COVID Relief Grants

Financial Need or Lost Income Due to Coronavirus

Because of the coronavirus, some employers have shut down, and some people have not been able to work due to illness. This may have affected your or your parents’ ability to pay for your education. If you or your family are experiencing financial issues (for example, if your employer closed or you have lost hours of employment) and would like to discuss options. We may be able to use professional judgment on a case-by-case basis to adjust the data used in calculating your estimated family contribution (EFC) to reflect your special circumstances, such as using your 2022 taxes instead of 2021 income on your 2023-24 FAFSA. We want to make sure your income is accurately reported, based on your current financial situation.

Before contacting the Financial Aid office, you must be ready to show documentation to back up any changes. We must have this documentation before we can consider adjusting the amount of financial aid you receive. Examples of documentation we may request include: recent taxes filed, current year income statements, such as pay stubs and unemployment compensation determinations, letter of termination of employment, or other items based on individual circumstances.

Complete and submit a Special Conditions form, along with the appropriate documentation, to fin.aid@rccc.edu.

NC Longleaf Commitment Grant

Are you a 2020, 2021, or 2022 high school or High School Equivalency graduate?  High school students may be eligible to receive this grant – not a loan – for tuition and fees toward a degree or to attain transfer credit. Full-time eligible students are guaranteed to receive $700 to $2,800 per year, for a total of two years. Less than full-time students may receive a partial award. The NC Longleaf Commitment Grant Program ends at the conclusion of the 2024 spring semester.

Eligibility Requirements

• Graduate from a North Carolina high school in 2020, 2021, or 2022.
• Be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes according to the NC Residency Determination Service.
• Be a first-time college student. (Career & College Promise (CCP) and Early College High School students are eligible)
• Enroll in a curriculum program during the 2023-24 academic year.
• Enroll in at least 6 credit hours per semester.
• Complete your 2023-2024 FAFSA. (RCCC FAFSA Code: 005754)
• Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from $0 – $15,000. (“EFC” is based upon student’s FAFSA determination)
• Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements of the College.

How to Get Started

1. Apply to Rowan-Cabarrus and complete residency determination through the NC Residency Determination Service (RDS).
2. Complete your 2023-2024 FAFSA. (RCCC FAFSA Code: 005754)
3. Once you have filed your FAFSA and local college verification is complete, consideration for the Longleaf Commitment grant is automatic. No separate application is needed. Eligible students will receive an award letter from the College’s Financial Aid office.