Tag Archives: financial aid

Discover Your Future This Spring – Register Today!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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.

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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.

Short Semesters Lead to Long-Term Success

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There’s still time to add classes for fall! Whether you prefer to take classes online, completely in-person, or a mixture of both, short session classes allow you to learn more in less time. Fast and effective short session courses are offered in a condensed schedule during the semester to better meet your needs.
You can quickly gain a new skill, earn credits for high-demand classes, and move onto the next step in your educational journey.
Advisors are available to create a roadmap of the classes you need to complete your degree or certificate in order to transfer or enter the workforce. Meet with an advisor today to get started.
  • 12-week short session and classes begin September 14.
  • 8-week short session classes begin October 14.
Need financial aid or scholarships?
You could be eligible to receive grants or emergency funding to help pay for classes. Let us review your FAFSA to determine if you qualify. Visit cpcc.edu/financial_aid to learn more.
Ready to register?
Log into MyCollege and click on “Student Planning,” then “Plan Your Degree and Register for Classes” to create your class schedule and register.

Purchasing Textbooks with Financial Aid

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With classes moved online, Central Piedmont Barnes & Noble bookstores has new virtual processes to support you. If you’ve been awarded financial aid for fall semester, you may be eligible to cover the cost of your textbooks with remaining funds.

Charge eligible book and supply purchases to your student account today! Orders purchased with financial aid will be shipped via UPS and charged to your student account beginning August 1. But don’t wait – its best to place your order early for faster delivery.

In order to purchase books using financial aid, students must be awarded in MyCollege and have all requested documents submitted. To confirm you’ve been awarded, please follow these steps:

  1. Log into MyCollege.
  2. Select ‘Financial Aid’ on the right side of the page.
  3. Click the dropdown titled ‘Select an Award Year.’
  4. Make sure the term says ‘2020/2021 Academic Year.’
  5. Click on “Go to Account Summary” to view current aid status.

If you do not have a financial aid award letter, please follow these steps in MyCollege:

  1. Check your Self-Service Checklist for missing or incomplete documents.
  2. Review the “Action Needed” section and complete any required actions.
  3. Please note: When documents are received by the Financial Aid department, the checklist items will show “Completed” status.

Due to COVID-19, Barnes & Noble may experience delivery delays from publishers which could impact delivery timeframes for certain orders. The bookstore will notify you directly if any textbooks are on backorder. You can also log into B&N accounts to view order status for deliveries.

We encourage you to buy your books now in order to receive them as early as possible!

It’s Not Too Late – Complete your FAFSA Today

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Get ready to complete your 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

  • The FAFSA for 2020-21 is available now.
  • The FAFSA for 2020-2021 will collect income information from the 2018 tax year.
  • It’s not too late to complete the FAFSA for the 2019-2020 school year. The FAFSA for 2019-2020 uses information from the 2017 tax year.

Join us as we kick off FAFSA Tuesday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s by hosting a FAFSA Workshop on all three days. FAFSA Workshops will continue through the month of June. Have a financial aid expert guide you through the process.

It is important to complete your FAFSA early as some funding is limited. Complete your FAFSA today.

Workshop Dates:

  • Friday – May 15                 10 am – 12:00 noon
  • Saturday- May 16              8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
  • Tuesday, May 19               10:00 am – 12:00 noon
  • Friday, May 22                   7:00 am – 9:00 am
  • Saturday, May 23              3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday, May 26               10:00 am – 12:00 noon
  • Friday, May 29                   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  • Saturday, May 30              10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Join us online via WebEx Meetings. Please download the app onto your smartphone from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The login instructions will be emailed to you once you have scheduled your appointment. Sign up for an appointment today.

Before coming to the FAFSA workshops, students and parents will need to obtain an FSA ID to sign the FAFSA electronically.

  1. Go to fsaid.ed.gov.
  2. Create your FSA ID (username and password).
  3. Provide personal information (make sure your social security number, date of birth and name match what’s on your government-issued social security card).
  4. Provide profile Information (confirm information you entered and provide additional information). Make sure your information is correct. Errors could result in a delay or problem receiving aid.
  5. Select/create challenge questions and answers.
  6. Review info and agree to terms.
  7. Verify your email address.

Here’s what to bring to your FAFSA Workshop:

  • Your Social Security Number
  • Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
  • Your 2018 federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to electronically transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
  • Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
  • Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
  • An FSA ID to sign electronically.

If you are a dependent student, your parent will also need to complete a portion of the FAFSA with the above information.

