Financial Aid
Wilkes Community College offers a broad program of financial aid including scholarships, federal, and state aid for students who qualify on the basis of need and/or academic potential. The Financial Aid staff is available to assist students with all aspects of the financial aid process, from exploring funding options to answering questions and providing guidance on how to apply. Please reach out to the Financial Aid team at 336-838-6144 or email financialaid@wilkescc.edu to get started.
Continuation of financial aid from one academic year to the next is not automatic. Students who plan to enroll in college for another year must re-apply for financial aid. The FAFSA will be available on October 1 and the WCC Scholarship Application will be available on December 1 of each year preceding Fall enrollment.
The WCC FAFSA code is 002983. Click here for NC residency information.
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Wilkes Community College
Financial Aid
P.O. Box 120
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Physical Address:
1328 S. Collegiate Drive, Wilkesboro, NC
Phone: 336-838-6144
Toll Free: 866-222-1548
Financial Aid Calendar
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
In order to receive any type of financial assistance from Wilkes Community College students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be completed once each school year. At WCC the school year consists of fall semester, spring semester, and summer term.
Students will create an FSA ID username and password to sign the FAFSA. Dependent students must have at least one parent create and FSA ID username and password. These FSA IDs will be used each year the FAFSA is completed. It is important to keep your information in a secure location.
WCC FAFSA Code: 002983
| Term | Priority FAFSA Deadline | Priority Documents Deadline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | 16-Week Classes | May 15 | July 1 |
| 1st 8-Week Block | May 15 | July 1 | |
| 2nd 8-Week Block | TBD (contact Financial Aid) | TBD (contact Financial Aid) | |
| Spring Semester | 16-Week Classes | November 1 | November 30 |
| 1st 8-Week Block | November 1 | November 30 | |
| 2nd 8-Week Block | TBD (contact Financial Aid) | TBD (contact Financial Aid) | |
| Summer Term | 8-Week Classes | May 1 | May 30 |
| 1st 4-Week Block | May 1 | May 30 | |
| 2nd 4-Week Block | TBD (contact Financial Aid) | TBD (contact Financial Aid) | |
FAFSA Appointments
WCC offers FAFSA Appointments to assist students and their parent with completion of the FAFSA. Students and parents must bring their FSA IDs and their tax returns with them to the appointment. Please call or email the Financial Aid team at 336-838-6144 or financialaid@wilkescc.edu for an appointment.
If you are having problems completing your FAFSA, please call the Financial Aid Office at 336-838-6144.
Verification
Verification is the process used to check the accuracy of a student’s FAFSA. Not all financial aid recipients will be selected for verification.
The verification procedures are governed by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and Subpart E of 34 CFR Part 66B “Verification of Student Aid Application Information Regulations,” published in Federal Resister on April 29, 1994 and November 29, 1994.
Your FAFSA may be selected for verification if:
- You did not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA.
- You used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool but changed some of the data on the FAFSA.
- You were selected randomly by the Federal Government.
- The submitted FAFSA application has estimated, incomplete or contradictory data.
If your FAFSA is selected for verification, you will be sent a letter and emails to your WCC email account from the WCC Financial Aid Office. These will explain what documentation is needed from you. You may also log into Self-Service and choose Financial Aid to see what documents/information is needed.
If you have been selected for verification, your financial aid application is not complete until all verification is completed. See Self-Service for more information. For questions or assistance, contact a financial aid counselor based on the first letter of your last name.
- A-H: Kelly Huffman at kchuffman604@wilkescc.edu or 336-838-6146
- I-N: Ashley Van Hoy at aevanhoy492@wilkescc.edu or 336-838-6237
- O-Z: Amanda Sparks at atsparks899@wilkescc.edu or 336-838-6139
Verification Forms
Verification forms are completed by year. You may have to submit verification documentation for multiple years in a row.
The Financial Aid verification forms are E-Forms and can be accessed through the WCC Student Portal. Log into E-Forms and look under Financial Aid Forms. If you have any questions about E-Forms, contact Financial Aid.
Federal/State Grants & Other Aid
Federal Pell Grants are the “foundation” of student aid.
