Financial Aid Programs

Financial assistance at Sandhills Community College is available for degree-seeking students in qualified programs through grants, scholarships, alternative (not federal) loans, and work-study employment.
  • Grants & Scholarships are monies that do NOT have to be paid back.
  • Work-study programs require employment in order to be paid.
  • Loans are monies that will have to be repaid; repayment begins 6 months after graduation from a program or if a student drops below 6 credit hours.

Financial aid funds are limited, and funding can depend on early application. Below, more information is provided about each option, including basic eligibility requirements, range of award amounts, and the application necessary for processing. All options require applicants to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

A student may be offered a single type of assistance or a combination package depending on the level of need and eligibility requirements. Aid may be provided by or through the college, federal and state agencies, or outside organizations.

For questions regarding financial aid programs, contact the Financial Aid Office at (910) 695-3743.

The Federal Pell Grant is for US citizens or eligible non-citizens who:

  • Are enrolled in an eligible program

  • Demonstrate financial need

  • Are making Satisfactory Academic Progress

  • Meet eligibility requirements

Application method: FAFSA
Award amount: Is based on eligibility.
Students are awarded for the fall, spring, and summer terms of each academic year.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for US citizens or eligible non-citizens who:

  • Are enrolled in an eligible program
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Are making Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Meet eligibility requirements

Application method: FAFSA
Award amount: Up to $800 per year

Finish Line Grants are grants of up to $1,000 awarded to community college students who are at least 25% complete with their education or training and are faced with an unanticipated financial hardship that may prevent them from doing so. Too often, financial emergencies – like unexpected healthcare costs, childcare expenses, or car breakdowns – prevent students from completing their programs. Finish Line Grants are awarded to eligible students facing these unforeseen challenges. Grants can be used for course materials, housing, medical needs, dependent care, or other financial hardships that students face through no fault of their own.

Who is eligible for Finish Line Grants?

To be eligible for a Finish Line Grant, a student must:

  • Be enrolled in a North Carolina community college in a curriculum program or an eligible workforce continuing education course leading to an industry-recognized credential;
  • Be in good academic standing as defined by the community college. Threshold may not be higher than a 2.0 grade point average; and
  • Have completed at least 25% of the degree of credential program (or be enrolled in the courses that will constitute 25% completion).

To apply, please complete the Finish Line Grant Application.

SCC works with Moore County Transportation to assist students in need of transportation get to and from class.  Limited funds are available each year

To get started:

  1. Contact our office to verify funds are available for transportation assistance.
  2. If funds are available, contact Moore County Transportation. They will have the documents you need to complete.
  3. Our office will disburse tokens each week once paperwork is complete.

Contact Information

Cynthia Thomas
Financial Aid Advisor
221B Stone Hall
(910) 695-3844

The NC Scholarship works with federal aid to provide a guaranteed amount of financial assistance with additional state funding provided to students with exceptional need. This scholarship is for North Carolina Residents who:

  • Are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours
  • Be admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in matriculated status in a degree, certificate or diploma program at one of the 16 institutions of The University of North Carolina or at a North Carolina Community College
  • Are making Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Meet eligibility requirements as deemed by the State of North Carolina

Application method: FAFSA
Deadline: Until funding is exhausted
Award amount: Determined by the state of North Carolina

NCNBG is only available for fall and spring semesters and is not funded for summer terms.

The North Carolina Longleaf Commitment Grant is for North Carolina residents who:

  • Are a 2020-2021 school year North Carolina high school graduate enrolled in the 2021-2022 academic year or
  • Are a 2021-2022 school year North Carolina high school graduate enrolled in the 2022-2023 academic year
  • Are a 2022-2023 school year North Carolina high school graduate enrolled in the 2023-2024 academic year
  • Are enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours or more) in an eligible program
  • Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Are making Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Meet eligibility requirements

Application method: FAFSA
Deadline: No deadline
Award amount: $700 to $2,800 for full-time enrollment

The Federal College Work-Study (FWS) Campus Based Program provides jobs for students who need additional financial aid while providing an opportunity to gain valuable work experience.

Federal Work-Study Basics

  • Pays an hourly wage from an annual award amount, maximum of 15 hours/week.
  • You are paid directly on a monthly basis.
  • Can be on-campus ($15.00/hour).

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be a high school graduate.
  • Have a completed FAFSA for the current academic year.
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
  • Be initially enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in a program of study that is eligible for financial aid.
  • Have “unmet” financial aid need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

To Apply:

  1. View the current list of Work-Study Job Descriptions.
  2. Complete the Work-Study Application for the position(s) you are interested in.
  3. Once your application is received, you will be contacted by email regarding your eligibility and given additional information.
  4. If selected for an interview, the supervisor for the FWS position(s) you applied for will contact you via phone or email, using the contact information you provided on the application. 

While you may apply for more than one work-study position, you can only be hired for ONE of those positions.