Additional Resources:

Summer Payment Deadline Extended to May 11

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The payment deadline for summer 2020 course registration has been extended through Monday May 11th. If you would like to apply for financial aid, you can still submit a FAFSA to see if you qualify. Over the next couple days a Central Piedmont representative will contact you to discuss your needs and assistance options.

It’s not too late.  If you have not  completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), now is the time to do so https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

If you need help or would like to talk to a financial aid representative, pleases telephone (704) 330-6942 or contact your financial aid representative listed on your MyCollege account.

It’s Not Too Late – Apply for FAFSA This Summer

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Did you know?  You can still apply for the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to attend summer courses.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the application that you must complete to determine your eligibility for federal, state, or institutional student aid, such as Pell grants and work-study opportunities. Complete the FAFSA even if you are not sure that you are eligible for aid. You could be eligible for more than you expect.

It is tough to predict exactly how much money your family will receive, but complete the FAFSA even if you are not sure your will get financial aid. If you wish to apply for Central Piedmont scholarships and many other scholarships, you will need to have completed the FAFSA. Additionally, if your family’s financial situation changes while you are in school, it will be easier to determine if you qualify for any resources if you have completed the FAFSA.

If you haven’t done so already, complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. If you need help, contact a Financial Aid Representative at (704) 330-6942 or visit us online.

Student Employee of the Year: Michael Padgett

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Each year, during the second week in April, colleges and universities across the country recognize the importance of the student work experience during National Student Employment Week. Student employment offers students career-enhancing opportunities, the ability to develop skills relevant to any career, and better preparation for the job market upon graduation.

At Central Piedmont our student employees perform invaluable services with enthusiasm, dedication, and initiative. Indeed, many departments depend on the contributions of this reliable workforce for their daily operations.

Congratulations to Michael Padgett on representing Central Piedmont as Student Employee of the Year for 2020.  Michael works in the Military Families and Veteran Services Department at the Levine Campus. His passion to help students succeed and strong work ethic led him to be selected for this award. Michael is a wonderful teammate to his co-workers and goes above and beyond for everyone. His dedication to helping others only comes second to the dedication he has to being there for his family.

On behalf of the Financial Aid Office and the Federal Work-Study Program, thank you to all our student employees for their hard work and contribution to Central Piedmont.

Stay on Track With Priority Registration

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With all the uncertainty around us, we’re still helping you stay on track to reach your educational goals. Don’t forget priority registration for the summer and fall terms will be April 17-24. Check your college email for your individual date and time.
Take this time now to prepare for priority registration so all you’ll have to do is check out on your priority registration date.
  1. Talk with an academic advisor to help plan your schedule. Find the Academic Advising department online to schedule a virtual appointment.
  2. Go to MyCollege.cpcc.edu and click on “Student Planning” to choose your schedule. Add your classes to your shopping cart.
  3. Check your college email account for your priority registration date/time.
  4. On your priority registration date/time, go to MyCollege – or use the Central Piedmont app  – to check out.
Summer 2020 classes are still set to start May 20. Our summer terms will take place as scheduled. The method of instructional delivery – in-person or online – will depend on the future severity of the pandemic. Our top priority is keeping you safe.
Fall 2020 classes are currently planned to start August 10.
If you need help paying, you could be eligible to receive grants or emergency funding to help pay for classes. Let us review your 2019–20 FAFSA to determine if you qualify. Visit the financial aid web page to learn more.

“Let’s Talk About Financial Aid” Workshops Now Available to Students

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Did you know the month of February is also Financial Aid Awareness Month?

There are plenty of overlooked financing options you can use to reduce the costs of your education. Attend a “Let’s Talk About Financial Aid” workshop on your campus to learn more.

There are several sessions available throughout February. Click here for details on available sessions near you!

5 Unexpected Ways to Save on College Costs

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At first glance, college can appear to be an unaffordable venture. The average cost of a four-year school in the Charlotte area is more than $22,000 for the first year alone (based on colleges accredited by SACS-COC).

While scholarships and financial aid are usually the first options that come to mind to help pay for college, there are a variety of options to help students attend college without fear of not being able to afford it.

Learn more about the 5 unexpected ways students can save thousands on their education.

Over 250 Scholarship Opportunities Available for Students

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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!

Complete the FAFSA by April 1

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The Office of Financial Aid makes every effort to help you and your family secure the funding you need to become a part of our Central Piedmont family. To be considered for the most aid, we strongly encourage our students and parents to complete the FAFSA and all requirements by April 1 of each year.  We have started processing financial aid for the 2019-20 academic year. Check your Financial Aid Self-Service.  If you need additional documentation, bring in your documentation now. The earlier you submit your documentation, the earlier you can be awarded.