Paying for College
Welcome to our comprehensive “Paying for College” guide, where we help you navigate the intricate landscape of financing higher education. As you embark on this exciting journey, understanding the resources available to you is crucial.
Step one is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your gateway to federal and state grants, scholarships, and other financial assistance programs. Before being considered for aid, you must have a current FAFSA on file.
Once your FAFSA is submitted, you may qualify for a wide variety of assistance. While some opportunities require separate applications, the FAFSA is always your first step. Below is an outline of the various resources available to make paying for college a reality.
BCC’s OneStop Student Services Center staff is here to help every step of the way.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
To get started on your FAFSA you must first create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. You will need BCC’ School Code, which is 015285. Students and parents/guardians (anyone contributing to your FAFSA application) must have an FSA ID. If you already have an FSA ID, you do not need to create a new one. To begin, follow the instructions linked below. For additional information on the FAFSA and the process of completing it, please take a look at the videos below.
Understanding FAFSA (English)
Understanding FAFSA (Spanish)
Parent Guide
Grants and Scholarships
The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at any community college or more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees to attend any public university in the state. The best part? It’s money that doesn’t have to be repaid. That’s right. All you have to do it submit your FASFA to find out if you can get money for college that you don’t have to pay back.
Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSOG), NC Community College Grant, NC Education Lottery Scholarship, Golden LEAF, and Longleaf Commitment Grant. You apply to each of these grants by completing an annual FAFSA application.
The Brunswick Guarantee is a one-time opportunity for Brunswick County High School students to pursue a degree, diploma, or certificate at Brunswick Community College (BCC) without the burden of tuition, books, or fees!
To qualify for this amazing opportunity, students must meet the following criteria:
- Residency: Be a resident of Brunswick County within the past 2 years.
- Citizenship: Be a United States citizen or documented lawful permanent resident.
- High School Enrollment: Have been enrolled in a Brunswick County public, private, or home school during high school.
- GPA Requirement: Earned at least a 2.3 unweighted high school GPA, or received a GED®/Adult High School diploma from BCC with a passing score on the GED® or HiSET® exam.
- Enrollment Timing: Enroll at Brunswick Community College within four semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall) of graduating from a Brunswick County high school or receiving a BCC GED/Adult High School Diploma.
- Application: Annually complete a BCC Scholarship application and a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Program Enrollment: Enroll in a curriculum (for credit) program (certificate, diploma, or degree).
Note: The Brunswick Guarantee application will default to The Foundation of BCC application from February 1 – May 31.
Post 9/11 GI Bill, Active Duty Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve and Guard Montgomery GI Bill, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Education Programs. Contact the Financial Aid office for additional details at [email protected].
The Foundation of BCC establishes Student Scholarships through donor gifts to the Foundation. The Foundation’s committee awards scholarships based on the criteria specified by the donor and in conjunction with Foundation policies. Students can apply once and be considered for over 100 awards.
Applicants must complete the FAFSA before submitting the scholarship application. The 2024 application period begins on February 1 and ends at midnight on May 31.
The button below takes you to the application site. If you do not already have an account, please follow the instructions to create one.
Nearly 150 college scholarships administered by the North Carolina Community Foundation are open for applications, representing nearly $1.8 million in available scholarship funds.
At NCCF, we believe in the power of education to improve lives. We partner with donors to administer scholarships for the benefit of students across the state.
- Most NCCF scholarships close for 2024 applications on March 15. There is no cost to apply, and it is now much easier for students to apply for multiple scholarships from NCCF.
- This year, NCCF is using a Universal Scholarships Application for the first time. The online application matches information about the student – such as county of residence, GPA or intended major – with criteria for approximately 130 scholarships. Students are then alerted to all scholarships for which they may be eligible.
- About 20 other NCCF scholarships have separate applications with different due dates. Students are encouraged to review the criteria for those and follow the instructions on how to apply.
The North Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NCASFAA) provides training and professional development opportunities to the financial aid community, advocates on behalf of financial aid professionals, and strives to promote educational access and choice for students.
