Types Of Aid
The Next NC Scholarship is a NEW financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at Wayne Community College. The best part? It’s money that doesn’t have to be repaid.
Learn MoreTrain the East Scholarship
Train the East is a new scholarship available to Latinos and Hispanics who are enrolled or want to enroll in a career/technical curriculum program or short-term training.
Learn MoreFederal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant normally does not have to be repaid. Federal Pell Grants are considered the foundation of federal student financial aid. The amount of a Federal Pell Grant awarded is based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), cost of attendance, enrollment status, and whether the student attends school full-time or part-time and for a full academic year or less. A student may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds at more than one school at a time. A student may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds at more than one school at a time. A student may receive the Federal Pell Grant for up to 12 semesters or the equivalent of 6 years and not to exceed 600% for Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
FSEOG is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Students with the lowest expected family contributions (EFC) receive priority. Limited assistance is available to eligible students from the program. This grant is gift aid and normally does not have to be repaid.
Funding for this program is limited. Early filing is strongly recommended to see if you qualify.
North Carolina Community College Grant
A North Carolina resident enrolled in an eligible program at least half-time may qualify for this grant. This award may range from $100 to $2300 and may be awarded to students in addition to the Federal Pell Grant. Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered for this award.
North Carolina Educational Lottery Scholarship
A North Carolina resident enrolled in an eligible program may be eligible for this award. This award may range from $152 to $2852 and may be awarded to eligible students in addition to the Federal Pell Grant. Students must complete the FAFSA to be considered for this scholarship.
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study Program – WCC offers employment opportunities to eligible students who wish to earn money while attending college. Students work in various areas on campus. On average, students work approximately 10-12 hours per week at a minimum rate of $8.25 per hour. Most students earn about $3000 per year.
If interested in the federal work-study program, students should indicate this interest when completing the FAFSA, and submit a separate WCC Federal Work Study Application.
Please note that students who participate in this program are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress at all times.
Childcare Grant
Child Care Assistance Program – Child Care Grants are available for students enrolled in at least six credit hours of traditional or hybrid classes in an approved program at Wayne Community College. Grants are limited and are based on “greatest need”. In order to be considered for these grants, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), be a NC resident, maintain satisfactory academic progress, complete a WCC Child Care Grant application and have at least one child enrolled in a licensed center. Priority is given to returning, single, low-income parents who are not receiving aid from another source.
These grants are intended to help off-set the costs of child care in a licensed center while students are attending school. For more information about this program contact the Child Care Assistance Coordinator.
Current students can find the Child Care Grant Application Form inside SelfService under the Financial Aid section.
Scholarships
The Financial Aid office is often requested to assist in awarding various private and non-profit scholarships each year. In addition, the Foundation of Wayne Community College also offers many scholarships each year. Make sure you check out the scholarships we offer and the scholarships that are available through the Foundation of WCC. And for a third option, there is a free college scholarship search at Scholarships.com.
Veterans Affairs
Veterans’ assistance programs are coordinated by the Veterans’ Coordinator located in the Financial Aid Office at Wayne Community College. Veterans benefits will be considered as a resource in calculating your eligibility for financial aid.For information about VA benefits or questions regarding eligibility, contact the VA Coordinator. Also see the Department for Veteran’s Affairs Web Page for more information.
Alternative Loans
Alternative loans, also known as private loans, are consumer loans made through various lenders to individuals to help pay for college expenses. A student may be eligible for these loans based on credit and other factors determined by the lender. WCC encourages students to explore available options including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and applying for WCC scholarships before considering loans. Students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships through the WCC Foundation Office. For more information about Foundation scholarships and application deadlines, please visit The Foundation Scholarships page.
Loans are not free. They must be repaid with interest. While there are a variety of lending options available, WCC does not endorse the services of one lender over another. It is recommended that students perform a thorough review of all lenders to make a suitable choice. Students using alternative loans for attendance at WCC have used the following lenders.
NC Student Assist Loan/CFI
PNC Private Undergraduate Student Loan
Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan
Cohort Default Rate
The College ceased participation in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program in the 2013-2014 school year. Information about WCC’s official cohort default rate, including the number of student borrowers and the national average cohort default rate is available on the U.S. Department of Education website.
American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Tax Credits
These income tax credits may reduce a family’s federal taxes. They are based on the student’s qualified educational expenses minus grants, scholarships, and other tax-free educational assistance. The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) is a new credit that replaces the Hope Credit for most taxpayers. The AOTC can be claimed for the first four years of post-secondary education up to a maximum of $2,500 per eligible student. The AOTC is available to tax filers with a modified adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less or $160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return. The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit is available for any level of post-secondary study up to a current maximum credit of $2,000 per return. The credit is not available to single filers with a modified adjusted gross income greater than $60,000 or joint filers with adjusted gross incomes greater than $120,000. Taxpayers who file “married filing separately” are not eligible to take the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning credit. For more information on this credit and other educational tax credits, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov or contact a tax professional.
NC Targeted Assistance Program and NC Less Than Half-Time Funds
This program provides limited need-based assistance to students enrolled in high demand/low enrollment programs or to eligible Vocational Rehabilitation students. To be considered for these funds, students must complete the FAFSA and meet the requirements to receive a Pell Grant, be a NC resident, and be enrolled in an approved program. For the NC Targeted Assistance Grant, a student must be enrolled at least 1/2 time for the semester. For the NC Less Than Half-Time Grant, a student must be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour for the semester.