FAQ About NECC Scholarships

Who is eligible for a Friends of NECC Scholarship?

Current NECC Students who meet all the Friends of NECC Scholarship requirements:

• Must have 9 credits completed at Northern Essex
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Register for Fall 2023 semester for a minimum of 6 credits.
• Submit scholarship essay addressing topics on application

I’m a first-year student. Can I apply for a scholarship?

Yes! NECC offers the First Year Knight’s Scholarship. To view the criteria for this, please visit the First Year Knight’s Scholarship page. 

Does NECC offer any Transfer Scholarships?

NECC offers some transfer scholarship opportunities to students who will be transferring to Baccalaureate programs in the fall directly following their NECC graduation.

What types of scholarships does NECC offer?

NECC offers many types of scholarships including:

• General Scholarships (Requirements: minimum 2.5 GPA, 9 credits completed at Northern Essex, registered for 6 credits.) There is a general application available in our online scholarship system.
• Transfer Scholarships
• Incoming Freshman Scholarships
• Financial Aid C.O.R.E. Scholarship

Where do I get an NECC General Scholarship application?

The online scholarship application form opens up in February. You will login to the scholarship software using your NECC ID and Password.

What do I do once I have a scholarship application?

Complete the online application and submit any additional requirements as needed by the deadline date.

When will I know if I have or have not received a scholarship award?

All students will receive notification whether or not they have received an award by the beginning of July. Please Note: Every scholarship recipient must submit a thank you note addressed “Dear Donor” within two weeks of acceptance.

How will I receive my scholarship award?

Your offer letter will be emailed to you at your student email address. The email will have instructions on how to accept your award. Once all requirements have been met, your award will be applied to your fall bill.

How do I receive my Transfer Scholarship award?

Please Note: Transfer Scholarship recipients must formally accept their award and upload a thank you letter addressed “Dear Donor” within two weeks of acceptance. Then, when their tuition bill becomes available, they must upload it into the scholarship software. Please note the bill must show the student’s name and id, the school’s logo and address to remit payment.
Once Northern Essex receives your bill, your scholarship award will be mailed directly to your school.

What should I write in my personal statement?

Your personal statement helps the scholarship committees get to know you. Your personal statement is where you can stand out from the rest of the applicants.
You must submit ONE essay that discusses the following two topics:

1. Please tell us about your need for financial assistance
2. Please tell us about your interest in your program or major and how NECC has impacted your life.

The essay should be about a page to a page and a half in length.

How do I obtain a letter of reference?

Please ask a current or past faculty member, advisor, or employer to write your letter of reference. (We do not accept references from family members or classmates) Pay attention to scholarship deadlines, and be sure to give the person writing your letter plenty of time to complete it. Be aware that some faculty and staff may be approached by more than one student to write this type letter. It is important to be respectful and appreciative of your reference’s time. You will enter the name and email address of the person writing your letter into your application.

What type of information should be included in a letter of recommendation?

1. Reference’s name and professional title/organization
2. Reference’s relationship to applicant
3. The letter should state how long, and in what context, the reference has known the student
4. The letter should describe any characteristics, personal, professional, or academic, that would make this applicant a good candidate for a scholarship award.

How do I submit my letter of recommendation?

Enter your reference’s name and email address into your online application. A notification will be sent to the reference prompting them to upload your letter. You will be able to view the status of your letter by logging into your application.

I receive Financial Aid, can I apply for a scholarship?

Yes. Receiving Financial Aid does NOT prevent you from applying for a scholarship.

If I do not have Financial Aid, can I apply for a scholarship?

Yes, all eligible NECC students can apply.

Can I apply for a scholarship every year?

Yes. Receiving a scholarship does not prevent you from applying again the next year.