Scholarships
GEER II Scholarship
This scholarship program helps cover the cost of attendance for eligible, credential aligned programs in Workforce Continuing Education.
Under the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER Fund), the U.S. Department of Education awards grants to Governors to provide local educational agencies (LEAs), institutions of higher education (IHEs), and other education-related entities with emergency assistance due to COVID-19. Under the “Certification and Agreement for Funding under the Education Stabilization Fund Program Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund” (CFDA Numbers: 84.425C), the Governor of NC established the Workforce Resilience Grant for eligible NC Community College students.
Eligibility Criteria:
At a minimum, eligible students applying for this scholarship must:
- Be able to attest they are a resident of North Carolina, employed in North Carolina, or intend to be employed in North Carolina. The Residency Determination Service (RDS) process is not required.
- Be enrolling in Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) pathways/courses leading to an NC Workforce Credential identified as either Essential or Career level. These pathways may consist of a single WCE course or a series of courses. Here is the link to this list: https://nccareers.org/credentials.
Scholarship Award Requirements:
The intent of these funds is to remove access barriers to high-quality, in-demand, sustaining- wage careers for North Carolinians.
- Each college will determine grant award amounts based on student needs, local industry needs, number of eligible students, and cost of the course/pathway, up to either $750 per course or the total cost of the course fee(s) if the fee(s) exceeds $750.
- Funds may be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, transportation, childcare, and any other components of the total cost of attendance for students.
- Funds may only support instruction provided directly by NC Community Colleges and may not be used to support students pursuing courses provided by third-party instructional providers.
Complete application and submit to Jennifer Allen allenj@vgcc.edu
2022-2023 GEER II Scholarship Application (Printable PDF)
Golden Leaf Foundation Scholarship
The Golden Leaf Foundation Community College Scholarship is available to students in qualifying counties, who demonstrate financial need.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must me enrolled in a Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) pathway/course offering with at least 96 contact hours and leading to a state or industry-recognized credential
- Reside in one of the qualifying counties
- Be a resident of North Carolina
Programs that will qualify are: Nurse Aide Level I, Nurse Aide Level 2, Phlebotomy, CDL program, Biowork program, Pharmacy Tech.
Complete application and submit to Jennifer Allen allenj@vgcc.edu
Golden LEAF Foundation Scholarship 2022-2023 Application (Printable PDF)
SECU Foundation Scholarship
The SECU Foundation Scholarship has established the SECU Bridge to Career Program to remove financial barriers for students seeking to obtain state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials.
Eligibility for SECU Bridge to Career Program:
- Be a U.S. citizen and a NC resident.
- Be part of one the following target groups: unemployed or underemployed, members of the NC National Guard, military veterans and spouses, or underserved populations in a specific workforce sector or area.
- Be enrolled in short-term training program that leads to an NC Workforce Credential at the Essential or Career level offered through the College’s Workforce Continuing Education Department.
- Not be a Director, employee, or family member of an employee of the State Employee’s Credit Union or SECU Foundation
Complete application and photo release and submit to Jennifer Allen allenj@vgcc.edu
SECU Bridge to Career Application (Printable PDF)
SECU Photo Release Form (Printable PDF)
Short-Term Workforce Development (STWD) Grant program
The short-Term Workforce Development Grant Program, established by Session Law 2021-180 is a state funded financial aid program for eligible Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) students pursing high-demand, family-sustaining wage credentials identified as NC Workforce Credentials at either the Essential or Career level.
Eligibility requirements:
- Be a resident of North Carolina
- Be a student enrolling in Workforce Continuing Education pathways/courses leading to a N.C. Workforce Credential identified as either Essential or Career level.
Complete application and photo release and submit to Jennifer Allen allenj@vgcc.edu
