It takes about 10 minutes to find out. Seriously.
Wait, really? College could cost me nothing?
Here’s the simple version: if your household makes $80,000 or less a year, there’s a very good chance you qualify for money that covers your tuition and fees at Forsyth Tech — completely. And if you end up with extra funds left over, that money can go toward books, gas, groceries, or childcare while you’re in school.
The best part? It’s a scholarship, not a loan. You never pay it back.
What do I actually have to do?
Step 1:
Fill out the FAFSA
This is the one form that unlocks everything — federal aid, state aid, and NextNC all at once. It’s free, and it’s the only thing you need to fill out.
Step 2:
Apply to Forsyth Tech
If you haven’t already, submit your application. It’s free to apply, and it’s simpler than people expect.
Step 3:
That’s it.
Once you’ve done both, Forsyth Tech’s financial aid office automatically checks whether you qualify. If you do, the scholarship is applied straight to your bill. You don’t have to track anything down or ask for it separately.
What’s the catch?
Honestly — there isn’t one. A few things worth knowing:
The FAFSA is the application.
To get the maximum award, submit your FAFSA by August 15 for the upcoming academic year. You can still apply after that date, but funds are awarded in the order applications come in, so earlier is better.
Adults heading back to school, career-changers, and GED completers are all welcome to apply.
How much money are we talking about?
Eligible students attending Forsyth Tech can receive at least $3,000 a year — which is more than what a full year of tuition and fees typically costs at a North Carolina community college.
In practice, that means many students end up with tuition and fees 100% covered.
MYTH-BUSTING
You might be surprised. The $80,000 household income guideline covers a large share of North Carolina families. It’s worth 10 minutes to check rather than assume.
Not at all. If you’re a North Carolina resident with a high school diploma or GED, you can apply, regardless of how long ago you graduated.
Nope. If you listed Forsyth Tech on your FAFSA, you’re automatically considered. Nothing extra required.
You can still receive a partial award if you’re enrolled part-time (at least 6 credit hours per semester).
Your next chapter could cost a lot less than you think.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take the first step — and it starts with one free form.