The following is a summary of the most popular financial aid options used by our students.

Programs that provide funds that do not have to be repaid include:

Pell Grant - Funding for this program comes from the federal government. Eligibility is based on need. To apply, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form which takes four to six weeks to be evaluated. If qualified, you could receive from $400 to $4,310 per year to help cover the costs of your education. Note: For ACC to receive information regarding your financial aid status you must include the College's code, ie, 005463 on the FAFSA application. The financial aid office staff are available for assistance in filing the application.

Scholarships - Funding for this program comes from community organizations and the ACC Foundation. Eligibility is based largely on need, although a certain number of scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic performance. Individual donors often place specific restrictions on the scholarship(s) they offer. Applications are available in the Financial Aid office.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - Funding for this program comes from the federal government. Eligibility is based on need. This grant is only available to students who have additional need after receiving Pell Grant and Work-Study funds.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) - Funding for this program comes from the federal government. This grant provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and who have successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education.

N.C. Community College Grant - This program is funded by the State of North Carolina. It provides supplemental money to select students who already are receiving Pell Grant assistance. It also provides help to a small percentage of students who have a documented financial need, but do not qualify for Pell Grant funds.

N.C. Education Lottery Scholarship - This program is funded by the State of North Carolina. It provides supplemental money to students who are marginally eligible for Pell Grant assistance. It also provides help to a small percentage of students who have documented need but do not qualify for Pell or NC Community College Grant.

N.C. Student Incentive Grant - This program is funded by the State of North Carolina. It provides additional money to Pell students with the greatest need. Annual application deadline is March 15.

N.C. Community College Child Care Assistance Grant - This program is funded annually by the State legislature and provides funds to help students meet the costs of their daycare expenses. Eligibility is based on need.

Programs that allow you to work in order to earn money for school include:

Federal Work Study - This program allows you to work up to 15 hours per week on campus. Salaries are paid at the rate of $6.50 per hour with a raise to $7.00 per hour after two consecutive semesters of work and a total of 400 hours worked. Eligibility is based on need and you must qualify for federal aid in order to participate. Funding for this program is shared by the federal government and ACC.

Institutional Work Study - This program is similar to College Work Study except that the funding comes entirely from ACC, eligibility is based on both need and ability, and you do not have to qualify for federal aid in order to participate. A limited number of part-time ACC positions are available each term.

Off Campus Employment - The Placement Office at ACC can help students locate part-time and full-time jobs in the community. See the placement director to register for this assistance.

Programs provided by outside agencies include:

Dislocated Worker program - This is a federally funded program administered by the State through the Employment Security Commission. To be eligible, you must have lost your job due to a plant closing.

N. C. Vocational Rehabilitation - NCVR is a state program designed to train or retrain people with disabilities.

Workforce Investment Act - WIA is a federally funded program administered through the Employment Security Commission. Eligibility is largely based on financial need.