What is NC Reach?
NC Reach is a state-funded scholarship offered to qualified applicants for up to 4 years of undergraduate study at NC public colleges and universities. Available funding is awarded after other public funds and scholarships have been applied. NC Reach provides comprehensive student support, including mentors, care packages and internships.
Who is eligible for NC Reach?
Students are eligible for NC Reach if they are:
- Legal residents of North Carolina, eligible for in-state tuition rates
- Adopted from NC Division of Social Services (DSS) foster care after the age of 12, OR, aged out of NC DSS foster care at age 18 (they must have been in care on their 18th birthday)
- Exited from foster care to a permanent home through guardianship with the support of the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP)
- Enrolled in one of the 74 NC public community colleges, colleges or universities
- Under the age of 26 (participants remain eligible until their 26th birthday)
Apply for the NC ETV Program and NC Reach in 3 simple steps:
- Complete your online ETV Application (CLICK HERE)
- Complete your Participation Agreement(CLICK HERE)
- Submit your Budget(CLICK HERE ) this will help you manage your money and plan for the semester
More About NC Reach:
Which schools can students attend to receive NC Reach?
Students attending any of the 74 NC public community colleges, colleges or universities are eligible to apply for NC Reach. Private colleges and universities are not part of this program. For a complete guide to NC state colleges and universities, click HERE.
How do students apply to NC Reach?
Applications are not considered until students:
-
- Complete the online application.
- Download, complete and submit the 2-page student document packet:
- Student Participation Form: This form provides detailed information about NC Reach, including the requirements that students complete a budget and communicate regularly with their assigned NC Reach Coordinator
- Budget: After completing steps (1) and (2), students are assigned an NC Reach Coordinator, who works with them to develop a budget for the semester, identify and access on-campus resources, and outline a plan for academic success
NC Division of Social Services (DSS) determines the initial eligibility of each applicant
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that required documentation is sent to NC Reach; applicants should log into the student portal to see if their school has done so.
NC Reach applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year to determine their eligibility for other federal and state grants, loans and work-study. Click HERE for more information or to complete the FAFSA.
How are NC Reach funds disbursed?
NC Reach funds may be used for the following expenses:
- Tuition and fees
- On-campus housing
- On-campus meal plans
- Books and school supplies
- Off-campus housing (rent) and associated living expenses
- Transportation to and from school (not to include the purchase of a car)
- Child care
After the application is complete and the student budget has been developed, NC Reach emails an award letter to the student and their school informing them of the grant amount for the current (upcoming) semester.
- All NC Reach funding is disbursed by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) directly to the college financial aid office
- NC Reach funding is applied to tuition, fees and on-campus housing/meal plan (if applicable)
- Any remaining funds are disbursed to the student as a refund check from their school, to be used for
- Books and school supplies
- Rent and associated living expenses
- Transportation to and from school (not to include the purchase of a car)
- Child care
Students should check with their school’s financial aid office regarding any refunds; each school is different and NC Reach has no control over the refund process and cannot predict when refund checks are issued.
What benefits do NC Reach students receive?
NC Reach students receive the following benefits:
- Funding to cover tuition and fees at their school without having to take out student loans
- Many students also receive a refund which may be used for school-related living expenses
- Students are matched with a NC Reach coordinator who helps them academically, personally and in designing a career path
- They are eligible to request a personal coach to assist and encourage their progress in school through telephone calls, email and social media
- They receive three care packages during each school year
- They are eligible to participate in the Foster Care to Success InternAmerica Program
What are the student’s responsibilities as a part of NC Reach?
The NC Reach Student Participation Agreement lists the student’s responsibilities as a recipient of the scholarship. Students should keep a copy of the agreement after they submit their signed copy to NC Reach.
Students must:
- Demonstrate that they are making satisfactory progress toward their academic goal
- Stay in touch with NC Reach by telephone or email, at least twice a month
- Check and read their email at least once a week
- Submit new NC Reach forms each term (semester/quarter) in order to receive funding the following term
- Ask their school to mail their official transcript to NC Reach at the end of each term they are funded by NC Reach
- Update their application every time their personal information changes
How does a student remain eligible for NC Reach funding?
To remain eligible for NC Reach, students must be advancing towards their educational degree or certification (making “satisfactory progress). At the end of each semester, academic progress is measured by reviewing an official transcript mailed directly from the school to NC Reach. Faxes, emails and unofficial transcripts are not accepted.
Academic requirements:
- To receive NC Reach funding, students must be enrolled at least 6 credit hours
- To remain in good standing with their postsecondary institution and with NC Reach, students must achieve at least a 2.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) every academic term (semester or quarter) that they receive funding
- NC Reach funds may not be used to retake a class which a student previously failed (F) or from which they withdrew (W).
Satisfactory Progress means:
- Maintaining an overall passing average (generally 2.0 GPA or higher)
- Earning the required credits as a full- or part-time student that will lead to a degree, diploma or certificate in no more than 150% of the credit hours required to earn that certification. In other words, if an associate’s degree requires 60 credits, students must complete the degree with no more than 90 credits.
What happens if a student does not maintain Satisfactory Progress?
The first time a student falls below a term GPA of 2.0, withdraws from a class (W) or fails a class (F), the student is required to participate in the Academic Success Program. If the student does not raise their term GPA to above a 2.0 the following term, they will be suspended from receiving NC Reach funding for one full year. They may also risk losing their Pell and ETV funding.
What is the Academic Success Program?
The Academic Success Program (ASP) matches NC Reach students with qualified, trained coaches who work with them intensively to help them improve their GPA to a 2.0 or better over the course of one academic term.
ASP teaches students to:
- Understand the process for successful course completion, including note taking, preparing for exams, writing papers and other study techniques
- Utilize on-campus student support services such as tutoring centers, math and language labs, and peer mentors
- Increase their confidence in their ability to achieve academically
- Continue their satisfactory academic performance in subsequent terms as a result of the student skills they learn through ASP
- Persist in their postsecondary aspirations and complete their degree, diploma or certification requirements
Ready to Apply?
- Complete your online ETV Application (CLICK HERE)
- Complete your Participation Agreement(CLICK HERE)
- Submit your Budget(CLICK HERE ) this will help you manage your money and plan for the semester
For more information, call (919) 287-4970 or email ncreach@ncreach.org.