School fundingLCCC scholarships
Complete the general scholarship application through your student portal and review awards matched to your program and circumstances. Check each award’s own rules; LCCC’s main instructions call for a completed FAFSA.
FINANCIAL AID + EVERYDAY SUPPORTFAFSA & You.
FAFSA & You.
You deserve
support, too.
Nursing school. Real-life support. No shame.
Tuition is only part of the picture. Food, a bus ride, childcare and a safe place to sleep matter just as much. Asking for help is a practical step toward staying in school.
Resources checked October 30, 2026 · LCCC means Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.
START WITH WHAT YOU NEED
One step is enough for today.
I need help paying for schoolStart with FAFSA, grants and scholarships →I need food, transport or childcareExplore practical support and benefits →Something unexpected happenedFind emergency contacts and next steps →
Support is part of student success. Using a pantry or applying for benefits does not make you less capable, less professional or less deserving of a nursing career. You can start by asking what is available, even when you are unsure whether you qualify.
THE APPLICATION IS FREEFAFSA opens the door.
FAFSA opens the door.
It isn’t the whole journey.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to consider you for federal aid and many state and school funding programs. Submitting it does not require you to accept a loan.
- Choose the year that matches your classes. The 2026–27 form covers July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027; the 2027–28 form covers July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028. Ask Financial Aid which form covers your summer term.
- Use your own StudentAid.gov account. Gather the requested tax and financial records. Any required contributor uses their own account. Never share your login or pay someone to unlock “guaranteed aid.”
- Add your college. LCCC’s federal school code is 006810. Review and submit the form, then check your submission and school messages for any follow-up tasks.
- Complete the next applications. Check LCCC’s scholarship application and Pennsylvania’s grant requirements. A submitted FAFSA does not finish every application.
- Check three deadlines. Federal, state and school deadlines differ; some funding runs out earlier. Use the official deadline pages rather than waiting for the federal cutoff.
Start or return to FAFSA Federal step-by-step help Federal and state deadlines Ask LCCC Financial Aid
Grants & scholarships
Usually do not need repayment when you meet the award’s rules. Some awards have service, enrollment or other conditions.
Work-study
Money earned through an eligible job. An offer does not put wages in your account before you work.
Loans
Borrowed money with repayment terms. Compare the cost, timing and amount you actually need before accepting.
My income changed. My FAFSA doesn’t reflect today.
Submit the FAFSA with the required information, then ask Financial Aid about a special-circumstances review for changes such as reduced income. LCCC also lists a budget increase request. A review is individual and does not guarantee more money.
LCCC forms and special-circumstances appealIf you cannot safely contact a parent, ask the aid office privately about unusual circumstances; do not assume you must abandon the application.
LEHIGH CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGESchool funding 
ADN + practical nursingAsk for a full review 
Unexpected disruption
For eligible SNAP/TANF recipients
Plan the timing
A closer look at your campus options.
School fundingADN + practical nursingNursing-specific awards
Start with these examples in LCCC’s directory:
- Betty Jane Lee: first-year ADN, at least 8 credits, GPA 3.0+, financial need.
- Annabelle B. Creveling: second-year ADN, 9+ credits, GPA 3.0+.
- Search “nursing” for additional ADN and practical-nursing awards.
These are leads, not award promises. Confirm current criteria, timing and availability in the directory.
Ask for a full reviewPell, state grants & school aid
Ask Financial Aid to check Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) eligibility, Pennsylvania State Grant steps and any remaining campus-based funds. Ask about PA Ready to Succeed, other PHEAA programs and scholarships that fit your enrollment and prior education.
If you already have a degree, or study part-time, get an individual review rather than assuming every program applies.
Unexpected disruptionStudent Emergency Fund
LCCC lists emergency assistance for unforeseen events that threaten a student’s education. Awards vary, with a published maximum of $500; applications are considered while funds remain.
Ask what documentation is required and whether your expense fits. Do not count on approval or same-day payment.
