NC Reach

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?