Scholarships

Search and apply for over $1 million available in Central Piedmont scholarships with just one simple online application. You can also search external scholarships available through community organizations. Plan before you apply. Improve your chances of earning a scholarship.

Central Piedmont Scholarships

Central Piedmont institutional scholarship funds are provided to eligible learners through the continued generosity of the Central Piedmont Foundation, individuals, industries, businesses, organizations, civic clubs, and other community partners. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis applying the following criteria:

  • academic excellence
  • achievement
  • leadership qualities
  • need or other criteria as stipulated by the donor.

Awards are usually restricted to tuition assistance and require the recipient to maintain a minimum grade point average to continue receiving the scholarship.

How to Apply for Central Piedmont Scholarships

Each scholarship is awarded for one academic year beginning with the fall semester. Students must reapply each year.

Central Piedmont Scholarship Donors

Donors of scholarships should direct contributions to the Central Piedmont Foundation, Incorporated, which supports and supplements educational programs, projects, and scholarships at Central Piedmont for which funds from other sources are unavailable or inadequate. The Central Piedmont Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Questions regarding the establishment of scholarships and requests for other scholarship donor­-related information should be directed to the Central Piedmont Foundation at 704.330.6869.

Other Central Piedmont Scholarship Opportunities

  • Theresa Thompson Library Central Piedmont Scholarship

    The Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance for currently enrolled students pursuing a two-year degree at Central Piedmon. The scholarship is restricted to books and/or tuition assistance. This scholarship award is made possible through library fundraising projects. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded in the fall and spring semester. Scholarships are awarded for one academic semester and are not renewable or transferable.

    To be eligible for the Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • be a full-time student, currently enrolled in 12 credit hours or more in an approved program leading to a two-year degree
    • must have completed at least one full-time semester at Central Piedmont and currently be enrolled as a full-time student with a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher (a full-time student is one who is taking 12 credit hours or more)

    To apply for the Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship:

    • Complete the Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship application.
    • Write an original 550 to 750 word essay on how the Central Piedmont libraries have helped you achieve your educational goals thus far.
    • Secure a letter of recommendation for the Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship from a Central Piedmont faculty or staff member that you have collaborated with in the last two years.
    • Submit the application with all supporting documents to either library.scholarship@cpcc.edu, in person in a sealed envelope to any Central Piedmont library, or by mail to Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship Committee, Library Administration - LRC 403, PO Box 35009, Charlotte, NC 28235-5009.
      • Both the scholarship application and the recommendation forms can be edited and saved on a computer but must still be printed and signed in order to be considered complete; make sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader if you plan on filling out the application on your computer (Adobe Reader 8 or later).
    • A copy of a complete Central Piedmont transcript (unofficial) must be submitted with the application.
    • Library employees, including work study students, are not eligible to apply.
    • Scholarships are awarded for one academic semester only; previous Theresa Thompson Library Scholarship winners may not reapply.

    All applications and supporting documents are reviewed and verified by the Library Scholarship Committee. Recommendations for award will be based on how well applicants met eligibility  criteria, written essay, and letter of recommendation. The decision will be made by the committee and is final.The full amount of the scholarship award will be deposited directly into the recipient's Central Piedmont account once enrollment in 12 credit hours or more for the awarding semester is verified.

  • Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship

  • State Employees Credit Union Scholarship

    The SECU Foundation established this two-year scholarship program to assist North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) students in achieving academic success. The members of the State Employees' Credit Union take an active role in assisting organizations and communities across North Carolina and truly believe in "People Helping People!"

    There are 116 scholarships valued at up to $5,000 each. Central Piedmont receives two scholarships each year. These scholarships are distributed semi-annually in two payments for a maximum of four consecutive semesters:

    • fall semester, $1,250 per student
    • spring semester, $1,250 per student

    To apply, all recipients will need to review the eligibility criteria and submit the following documents to the Central Piedmont Financial Aid office by the specified deadline. The deadline has passed and applications are no longer being accepted for 2019.

