressive strength that will continue to serve her well in college and beyond.”

Learn more about Phi Theta Kappa’s Fall Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification Scholarship.

See details about Central Piedmont’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter or pharmacy technology program.

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.

Could You Use $500 for Books or Tuition?

The Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance for currently enrolled students pursuing a two-year degree at Central Piedmont Community College. The scholarship is restricted to books and/or tuition assistance.

This scholarship award is made possible through library fundraising projects.

  • Two $500 scholarships will be awarded in the fall and spring semester.
  • Completed applications and supporting documents must be received by November 13, 2020.
  • Incomplete and late packets will NOT be considered.

Learn more today!

Central Piedmont and Queens University Partner to Launch RoyalUp Program

Central Piedmont and Queen University announced the launch of its RoyalUp program – a new pathway to a bachelor’s degree that aims to expand college access to more students – on Friday.

Students who enroll in RoyalUp will take their first two years of classes at Central Piedmont and finish their bachelor’s degree at Queens. Students who maintain a 2.5 GPA or above are guaranteed admission as well as a $10,000 annual scholarship at Queens. This plan offers a new, cost-effective and direct pathway for Central Piedmont students who want to pursue a four-year degree.

Central Piedmont President Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer adds, This public-private partnership is unique and will be a great benefit to students in Mecklenburg County. We are excited to offer this option and pathway to our students who will thrive at Queens, where they will enjoy small class sizes, relationships with professors and a strong surrounding community. At the same time, this partnership is a great example of the higher-education community in Charlotte working together to build more avenues to greater economic mobility.”

Learn more at cpcc.edu/academics/transfer/queens-royalup.

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company Awards $1M Grant to Central Piedmont

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, through its charitable giving arm The Dowd Foundation, has awarded Central Piedmont Community College a $1-million grant to support plumbing and pipefitting scholarships and instruction at the college.

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, founded in 1901, has a deep and ongoing interest in strengthening Charlotte’s construction and infrastructure sectors. Charlotte Pipe, the nation’s leading manufacturer of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings for plumbing applications, has been working for more than a century to ensure the plumbing and pipefitting trades remain viable career paths for future generations.

“Charlotte Pipe and Foundry and The Dowd Foundation are proud to support the plumbing and pipefitting trades,” said Hooper Hardison, president of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry. “We know how essential these career paths can be for young people, as well as for our nation’s infrastructure. We are delighted we have resources like Central Piedmont in our region to provide an education pipeline for the construction trades.”

Central Piedmont will allocate Charlotte Pipe’s gift in the following ways to recognize the company’s important role in the region’s plumbing and pipefitting sectors:

  • Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company Scholarship Fund ($500,000)—This is a permanently endowed scholarship fund that will provide support for financially needy students enrolled in Central Piedmont plumbing and pipefitting courses.
  • Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company Instructional Fund ($500,000)—This fund will support instruction in plumbing and pipefitting at Central Piedmont, providing the resources needed to purchase equipment and materials, invest in faculty development and address instructional capacity.

“We are so grateful to Charlotte Pipe and The Dowd Foundation for this generous and impactful grant,” said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president. “The Charlotte region needs many more skilled tradespersons, such as plumbers and pipefitters. These are stable, sustainable, and well-paying careers. This grant will help the college recruit and educate more individuals, setting them on a path to career success and economic mobility.”

Learn more about Central Piedmont’s construction management technology program.

 

Free loaner laptops and technology available for summer classes

If you’re having trouble accessing technology, we want to do all we can to ensure you continue in your classes and achieve your academic goals this summer. A limited number of laptops and WiFi hotspots are available for loan — at no cost — to students in need. Students will be able to use these devices as long as they are enrolled in classes and until we are able to resume traditional, in-person classes. Please complete an application or email singlestop@cpcc.edu for more information.

Foundation For The Carolinas Offers More than 150 Scholarships for Students

With nearly 150 scholarship funds under its management, Foundation For The Carolinas helps deserving students pursue their educational goals. College tuition and fees continue to rise, making affordability a challenge for many families. Thanks to some pretty generous fundholders, there are scholarship opportunities available to provide support for students ranging from kindergarten to graduate school.

Early March is the deadline to submit most applications. Don’t wait — get started here!

Read the full article to learn how scholarships have changed the lives of other students.

Over 250 Scholarship Opportunities Available for Students

Making the transition to (or back to) college means students are facing the harsh reality that college is a serious financial undertaking. From helping alleviate the rising costs of college education to allowing students the ability to focus on studies and not expenses, scholarships play a huge role in a student’s ability to pursue and complete a degree program.

Central Piedmont Community College has over 250 scholarship opportunities available each year. Students can access a number of these opportunities by completing the General Scholarship Application on Academic Works for fall, spring and summer semesters.

The application cycle for the academic year 2020-2021 opens February 1, 2020 and closes November 30, 2020.

Here are some important deadlines to keep in mind:

  • Summer 2020 application deadline – April 30, 2020
  • Fall 2020 & spring 2021 priority application deadline – May 15, 2020
  • Fall 2020 & spring 2021 regular application deadline – July 30, 2020
  • Spring 2020 only application deadline – November 30, 2020

*Students who complete the application will automatically be considered for all auto-match scholarship opportunities. Certain opportunities may require supplemental information (i.e. transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, etc.).

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.

Learn more about scholarships and eligibility requirements today!

Learn More about the Peer Mentoring Scholarship

Are you interested in being a peer mentor? We have new PEER MENTORING SCHOLARSHIP that will offer up to $2,000 a semester.

You must have the following requirements:

  • Completed 12 credit hours
  • Must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Provide (1) reference letter
  • Attend Peer Mentor Training and dedicate at least 2 hours a week
  • Currently enrolled in at least 6 credit hours for the spring 2019 semester

Apply here. 

For additional questions, please contact the following: First Year Experience at ext. 6100 (visit CH 110) or  Office of Mentoring and Bridge at ext. 6656 (visit CH 120)