The John M Belk Endowment is giving $10 million to help community college students in North Carolina complete their degrees.
Most of that money will go toward creating a dozen centers throughout the state that connect students with resources to help stabilize their finances. That may include finding financial aid for tuition, but also identifying tax credits and benefits like food stamps and Medicaid they aren’t currently tapping.
John M Belk Endowment Director Kristy Teskey says the group is intentionally focusing on community colleges.
"They work directly with the workforce and then align what they do with people by building their skill sets and getting jobs that are liveable wage and sustain families," says Teskey. "That’s what we want to do to build North Carolina’s economy."
Some historically black colleges and veterans centers will also get these sites. Where they’re located should be decided by the end of the summer.