For eligible SNAP/TANF recipientsKEYS support
KEYS may help eligible students receiving SNAP or TANF with education-related needs such as books, supplies, childcare and transportation. Some approved supports can include mileage or car repairs.
The County Assistance Office issues benefits, and limits apply. Ask about approval before spending. LCCC KEYS: 610-799-1744.
Plan the timingWork-study & payment options
Explore LCCC work-study jobs that fit lectures and clinicals. Wages are paid for hours worked, not as an upfront grant.
The Cougar Payment Plan spreads tuition payments and has an enrollment fee. The Cougar Emergency Loan Fund is a loan due by semester-end, with restricted uses. Ask for current terms and a realistic repayment plan.
MORE ROUTES WORTH A CONVERSATION
Your circumstances may open another door.
Laid off from work?
LCCC’s Employment Retraining Opportunity lists limited tuition support for qualifying workers laid off by Lehigh or Carbon County employers. Fees and program limits apply.
Check retraining criteria ↗Foster-care experience?
Ask LCCC about the Fostering Independence tuition and mandatory-fee waiver and related support. Eligibility and coordination with other aid need a school review.
Explore tuition-waiver information ↗Military or veteran connection?
Ask the college’s Veteran & Military Services team to review your education benefits and scholarship options. LCCC’s emergency-scholarship page also lists a veterans emergency fund.
Veteran emergency support ↗This is a starting directory, not every possible award. Ask Financial Aid to review your complete situation, including transfer plans, disability-related costs, program requirements and any other support you already receive.
EVERYDAY LIFE COUNTSLCCC Cougar Cabinet 
Pennsylvania benefitsBus passes + transport Child Care Works + KEYS Other PA programs Near LCCC and beyond
Food. A ride. Care. A little breathing room.
LCCC Cougar CabinetGroceries, with dignity
LCCC describes its pantry visits as free and confidential. Bring your LCCC ID and complete the pantry’s declaration form; proof of financial need is not required. Food and personal-care supplies can help stretch the week.
Check current locations and hours before traveling. Community Resources: 610-799-1087 or communityresources@lccc.edu.
Pennsylvania benefitsSNAP / food stamps / EBT
SNAP helps eligible households buy food. EBT is the card system used to access approved benefits—not a separate food-aid program.
College students can face special eligibility rules. Possible routes include qualifying work-study, work, caregiving, age/disability or approved career-focused community-college study. Income, household, meal-plan and other rules still apply. Nursing enrollment alone does not guarantee approval.
Ask LCCC and DHS whether your program meets a student exemption and whether school verification is needed. Apply even if unsure; DHS makes the decision.
Bus passes + transportA ride to class or clinicals
LCCC lists reduced-price bus passes through its Business Office. Ask about current pass options and cost: 610-799-1157.
KEYS may support approved transportation for eligible participants. Check the actual route, first/last bus and clinical start time; a campus bus route may not serve your placement.
Child Care Works + KEYSChildcare that supports study
Ask your local Early Learning Resource Center about Child Care Works, and KEYS about any approved childcare support. Eligibility can depend on income and work/training hours; attending college by itself does not guarantee coverage.
Confirm copays, provider eligibility, availability and coverage for your clinical schedule before making arrangements.
Other PA programsHealth, heating & family needs
Check Medical Assistance for health coverage; LIHEAP for seasonal home-heating help; WIC for eligible pregnant/postpartum people, infants and young children; and TANF cash assistance for qualifying families.
Each has its own application and eligibility rules. Check current intake windows and funding with the program.
Near LCCC and beyondHousing, internet & local help
PA 211 can connect you with local food, housing, utility, transportation and technology resources. Call 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211. The referral service is free and confidential; individual programs set availability.
Outside Pennsylvania, start with your school’s basic-needs office and your state’s benefits agency.
LOOKING BEYOND CAMPUSFunding with a commitment 
National + service obligationBeyond one college Questions worth asking
More paths into nursing—and onward.
