Scholarships

Cabarrus College provides financial support to qualified students through institutional scholarships, scholarships from endowed memorial funds, community organizations and foundations. A sampling of scholarships is listed below.

Institutional Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships

FAFSA REQUIREMENT

All student’s receiving any form of institutional aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1 of the year prior to their intended enrollment (e.g., after Oct. 1, 2022, for enrollment in Fall 2023).

CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT

Students must be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen to qualify for all scholarships, awards and tuition discounts, with the exception of the Atrium Health Loan Forgiveness program.  

DIRECT FROM HIGH SCHOOL (DHS), FULL-TIME DEFINED

Several awards are for new direct from high school, full-time students. As such, it is important to understand who meets eligibility:

1. Direct from High School – is a new student who enrolls directly from high school within one year of their high school graduation and have no previously earned college credits or degrees. Students with college credits earned while in high school (e.g., Advanced Placement, Early College, Dual Credit) remain eligible.
2. Full-time – full-time enrollment at Cabarrus College is defined as 12 credit hours or more each semester.

DIRECT FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

 Cabarrus Cares Award:  A need-based scholarship for new students who enroll full-time directly from a North Carolina High School and exhibit financial need of Tuition and General fees less Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and estimated Financial Assistance as determined by the FAFSA. Amount: Varies

 Merit Scholarships:

A merit-based scholarship for new students who enroll full-time directly from a North Carolina High School.

  President’s Scholarship – Amount: $3000/year

• Students who have a weighted high school GPA > 4.0 and,
• Students who have a minimum ACT score of 24 or higher or SAT composite score of 1160 or higher.

Dean’s Scholarship - Amount: $2000/year

• Students who have a weighted high school GPA 3.50 – 3.99 and,
• Students who have a minimum ACT score of 21-23 or SAT composite score of 981 - 1159.

  Program Chair’s Scholarship – Amount: $1000/year

• Students who have a weighted high school GPA 3.00 – 3.49 and,
• Students who have a minimum ACT score of 18-20 or SAT composite score of 960 - 980.

1942 Club Award: A need-based scholarship for new students who enroll full-time directly from high school with a 3.0 high school GPA and demonstrated financial need. The number of recipients will be determined by the fund balance of the 1942 Club. Amount: $1000/year

New Student Legacy Award: New students who are dependents (as determined by the FAFSA) of previous Cabarrus College graduates are eligible to receive an Alumni Legacy Scholarship. Amount: $500/year

See New Student Awards Terms & Conditions

TRANSFER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

North Carolina Community College (NCCC) Partners Award: A need-based scholarship for new transfer students who enroll full-time directly from Central Piedmont Community College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, or Stanly Community College who exhibit financial need of Tuition and General fees less Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and estimated Financial Assistance as determined by the FAFSA. Students must have a Community College cumulative GPA of 3.0 from the last partner institution attended. Amount: Varies

North Carolina Community College (NCCC) Allied Health Transfer Award is awarded to new transfer students who enroll full-time directly from any North Carolina Community College into one of the College’s baccalaureate allied health degree programs (Biomedical Sciences, Community Health and Wellness, Health Sciences Leadership and Development, Medical Imaging or Respiratory Therapy). Students must have a Community College cumulative GPA of 3.0 from the last North Carolina Community College attended. Amount: $1500 maximum/year

North Carolina Community College (NCCC) Nursing Transfer Award is awarded to new transfer students from any North Carolina Community College who enroll full-time in one of the College’s baccalaureate nursing degree programs (RN-BSN or 4-year BSN). Students must have a Community College cumulative GPA of 3.0 from the last North Carolina Community College attended.  Amount:  $1500 maximum/year     

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Transfer Award: The PTK Transfer Award is awarded to new transfer students who are inducted members of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges. Amount: $1,000/year

Transfer Student Legacy Award: New transfer students who are dependents (as determined by the FAFSA) of previous Cabarrus College graduates are eligible to receive an Alumni Legacy Scholarship. Amount: $500/year

OTHER UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS

Atrium Health Teammate Dependent Award: for dependent students (as determined by the FAFSA) who enroll full-time and whose parent/guardian is employed by Atrium Health.  Amount: $1000/year

Owl Award: A need-based scholarship for students with demonstrated need and/or extenuating circumstances. This award is given at the discretion of the Dean. Amount: Varies

SECOND (2ND) BACHELOR'S DEGREE BRIDGE COURSE TUITION DISCOUNT

Awarded to new undergraduate students with a previous bachelor’s degree, who have applied to a degree program at Cabarrus College, but need to complete pre-requisite “bridge” courses to finalize their application.  Students must enroll as a non-degree student in bridge courses necessary for admission consideration. Students may not enroll in more than 16 credit hours.  Amount: 75% tuition discount.  