- FAFSA is required and must be completed each year.
- Eligibility is calculated by the federal student aid processing center.
- Applicant must be an undergraduate student who is enrolled either full-time or part-time and has not already earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.
- Applicant must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
- Recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- FAFSA is required and must be completed each year.
- Eligibility is determined by the WCC Financial Aid Office.
- Recipients must have exceptional financial need.
See How Much Money You Could Get for College With the Next NC Scholarship!
The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program to help most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pay for their tuition and fees to any community college or public university in the state. It combines the federal Pell Grant with state-funded financial aid to form a simplified award.
The best part? It’s money that doesn’t have to be repaid.
How do I apply for the Next NC Scholarship?
Applying is simple. Just submit the FAFSA form. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive the Next NC Scholarship. There are no additional forms to fill out.
Click here for a deeper look at the eligibility requirements.
The North Carolina Child Care Grant is a grant funded by the state of North Carolina to assist currently enrolled students with their child care expenses. It is meant to serve as a partial and temporary child care funding while the student is enrolled in classes and is meeting the grant requirements.
- FAFSA is required.
- Applicant must be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes.
- Applicant must be currently enrolled in a degree or diploma program.
- Recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Scholarships that are offered through other institutions, companies and foundations are considered outside scholarships. If you have been awarded an outside scholarship and do not see it on your account in Self-Service, contact the organization to ensure it has been sent to the college. Once it is received, you will see it on Self-Service. Outside scholarships are automatically split between fall and spring semesters unless otherwise noted.
Outside Scholarship Searches:
Federal Work Study jobs are Title IV funded positions which pay an hourly wage towards an annual award amount, which is determined by the Financial Aid Office for eligible students. The work schedule for students in the FWS program will be set up around their existing class schedule. The pay varies depending on the location of the job and if you are a new or returning FWS student.
In order to participate in the Federal Work Study (FWS) program at WCC, students must meet the following criteria:
- must have a completed FAFSA for the current year
- must be meeting all required Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
- must have unmet financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office
Federal Work Study students will be paid once per month, on the last working day of the month. Students will be given information regarding when time sheets are due to the Financial Aid Office. All time sheets should be accurate and signed by the supervisor. Time sheets cannot be processed without the supervisor’s signature.
As of Fall 2020, Wilkes Community College (WCC) no longer participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.
Alternative Loans
Private or alternative student loans may be necessary for students who need additional funds to cover their cost of attendance. These loans are private loans offered by individual lenders that may require the borrower to have good credit or to obtain a co-signer with good credit. Be advised that the interest rates are variable from lender to lender and may be higher than those of Federal Direct Loans.
WCC does not endorse the use of any particular alternative loan program, but rather encourages students to thoroughly review the programs available and to select the program that best meets their personal needs. WCC does not offer loans directly from the college.
WCC does not have a preferred lender list and has no representatives from student loan organizations on campus or appearing to represent WCC in any way. Additionally, WCC staff members do not receive any funding or incentives whatsoever from lenders providing student loans.
Students should research the various lenders and choose the one that best fits their needs.
We will process alternative loans from any lender the student selects. WCC students have a choice in the selection of a lender. This policy is consistent with federal regulations.
The financial aid office cannot certify any private/alternative loans until the student is enrolled in classes. In addition, the financial aid office will not certify any amount that takes the student over their cost of attendance.
Securing, maintaining, and repaying private loans are the responsibility of the student.
Students requesting a private/alternative loan must complete the Self-Certification Form.
Budgeting/Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as the education and understanding of knowing how money is made, spent, and saved, as well as the skills and ability to use financial resources to make decisions.
To assist our students in this process we offer the following resources:
- Financial Literacy
- Debt Management
- Loan Repayment
- Great Advice for College Students
- Budgeting Resources
- Consumer Protection and Financial Literacy
- Paying for College/Student Loans
Student Loan Default Prevention
Although WCC no longer participates in the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, we do realize we may have students with outstanding Federal Direct Loans from WCC or other institutions. Your student loan repayment will likely be a major expense each month, particularly when you are first starting in your career. Students who are attending WCC on at least a half-time basis should work with their loan servicer regarding a deferment for school enrollment. The following links remind you of the seriousness of repaying student loans, and your rights and responsibilities as a federal student loan borrower:
Federal Pell Grants are the “foundation” of student aid.