As a college student, financial support is provided through grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. The application information for the new NCASFAA scholarship is now live.
To apply, click on the button below, review the eligibility requirements and apply. The application deadline is March 22, 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have a few options:
- Log into your Self-Service, select “Make a Payment” and pay by credit/debit card
- Remit payment over the phone, 910.755.7318
- Visit the Cashier’s Office, Building A, first floor to pay in person; or
- Set up a Payment Plan with the Business Office
Note: To remain enrolled in classes, remit tuition by the payment due date. If you are unable to pay the full tuition amount, consider applying for a Payment Plan.
Brunswick Community College is pleased to provide students with a Tuition Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay your tuition and fees in monthly installments.
To create a Payment Plan:
- Log into your Self-Service, select “Make a Payment” and select “Create a Payment Plan”; or
- Visit the Business Office, Building A, first floor. Complete the Tuition Payment Plan Enrollment Application and make your first payment.
NOTE: A payment plan is not effective until you have made your first payment. During peak registration periods, a Payment Plan Requests may take up to 24 hours to be processed.
Yes. The North Carolina General Assembly appropriates limited funding each academic year to be used to assist student-parents with child care expenses. The intent of this grant is to assist need-based students with the financial responisbility of child care so that they may stay enrolled and complete their educational goals. Eligible students may receive up to $650 per month per child.
To be eligible for the NC Child Care Grant, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be a legal resident of North Carolina
- Be enrolled in as a Curriculum student
- Be enrolled at least 6 credit hours
- Have a 2024-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)on file with the Office of Financial Aid
- Must main Satisfactory Academic Progress (2.0 GPA and 67% completion rate)
- Must submit monthly attendance sheets for each class enrolled
- Must submit monthly attendance record from child care provider for each child
Child Care grants are awarded on a first-come, first service basis and preference is provided to students in seated classes.
For additional information, contact us at (910) 755-7320 or [email protected].
If you have been advised by the Office of Financial Aid to complete and submit a form(s), click on the button below and enter your user ID and password. Once you have logged in, you should see a list of Financial Aid forms. Select the form you were requested to completed.
If you do not see the requested form, please contact the Office of Financial Aid. Please complete forms only if and when they are requested. Be sure to use the correct year, and return it as soon as possible to avoid delay in processing your Financial Aid application.
To remain enrolled you must remit the tuition due. If you are unable to pay the full amount, consider applying for a Payment Plan where you pay an initial amount and then monthly installments. If awarded financial aid, your aid will be applied to your account and any excess funds received will be returned to you.
Log into your Self-Service account or call the Cashier’s office, 910.755.7318, to pay tuition or setup a Payment Plan.
- Log into your Self-Service, select “Make a Payment” or select “Create a Payment Plan”; or
- Visit the Business Office, Building A, first floor. Complete the Tuition Payment Plan Enrollment Application and make your first payment.
NOTE: A payment plan is not effective until you have made your first payment. During peak registration periods, a Payment Plan Requests may take up to 24 hours to be processed.
The amount of financial aid a student has available for books is determined by the financial aid award minus the cost of tuition and fees. Most financial aid and Brunswick Guarantee scholarship recipients have available funds to purchase books. Shop online at BCC’s Bookstore or stop by the Bookstore located in Building A no earlier than 10 days prior to the start of the semester. Financial Aid will only cover course materials listed on your course syllabus.
The last day to purchase books and/or supplies in the Bookstore using financial aid is 5 business days after classes start. This also applies to using Brunswick Guarantee funds for purchases.
Yes. Part-time employment for students with financial need is available. To apply, click the Federal Work Study option in your FAFSA application and complete BCC Federal Work Study Application linked here. Please email a copy of the completed form to [email protected]. You may also pick up and/or deliver your completed form to OneStop Student Services located in Building A on Main Campus.
Federal and state regulations require that students complete an annual FAFSA form and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to be eligible to continue receiving funding. For details of BCC’s Policy webpage and refer to 4.20 Satisfactory Academic Progress. For additional questions, contact a Financial Aid Counselor at [email protected].
