Scholarships & Financial Aid
What is "Financial Aid?"
The term "financial aid" covers all types of aid received to pay college expenses. This can include scholarships, grants, work study programs, and loans. Some financial aid is "need-based" which is determined by a families income and ability to pay for college. Other financial aid may be "merit-based," rewarding students for academic achievement, volunteerism, or other actions.
Finding Money for College
When searching and applying for scholarships, please pay close attention to deadlines and application requirements. In most cases, applications will not be considered if late, incomplete or, otherwise, incorrect.
The search for financial aid can begin in a student's junior year by finding and reviewing resources. Attend a financial aid workshop in your area and review costs of chosen institutions. Junior year is a planning year!
Summer prior to the final year in high school and through out the year, students should be actively applying for scholarships. Application processes and deadlines vary by scholarship. Most have moved to online applications and are easy to access.
Scholarship Search Websites
JCPS Scholarship Opportunities Johnston County Public Schools provides this database listing scholarships available through your counselor, area organizations, and other providers. Pay close attention to deadlines!
Going Merry Free scholarship and financial aid platform that can match students with scholarships and grants. Going Merry also has help for the completing the FAFSA.
Unique Scholarships Did you know there is a Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship? Check out this and other unique scholarships.
Military Affiliated Scholarships Do either of your parents serve in the military, reserves or honorably discharged? These scholarships may be for you.
NC State Education Assistance Authority
NCSEAA sponsors different programs to assist families and students in financing college. The Forgivable Education Loans for Service program (FELS) provides funding for NC students pursuing programs leading to careers in areas with critical need such as nursing, teaching, allied health fields and medicine. CTLA students who want to pursue their education in these fields can qualify for loan forgiveness!
Program application and information for the 2022-2023 academic year willopen January 2022 at www.CFNC.org/FELS. The priority deadline for submitting the FELS application is March 1.
Avoid Scholarship Scams!
While navigating the scholarship process you may come across organizations that promise scholarships in exchange for a fee. The goal of scholarship scams is to deceive like asking for money in advance or promising a scholarship with a "money back guarantee." Information that these companies provide to you is available free of charge through contacting school counselors, colleges, and many legitimate websites such as CFNC. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides information to the public about ways to avoid scholarships scams. To learn more about scholarships scams, visit FTC's Website.