- FAFSA is required and must be completed each year.
- Eligibility is calculated by the federal student aid processing center.
- Applicant must be an undergraduate student who is enrolled either full-time or part-time and has not already earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.
- Applicant must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
- Recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- FAFSA is required and must be completed each year.
- Eligibility is determined by the WCC Financial Aid Office.
- Recipients must have exceptional financial need.
See How Much Money You Could Get for College With the Next NC Scholarship!
The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program to help most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pay for their tuition and fees to any community college or public university in the state. It combines the federal Pell Grant with state-funded financial aid to form a simplified award.
The best part? It’s money that doesn’t have to be repaid.
How do I apply for the Next NC Scholarship?
Applying is simple. Just submit the FAFSA form. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive the Next NC Scholarship. There are no additional forms to fill out.
Click here for a deeper look at the eligibility requirements.
The North Carolina Child Care Grant is a grant funded by the state of North Carolina to assist currently enrolled students with their child care expenses. It is meant to serve as a partial and temporary child care funding while the student is enrolled in classes and is meeting the grant requirements.
- FAFSA is required.
- Applicant must be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes.
- Applicant must be currently enrolled in a degree or diploma program.
- Recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Scholarships that are offered through other institutions, companies and foundations are considered outside scholarships. If you have been awarded an outside scholarship and do not see it on your account in Self-Service, contact the organization to ensure it has been sent to the college. Once it is received, you will see it on Self-Service. Outside scholarships are automatically split between fall and spring semesters unless otherwise noted.
Outside Scholarship Searches:
Federal Work Study jobs are Title IV funded positions which pay an hourly wage towards an annual award amount, which is determined by the Financial Aid Office for eligible students. The work schedule for students in the FWS program will be set up around their existing class schedule. The pay varies depending on the location of the job and if you are a new or returning FWS student.
In order to participate in the Federal Work Study (FWS) program at WCC, students must meet the following criteria:
- must have a completed FAFSA for the current year
- must be meeting all required Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
- must have unmet financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office
Federal Work Study students will be paid once per month, on the last working day of the month. Students will be given information regarding when time sheets are due to the Financial Aid Office. All time sheets should be accurate and signed by the supervisor. Time sheets cannot be processed without the supervisor’s signature.
Student Loan Repayment Assistance Through Inceptia
Even though Wilkes Community College no longer participates in the Federal Direct Loan Program, we remain committed to helping students who have outstanding Federal Direct Loans borrowed while attending WCC.
To support borrowers, WCC has partnered with Inceptia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students successfully manage and repay their federal student loans. This free service provides personalized guidance to help borrowers understand their loan obligations and explore available repayment options.
Inceptia’s knowledgeable representatives may contact borrowers by phone, email, or letter during their loan grace period or if a loan becomes delinquent. Their goal is to provide information, answer questions, and help identify solutions that fit a borrower’s individual circumstances. Inceptia is not a collection agency and is not attempting to collect payments.
For additional information and resources, visit Inceptia’s Student Knowledge HQ at https://www.inceptia.org/faq/ or learn more about Inceptia at https://www.inceptia.org/.
You’re not alone when it comes to student loan repayment. WCC and Inceptia are here to help you successfully navigate your federal student loan responsibilities.
Through Inceptia, borrowers can receive assistance with:
- Repayment plan options
- Deferment and forbearance
- Loan consolidation
- Loan forgiveness and discharge programs
- Understanding loan servicer communications
- Avoiding delinquency and default
Student Loan Default Prevention
Although WCC no longer participates in the William D Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, we do realize we may have students with outstanding Federal Direct Loans from WCC or other institutions. Your student loan repayment will likely be a major expense each month, particularly when you are first starting in your career. Students who are attending WCC on at least a half-time basis should work with their loan servicer regarding a deferment for school enrollment. The following links remind you of the seriousness of repaying student loans, and your rights and responsibilities as a federal student loan borrower: