Rockingham Promise Scholarship

For students who meet all of the required criteria, Rockingham Community College will agree to pay the tuition and institutional (Campus Access, Credential, Student, and Technology) fees up to the in-state rate for two years of continuous enrollment, including summer terms.

The two years of eligibility begins in the fall semester after high school graduation and ends following the summer semester of the second year.

Funding from federal and state grants must be exhausted before RCC begins paying.

Books are not included under the Rockingham Promise Program.

• Be eligible for North Carolina in-state tuition
• Complete at least three Career & College Promise (CCP) courses during high school with grades of C or better and be in good academic standing with RCC*
• Have a minimum 2.5 unweighted high school GPA
• Meet Rockingham Community College admissions requirements
  (i.e., meet with Admissions, attend orientation)
• Graduate during the 2023-2024 academic year from Reidsville, Rockingham County, Morehead, McMichael, or Bethany high schools
• Enroll at RCC as a full-time student for the fall 2024 semester with a minimum of 12 credit hours in a curriculum (for-credit) program that leads to a certificate, diploma or degree
• Complete the Rockingham Promise Scholarship application
• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The scholarship is on a first-come, first-served basis, as funds remain available. This is a “last-dollar” scholarship. This means students must be processed through Financial Aid first, before being awarded funds from the Rockingham Promise scholarship program.

The first-come, first-served basis time clock begins when all documents are received to commence processing of financial aid, i.e. FAFSA and transcripts.

*Good academic standing is a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 at the end of each semester

1. Apply to Rockingham Community College (RCC) as a degree-seeking student first by completing the online admissions application and then completing the steps to enrollment, which includes completing an online orientation session.
   
   More than likely, you have completed an RCC admissions application for the Career and College Promise Program (CCP) in high school, but a new admissions application is required when you become a college student. After you submit your new RCC admissions application, you will receive an acceptance letter with more detail about the required orientation session.
   
   
2. Apply for financial aid by completing the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov.
   
3. Apply for the Rockingham Promise Scholarship

• Remain in good academic standing at RCC (2.0 GPA)
• Complete 67% of credit hours attempted cumulatively
• Remain continuously enrolled in 12 credit hours once you begin classes

Fall 2023 Rockingham Promise Scholarship Early Deadline July 12th, 2024.

The following requirements must be met by July 12th, 2024, in order to ensure your Rockingham Promise Scholarship eligibility.

• Your new RCC admissions application must be completed, submitted, and on record with the RCC Admissions Office.
• Your official high school transcript showing your graduation date must be submitted and on record with the RCC Admissions Office.
• Your 2023-24 FAFSA and all additional required financial aid paperwork must be completed, submitted, and on record with the RCC Financial Aid Office.

If you wait until the week of the deadline to complete and submit your FAFSA to RCC, you will not meet the deadline. FAFSA forms may take up to 3 to 5 days or longer to process first with the Department of Education, and then you may have to complete required financial aid paperwork with the RCC Financial Aid Office.

Applicants who submit a new RCC admissions application, an official high school transcript, a RCC scholarship application, a 2024-2025 FAFSA, and/or required financial aid paperwork after July 12th, 2024, are not guaranteed acceptance into the Promise scholarship program.

1. What are the requirements for continued eligibility?

• Remain in good academic standing at RCC (2.0 GPA)
• Complete 67% of credit hours attempted cumulatively
• Remain continuously enrolled in 12 credit hours once you begin classes

2. I heard this is a last-dollar scholarship. What does that mean?

This means students must be processed through Financial Aid first, before being awarded funds from the Rockingham Promise scholarship program.

3. What does good academic standing mean at RCC?

Good academic standing is a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 at the end of each semester.

4. I have to take CCP courses to qualify. What are those?

Career and College Promise (CCP) is a program that allows high school students to take college classes and earn college credit for transfer to a four-year university, earn college credit toward a certificate, diploma or degree in applied and technical programs, or earn a credential for entry-level employment. For more information on CCP at RCC, visit NC Career & College Promise Program.

5. How much scholarship money do I receive?

That depends. If you are not eligible for state and/or federal aid, you may receive $1,500 per semester through Rockingham Promise. If you are eligible for state and/or financial aid, you may receive $500 per semester.