Simpler federal financial aid applications, expanded state scholarship eligibility, and local outreach efforts helped drive a 7.7% increase in FAFSA applications at Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) this academic year.
WPCC Financial Aid Director Jennifer Moua said there were 1,815 applications in the 2024-25 academic year, ending June 30, 2025. The number was up to 1,954 at the end of the 2025-26 year.
More teenagers under 18 and adults over 65 applied for financial aid this year than last, with slight decreases in every age group in between, but the largest percentage of applicants overall are still between the ages of 18 and 24, according to data from WPCC.
Source: Western Piedmont Community College
The deadline to apply for the fall semester at WPCC was June 1.
The data also matches a statewide increase of 11.1% from 2025 to 2026, according to data from the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).
FAFSA is an acronym that stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid,” which provides eligible college students with financial aid assistance.
“(This) is a testament to all the hard work education professionals and other partners are doing to ensure their students know about how to access financial aid and have the support they need to do so,” said NCSEAA Executive Director Mary Shuping. “It also highlights that our efforts to expand access for adult learners are paying dividends in the form of increased FAFSA completions.”
Adult learners are students older than 25.
Moua said many people are seeking higher education for better jobs or new careers due to a higher cost of living.
Plus, the FAFSA Simplification Act made applications easier to complete, Moua said. Changes under this act were implemented in the 2024-25 school year.
Updated NEXT NC scholarship requirements also made more people eligible for financial aid assistance, Moua said.
“It takes a lot of work and dedication from (WPCC), especially the financial aid team when it comes to FAFSA completion,” Moua said. “WPCC has a great financial aid team that goes above and beyond to make sure we are assisting every student that needs assistance whether they are coming to WPCC or not.”
Moua said the WPCC financial aid team also participates in several outreaches at local high schools and community events to answer questions about FAFSA and assist people with applications.
But credit where credit is due: Moua said that while WPCC receives and processes FAFSA applications, “BCPS (Burke County Public Schools) does immense initiations with students/parents/events/etc. to get the FAFSA application to us, such as GEAR UP/Talent Search/etc.”