    • State Employees Credit Union Scholarship application, media consent form, and student biography guidelines
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  • American Legion Post 287 Central Piedmont Scholarship

    Since most veterans receive “veteran” educational benefits, our Post would like to assist the children of veterans who do not receive any such funds.  Our goal is to make funds available to assist Veteran’s Children in their pursuit of continuing education. The American Legion Post feels that one of its main roles in the Veterans life is to provide support not only while on active duty but after returning to civilian life. Some of that support is to his family. Post 287’s desire it to “give back” in some way a thank-you for your service to our country by assisting his children.

    Typically the American Legion Post will provide two $500.00 scholarships to the selected children of veterans among the ones that apply. The scholarship is paid to the individuals account at Central Piedmont and can be used for registration fees or for books following the application and selection. These scholarships are provided at the beginning of the fall semester. The scholarship will be awarded at the September Meeting of the Post.

    Guidelines:

    • The American Legion Post 287 Scholarship is available for the children of both Active Duty and Honorable Discharged Veterans enrolling for classes at Central Piedmont Community College.
    • The individual must be registered as a full time student and carry a full load during the fall semester.
    • The individual may reapply for the scholarship for the next fall semester the following year.

    Process:

    • Individual interested in the American Legion Post 287 Central Piedmont Scholarship should obtain an information package and application from the financial aid office at Central Piedmont.
    • The individual should complete the application along with a letter as requested in the application and then mail the application and letter to the Post Adjutant at the address provided.

    Scholarship Committee:

    • The American Legion Post 287 Scholarship Committee will collect all applications during the months of July and August. 
    • The Committee will review the applications and letters.
    • Selections will be based on the application and the letter. Judging will be performed independently by members of the committee who will meet and by consensus select the recipients.

    Notification:

    • Recipients will be notified by phone or mail as to being selected. Individuals who are not selected are encouraged to resubmit the following summer.

    Instructions:

    Please fill out the Post 287 Scholarship application form (PDF) and mail back to the following address along with your letter and registration material:

    American Legion Post 287
    Scholarship Chairman
    4709 Gaynelle Drive
    Charlotte, North Carolina 28215

  • NC Assist Summer Funds for College

    NC Assist is giving away another $5,000 in its "$5,000 Summer Funds for College” giveaway. Any students or parents of students who will be attending Central Piedmont in the fall of 2019 or spring of 2020 are eligible to enter.

    Visit the NC Assist Facebook page and share the NC Assist Summer Funds for College giveaway Facebook post with your students and families. 

    The contest is open until midnight on Wednesday, July 31. Visit www.ncassist.org to view the giveaway rules and to enter. 

  • Wells Fargo Scholarship

    The Wells Fargo Scholarship is distributed among the 58 colleges in the community college system. One scholarship, valued at $500, will be awarded per college and may be distributed in two payments:

    • fall semester: $250
    • spring semester: $250

    Recipients of the Wells Fargo scholarship will be selected each year from applicants at local colleges meeting the following criteria:

    • full-time student enrolled in the second year of a two-year educational/technical program
    • demonstrated financial need
    • demonstrated scholastic promise
    • scholarship must be used to pay for tuition, books, and/or transportation

    Wells Fargo Scholarship application (PDF)

    • fall 2019 application deadline: Friday, September 20, 2019
    • spring 2020 application deadline: Friday, February 7, 2020

  • Metallica Scholars Initiative (Scholarship)

    In late 2018, as part of a new workforce education initiative, rock band Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH) Foundation awarded Central Piedmont a $100,000 grant to support career and technical education programs. The scholarship program provides direct support for students enrolled in one of four healthcare career programs, who need financial assistance to complete their studies and become licensed healthcare professionals. 

    Learn more about the Metallica Scholarship.

Community/External Scholarships

Application requirements will vary by scholarship. Visit each scholarship's website for award amounts, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other details.

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