Funding with a commitmentGrow PA Scholarship Grant
Qualifying PA students in approved programs may receive up to $5,000 a year. LCCC lists nursing among the in-demand fields. Confirm your exact program and eligibility with Financial Aid and PHEAA.
Read the obligation: recipients must meet graduation and Pennsylvania work/residency requirements. Failure can convert the award to a repayable loan. Ask how this fits any other service commitment before signing.
National + service obligationNurse Corps Scholarship
HRSA’s competitive program can cover tuition, eligible costs and a stipend in exchange for service at an eligible facility with a critical nursing shortage. The minimum service commitment is two years.
The award is taxable and has contractual obligations. Review the current guidance and eligible program rules. At review, HRSA’s scholarship overview listed no open scholarship applications; check for the next cycle.
Beyond one collegeNational nursing scholarships
The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association supports nursing education through undergraduate scholarships. Use its official application and confirm the current cycle, eligible program types and required documents.
Also ask your nursing department about local foundations, nursing associations and transfer-school awards for an ADN-to-BSN path.
Questions worth askingEmployer & workforce routes
Ask hospital recruitment or HR about tuition assistance, paid student roles, externships and nursing-school sponsorship. Ask your local workforce office whether your program qualifies for training assistance.
Get the terms in writing: payment timing, covered fees, grade requirements, work schedule, employment commitment and repayment if you leave. These are leads to investigate, not confirmed offers for every student.
MAKE ROOM TO BREATHEExplore verified nurse and student discounts →
Living on less, without blaming yourself.
These are planning ideas, not a test of discipline. If the essentials cost more than you have, the next step is support—not guilt.
Plan around money that has arrived.
List reliable income and payment dates. Keep pending aid, a hoped-for scholarship and available credit separate from cash you can use today. Ask when aid will actually reach you.
Protect the essentials first.
Write down food, housing, utilities, medication, childcare and transport to required learning. Contact providers early if a bill will be late, and ask about hardship options before a shutoff or missed payment.
Include the nursing extras.
Budget for required scrubs/shoes, clearances, CPR, testing, equipment, clinical travel and licensing costs. Ask what the school or an award can cover before buying.
Borrow or share where allowed.
Ask about library reserves, loaned devices, used approved books and free school tutoring. Verify editions, access-code rules and uniform requirements first. Never share a paid login against its terms.
Choose work that fits learning.
Compare take-home pay after transport and childcare. Protect sleep and required clinical attendance. Speak to Financial Aid before dropping credits or withdrawing, because aid and repayment can change.
Ask one person to help connect the dots.
A campus basic-needs specialist, aid advisor or caseworker can help coordinate next steps. Ask how wages, scholarships and aid refunds must be reported for your specific benefits.
YOU CAN ASK TODAY
Food running out? A bill threatening school?
For local basic-needs referrals, call 211 or text your ZIP to 898-211. For LCCC food and community support, call 610-799-1087. For an unexpected expense, ask about the Student Emergency Fund. These services are not guaranteed same-day funding.
A simple way to start the conversation
“I’m a nursing student and my budget is making it hard to stay in school. Could you help me check scholarships, emergency support, food and transportation options? What is the first step, and what documents should I bring?”
You do not have to tell NCLEX101 your income, immigration information, benefit status or personal story to use this guide. Submit applications and sensitive documents only through the official provider’s secure process.
SMALL STEPS COUNT
My next-step checklist.
Use this while you browse, or print the page. Checkmarks reset when you leave or reload; no answers are stored or submitted.
0 of 6 steps marked.
LCCC Financial Aid
610-799-1133 · finaid@mymail.lccc.edu
Ask: “Could you review all the funding and basic-needs support I may qualify for, and explain my next steps?”
This independent NCLEX101 guide is not an LCCC or government service. Eligibility, funds, deadlines and program terms can change. Check the linked official pages and the provider before relying on an award. FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Education.