**Please note: Submitting an FWS application does not guarantee to hire for a Federal Work-Study position. Placement into a position is contingent on job availability, the student’s qualifications, selection by a supervisor, and program funding.**

Contact Information

Sarah Barber
Financial Aid Advisor
221A Stone Hall
(910) 695-3952
barbers@sandhills.edu

A limited number of jobs are available for Institutional Work-Study. Usually those students who do not qualify for Federal Work Study fill these positions.

Institutional Work-Study Basics

  • Pays an hourly wage from an annual award amount, maximum of 15 hours/week.
  • You are paid directly on a monthly basis.
  • Can be on-campus ($15.00/hour).

To be eligible, you must:

  • Have a completed FAFSA for the current academic year.
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
  • Be initially enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in a program of study that is eligible for financial aid.
  • Have “unmet” financial aid need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

To Apply:

  1. View the current list of Work-Study Job Descriptions.
  2. Complete the Work-Study Application for the position(s) you are interested in.
  3. Once your application is received, you will be contacted by email regarding your eligibility and given additional information.
  4. If selected for an interview, the supervisor for the FWS position(s) you applied for will contact you via phone or email, using the contact information you provided on the application. 

While you may apply for more than one work-study position, you can only be hired for ONE of those positions.

**Please note: Submitting an IWS application does not guarantee to hire for a Institutional Work-Study position. Placement into a position is contingent on job availability, the student’s qualifications, selection by a supervisor, and program funding.**

Contact Information

Sarah Barber
Financial Aid Advisor
221A Stone Hall
(910) 695-3952
barbers@sandhills.edu

Child Care subsidies are available to a limited number of students. Students may apply for the grant to help cover the cost of a daycare or aftercare of their choice, with certain limitations.

Listed below are the requirements for the grant:

  1. Must be a North Carolina resident.
  2. Moore County residents must apply with the Moore County Department of Social Services (DSS) before applying for childcare assistance with the college. Applicants must bring paperwork from DSS confirming their application status.
  3. Non-Moore County residents must apply with the DSS Office in the county in which they live. Applicants must bring paperwork from DSS confirming their application status.
  4. Applicant must be enrolled in one of the following:

    • at least 6 credit hours within program of study.
    • enrolled in a Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) course offering at least 96 contact hours and leading to a state or industry-recognized credential.
    • a College & Career Readiness (CCR) course attending class a minimum of 6 hours per week.
  5. A history of Satisfactory Academic Progress (2.0 GPA & 67% completion rate) is required and must be maintained to continue receiving childcare assistance.
  6. Up to two children per household can be covered with the budget. This is subject to change due to budget changes.
  7. Children in daycare must be ages 0-5 and children in aftercare programs must be ages 5-12.

Application Process

To apply for the grant, students must complete the Child Care Application, by logging into Etrieve using their SCC username and password, and attach all other required documents. Applications are received on a continuous basis during the school year, and a waiting list is maintained when needed.  Students must reapply each academic year.          

In addition to the application, students are also required to submit the following items:

  1. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for upcoming academic year/Statement of financial need.

  2. Birth Certificates for children listed on application.

  3. DSS Waitlist/Approval/Denial letter from their county of residence.

  4. If you already have a daycare/aftercare selected, please provide the name, address, phone number, name of director, and tax ID#, weekly charge, etc.

Approval Process

Student applications are reviewed continuously throughout the year.  Students with the most need will be awarded first.  Need will be based on the FAFSA.  Once all funds are exhausted, the remaining applications will be moved to the waiting list. Funding for the year determines the number of students who will be approved for the academic year. 

Approval is also based on the student’s choice of daycare.  Once approved, the Coordinator contacts the student via telephone, email, or personal contact.

Contact Information

Cynthia Thomas
Financial Aid Advisor
221B Stone Hall
(910) 695-3844
thomascy@sandhills.edu

Upcoming Deadlines:

Spring 2024: November 30, 2023

Summer 2024: May 2, 2024

All loan documentation must be completed and submitted to the Financial Aid Office by this date in order for the loan certification to be processed by the last day to pay. Loan requests received after this date will be processed after the beginning of the semester.

Sandhills Community College (SCC) does not participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program.

  • SCC will certify alternative or private student loans but does not endorse the use of any particular private loan program.

  • Students are strongly encouraged to thoroughly seek ways to fund their education through sources other than loans.

  • If you are considering an alternative or private student loan, closely review the available programs and select the program that best meets your needs.

Links to Explore

Exit Counseling for FFEL Students

Sandhills Community College does not participate in the Federal Direct Loan Program; however, for students with outstanding Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) originated at SCC, exit counseling continues to be maintained through the Financial Aid Office.

The following links provide Exit Counseling info:

Contact Information

Cynthia Thomas
Financial Aid Advisor
221B Stone Hall
(910) 695-3844
thomascy@sandhills.edu