At South Piedmont, we know that life doesn’t pause when students decide to go to college. Emergencies such as the loss of a job, car trouble, or medical bills can quickly push a student off track. The North Carolina Finish Line Grant is designed to step in during those unexpected moments so students can stay enrolled and keep moving toward completion.
What is the Finish Line Grant?
The North Carolina Finish Line Grant provides emergency financial assistance to help students stay enrolled when unexpected hardships arise. The grant has a lifetime limit of $2,000, with a maximum of $1,000 available per semester.
Who qualifies?
To be eligible, students must:
- Have experienced an unforeseen financial emergency within the last 30–45 days
- Be currently enrolled in a degree or credential program
- Have a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Not exceed the $1,000 limit
Students must also provide documentation, such as medical bills, repair quotes, termination letters, or other proof of the emergency. While funds cannot be used for items like laptops, the grant can cover many essential, real-life expenses that impact your ability to continue attending classes.
“Real life doesn’t pause just because you’re in school,” said Coordinator of Financial Aid Programs Tammi Smith, “Our goal is to step in during those tough moments so students can stay focused on their education and not feel like one setback will derail their future.”
What emergencies can be covered?
The grant typically helps students with situations such as:
- Injuries or medical emergencies
- Sudden loss of income
- Car repairs
- The inability to pay rent or essential utility bills
- Delayed veteran benefits
Real students, real impact
One student came to South Piedmont after losing her business. Determined to stay afloat, she was working with Uber Eats and Amazon, but her car kept overheating. She couldn’t make money, and she couldn’t afford the repairs. Through the Finish Line Grant, she received funding to fix her car — and because the repair cost was under the $2,000 limit, she was able to use the remaining funds to catch up on her utility bills. That support allowed her to stay in school and keep working toward her goals.
Another student’s car broke down, and although she eventually paid for the repair, it caused her to fall behind on rent and other essential expenses. By applying for the grant quickly and providing the required documentation, she was approved for help that kept her from losing her housing.
Stories like these happen every semester. And each one represents a student who was able to stay enrolled instead of walking away.
If you’re not sure you qualify — reach out
Many students aren’t sure whether their situation qualifies. If you’re facing a challenge that’s affecting your ability to stay in school, we encourage you to reach out. Our Financial Aid team, Advising, and Counselors are here to talk through your options and help you apply if the grant is a good fit. All conversations are private and handled with care.
There are more resources available than you may realize, and our staff will do everything they can to help you find the right support.
How long does it take?
The goal is to help students as quickly as possible. In some cases, approval can happen fast, though the full process may take up to a month. The sooner you apply and provide documentation, the sooner we can help.
Looking Ahead
Now in its fourth year, the Finish Line Grant continues to grow and improve. Over time, the requirements have been simplified — from five qualifying factors to four — to make the grant more accessible to students who need it. South Piedmont is also collaborating with community colleges across the state to advocate for students’ needs and ensure the program keeps removing barriers to completion.
“Our goal is to remove barriers wherever we can,” Smith said. “As the program grows, we’re committed to making the support process even more accessible for students who need it.”
For more information about the North Carolina Finish Line Grant, please contact Tammi Smith at tsmith@spcc.edu.
If you wish to apply for emergency Finish Line Grant funding, please visit: https://etcentral.spcc.edu/#/form/405 and login with your South Piedmont student credentials. Please attach proof of your emergent situation.