Financial Aid: Resources

For more information contact:

Rex Bissette
Director of Financial Aid & Veterans Affairs
rbissette@wilsoncc.edu
(252) 246-1274

Lisa Shearin
Financial Aid Officer
lshearin@wilsoncc.edu
(252) 246-1310

Shannon Wiseman
Financial Aid Assistant
swiseman@wilsoncc.edu
(252) 246-1344

Resources

 

The primary aim of the financial aid program is to provide assistance to any student who, without aid, would be unable to continue his/her education. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of FINANCIAL NEED as determined by The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a national need-analysis system. Plan ahead, as it takes 4-6 weeks to process this application. Students interested in electronic transfer must have all necessary documents and schedule an appointment. A new application must be submitted each year. Students/applicants can access the free application for federal student aid on the college link (FAFSA) to complete an online version of the forms. This typically reduces the turn-around time to 3 - 10 days.

A variety of financial aid is available, including loans, which must be repaid, grants and scholarships, which do not have to be repaid, and work-study, which involves students working on campus. Veteran's benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation, JTPA, Department of Labor and other forms of aid are also available.

Links to additional Financial Aid information:

 

return to the top

Scholarships

Several scholarships, many of which are funded by the state, area organizations, firms, and individuals, are available. These are gifts to qualified students to be used for educational expenses. In most cases, the Financial Aid and Awards Committee, which includes Wilson Community College faculty and staff, selects scholarship recipients based on the established criteria. Depending upon the scholarship, the eligibility criteria may include financial need, program of study, high school attended, grade point average, etc. The Financial Aid Office administers these funds according to scholarship guidelines. Both full-and part-time students are eligible for these unless otherwise stated. It is possible for an individual student to receive more than one scholarship.

Loans

A number of loans are available, some of which are need based, some of which are not. Repayment of some loans begins immediately; other repayments begin after a student completes her/his educational program or is no longer enrolled. Wilson Community College does not participate in the Stafford or PLUS loan programs. The College does, however, certify Career Training Loan applications, available at salliemae.com

Emergency Student Loans

A limited loan fund is available for emergency loans of up to $150 for a maximum of 30 days without interest. These loans may be made to students who have a need for funds for unusual circumstances. The loans are intended for unexpected situations and are not made for regular expenses such as rent, utilities, insurance, etc. The Financial Aid Office administers the loan fund and will require an explanation of the nature of the emergency. Documentation concerning the emergency may also be required. Loans may also be made for the purchase of books but not for tuition. A new loan cannot be made unless all outstanding loans are paid in full. There is a $5 processing fee, regardless of principal amount borrowed. The full amount of the loan, plus the $5 processing fee, is to be repaid within 30 days. Loans are subject to loan availability.

North Carolina College Loan Program

Wilson Community College elected to participate in this program initiated by the 1999 North Carolina General Assembly. The College has earmarked the funds to be used exclusively for half-tuition loans during registration. Access to the funds is open both to full-time and part-time students. There is a $5 processing fee regardless of principal amount borrowed. The full amount of the loan, plus the $5 processing fee, is to be repaid by the Friday immediately preceding the first day of early registration for the next semester.

Nurse Scholars Program (NSP)/Nurse Education Scholarship Loan (NESLP)

Information on the Nurse Scholars Program and Nurse Education Scholarship Loan Program is available in the Financial Aid Office or with the Associate Dean of Allied Health/Science. Recipients are usually selected by mid-October for the NESLP program. Interested nursing students must complete the free federal form. Contact the Associate Dean of Allied Health/Science for information regarding the NSP application and deadlines.

Grants

Federal Pell Grants range from $400 - $4,310* for each school year as determined by Congress and generally do no have to be repaid. However, students who withdraw from all coursework prior to the 60 percent point of the term will typically owe a pro-rata refund of Title IV (Pell) aid to the Department of Education. Failure to repay an overpayment results in a loss of Title IV aid eligibility. (*Pell range is subject to change due to pending legislation.)

If a student in receipt of a Pell Grant enrolls, then reduces his/her course load or withdraws within the drop/add period, such student's award will be based on course load at the end of drop/add. If a student withdraws during the period after drop/add and before the 60 percent point, the College must calculate the amount of Title IV (Federal) aid the student did not earn. Unearned Title IV aid funds must be returned to the Title IV program. In this case, the student may be required to repay a portion of his/her Pell award for the term. Hours for course(s) being taken for the third time will not be considered when calculating Pell Grant eligibility. Likewise, enrollment in remedial/developmental coursework is limited to one year for Pell payment purposes (30 semster hours).

Pell Grant checks will be disbursed initially for those who are eligible and in attendance about two weeks after the end of registration. Subsequent disbursements for adjusted amounts or for those students whose eligibility is verified during the semester will be made as soon as possible after verifying documentation has been received. Any repayment of unearned aid will be in accordance with federal guidelines.

Eligible students may receive a Pell Grant twice in an academic year if they are full-time both terms. If a student registers less than full-time in a given term, the remaining Pell eligibility can be used in the summer. For Wilson Community College, the Fall Semester is the beginning of a new financial aid academic year and requires a new Financial Aid application.

North Carolina Community College Grant (NCCCG)

The 1999 North Carolina General Assembly allocated $5 million to provide need-based assistance for community college students. To be considered, an applicant only needs to list a North Carolina community college to receive a copy of the Student Aid Report in step 6 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By doing so, a student will automatically be considered for NCCCG eligibility by the College Foundation. The grants may range from $100 - $900 a year, assuming full-time enrollment. Eligible recipients must be enrolled at least half-time.

 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

Awards are based on financial need and academic promise. These grants are available to a limited number of students. Eligibility must be established with the Financial Aid Office. Grants range from $400 to $2000 a year; however, most institutional awards are about $800 a year. The College requires SEOG recipients to maintain a 2.7 or higher cumulative grade point average.

 

North Carolina Student Incentive Grant (NCSIG)

Grants are available to full-time students who are residents of North Carolina and who demonstrate "substantial financial need". The amount will be based on the student's demonstrated financial need in relation to resources and cost of education, but may not exceed $1,500 per academic year. Eligibility is determined and funds are provided by the N. C. State Education Assistance Authority. Applications must be received by the processor by March 15 for the upcoming school year.

Education Access Rewards North Carolina Scholarship (EARN)

Available in 2008-09 for the first time, this grant is available to US citizens and NC residents who enroll for the first time in a NC community college or university within seven months of their high school graduation or completion of their GED.  Recipients must also be a dependent per Title IV federal aid programs, demonstrate that their family income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, must qualify for a Pell Grant, and their eligibility may not exceed two academic years.  The maximum award is $4000 per academic year.

Academic Competitiveness Grant

Academic Competitiveness Grant are available for the first time for the 2006 - 2007 school year for first-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second-year student who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. These grant awards are in addition to the student's Pell Grant.

An eligible student may recieve up to $700 for the first year and up to $1300 for the second year.

Complete details are available in the Financial Aid Office

 

North Carolina Lottery Scholarship

Eligiblity is determined on the same criteria as Pell Grant with one exception; students ineligible for Pell Grant with an estimated family contribution (EFC) of $5000 or less will have eligiblity for an Education Lottery Scholarship. It is estimated awards will range from $100 - $2300 per year.

Federal Work-study (FWS)

This is a program of employment in which a student is compensated for the number of hours worked for the College. A student employed in this program normally works no more than 10 hours per week while attending classes.

During vacation periods, the student may work up to 40 hours per week.  The basic rate of pay is $6.55 per hour worked; student workers are paid monthly.

On-campus jobs include work in offices, shops, the library, and maintenance.