This fall, the Longleaf Commitment grant fully covered or reduced tuition expenses for students who graduated in 2021 and attended any of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges. This opportunity is now available to 2020 graduates who are enrolling for the first time this spring. Students who graduated in 2020 and enrolled for the first time in fall 2021 are also eligible, if they are returning for the spring 2022 semester. The program is funded through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund, and seeks to offset the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational attainment. By expanding eligibility to include 2020 high school graduates, the NC Community College System hopes to increase access and provide students with an affordable option for a quality education.
Eligible students working toward an associate degree and/or credits to transfer to a four-year college or university, can receive anywhere from $700 to $2,800 per year for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years. The Longleaf grant funds are awarded in addition to the federal Pell grant and any state aid students are entitled to receive. There is not a separate application for the grant, and the funds do not have to be repaid. The grant provides an opportunity for students to obtain the education they need and get a career they want, at little or no cost to them or their families, through the Spring 2023 semester.
To receive a Longleaf Commitment Grant, students must be:
- A North Carolina resident
- A 2020 or 2021 North Carolina high school graduate – high school equivalency completers (GED, HiSET) are eligible.
- A first-time college student for the 2021-2022 academic year – includes those who have taken classes through Career & College Promise (CCP) and Early/Middle College High School.
- Enrolled in a curriculum program for the 2021-2022 academic year
- Enrolled for at least 6 credit hours per semester (eligible part-time students will receive a partial award)
- A student who has completed the 2021-2022 FAFSA with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) between $0-$15,000.
Students who graduated from a North Carolina high school in 2020 or 2021 are automatically considered for the grant. Once you have applied to the College and submitted your FAFSA with the WCC school code, our Financial Aid Office can determine your eligibility. If you are interested in learning more about the Longleaf Commitment Grant opportunity, visit the Longleaf Commitment Grant page.
Early registration for the Spring 2022 semester is open now through December 9, and then will pick back up on January 4 through January 10. For more information about how to apply for admission and complete RDS and FAFSA, visit the Apply Now page. You can also call/text (252) 285-4515 about starting your educational journey at WCC, or give us a call at (252) 291-1195 for general information. #WilsonCC We make Wilson work.
What’s Happening
- Spring Registration: Jan 4-5, 2022
- Spring Late Registration: Jan 6-10, 2022
- 16-wk and 1st 8-wk classes start: January 6