14 Jun Free Tuition for High School Graduates

FREE Tuition for Eligible 2021 High School Graduates at Carteret CC

Morehead City, N.C. (June 14, 2021) – Carteret Community College will provide two years of free tuition for eligible 2021 high school graduates as part of the Longleaf Commitment Grant. An initiative announced on May 14, 2021 from the Governor’s office after historic drops in North Carolina’s higher education system in 2020.

The statewide grant program is available at all 58 community colleges starting in the fall of 2021 with the goal of ensuring high school students do not fall out of the education pipeline. 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.

This opportunity will greatly benefit high school students with limited financial resources and who may not have otherwise been able to attend college. The Longleaf Commitment Grant is a strong message to high school students that college is attainable even during such challenging times.

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 Longleaf Commitment Grant Program ends at the conclusion of the 2023 spring semester. Eligible students must:

• Graduate from a North Carolina high school in 2021
• Be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes
• Be a first-time college student (Career & College Promise (CCP) and Early/Middle College High School students are eligible)
• Enroll in a curriculum program during the 2021-22 academic year
• Enroll in at least 6 credit hours per semester
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2021-22
• Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from $0 – $15,000.  (“EFC” is based upon student’s FAFSA determination)
• Renew FAFSA for the 2022-23 academic year and meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements of the college

To get started applicants need to complete the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS), apply for admission at Carteret Community College, and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There is not a separate Longleaf Commitment Grant application, as consideration for funding is automatic once the FAFSA is filed and local college verification is completed.  Eligible students will receive an award letter from the Carteret CC Financial Aid Office. This is a newly created grant, please allow time for award letters to be send in July 2021.

Carteret CC staff are available to help students navigate the admission and application process during the college’s summer hours Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the McGee Building. For additional information or questions, contact Student Services at (252) 222-6060.

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