See Bridge Course Tuition Discount Terms & Conditions

ATRIUM HEALTH LOAN FORGIVENESS AWARDS

Awarded to new students who are currently employed by Atrium Health or are committed to working in critical need positions at Atrium Health within six months after graduation.

AWARDING SEQUENCE

To calculate the value of the Cares or NCCC Partners Award, the College will reduce the out-of-pocket expense from the student’s direct costs (tuition and general fees), if applicable, in the following general order: Federal Grants, State Scholarships, Other Scholarships and Institutional Aid.  Unmet Need will be covered by the Cares or NCCC Partners Award (for qualifying students).

North Carolina State Scholarship

North Carolina Need Based Scholarship- Created by the 2011 North Carolina General Assembly, this is a need-based program for NC residents attending private institutions of higher education located in North Carolina.

Applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a North Carolina resident as well as an N.C. resident for tuition purposes, as defined by the N.C. Residency Manual
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate student in at least 9 credit hours at a qualifying private North Carolina campus
• Demonstrate a certain level of financial need based on calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Meet requirements for the Federal Pell Grant (except the EFC range restrictions)
• Have not exceeded the lifetime limits for receiving this funding as determined by that state agency

The value per grant will vary according to information generated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Enrollment impacts funding levels. Funding is only available in fall and spring semesters.

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing at least one qualifying private North Carolina institution. Consideration for the grant is automatic once the FAFSA is filed. NC residency must be confirmed by the student's application for residency at https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/

This assistance is applied only to the cost of tuition, fees and books for the current academic year.

Endowed Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded by the Cabarrus College scholarship committee based on a combination of criteria including financial need, instructor recommendation, merit, essay response, volunteer and club and activity participation as well as program of study. The Endowed Scholarship application is emailed to all currently enrolled students on their Cabarrus College email around April 1 each year. The application must be electronically completed and returned to the financial aid office by the last day of May. Only students who have completed at least two clinical courses in their current program are eligible to apply for these scholarships each spring. Master's level students are no eligible to apply for the endowed scholarships.

• Dianne O. and Richard H Snyder Scholarship
• Thomas Haywood Scholarship
• Louise Harkey Memorial Scholarship
• Robert Weaver Scholarship
• Dr. John J. and Doris Smerznak Scholarship
• Caroline Walker Memorial Scholarship
• Dr. W. Russell Floyd Scholarship
• Dr. Linny and Joyce Baker Nursing Scholarship
• Kay Linker Pediatric Nursing Merit Scholarship
• Mary “Gibby” Lee Scholarship
• Jean Tippett Partridge Memorial Scholarship
• G.E. Lentz Plumbing and Heating Scholarship
• Anita A. and Terry L. Brown Scholarship
• Dr. & Mrs. Thomas T. Long, III Scholarship
• Susan Howell Bare Nursing Scholarship
• Volunteers of Atrium Health Cabarrus Scholarship
• Cabarrus College General Scholarship
• Cabarrus College Student Scholarship
• Johnette Padgett Whitley Nursing Scholarship
• Beatrice Waddell Calloway Scholarship
• Atrium Health Cabarrus Medical Staff Endowed Scholarship
• Charlotte Radiology Medical Imaging Scholarship
• Rose Liberto Nursing Scholarship

Community Scholarships

• Cabarrus County Medical Society and CCMS Alliance Scholarship
• Cabarrus Rotary Club Scholarship
• UPS Scholarship
• John & Connie King Scholarship
• Wells Fargo Scholarship

Foundation Scholarships

• Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Fund.

Other Scholarships

Students should investigate scholarship opportunities available through their and/or parents' employers, memberships or club affiliations, churches or resources accessed via the Internet. Some examples include:

• Concord Business and Professional Women's Organization
• Foundation for the Carolinas
• The Great 100 Scholarship Program
• North Carolina League for Nursing

In addition, many occupational groups support students who are interested in pursuing a career in their field. Some examples include:

• Cabarrus County Medical Assistants
• The American Occupational Therapy Foundation
• Please note: These are only some examples of the many opportunities available.