Students interested in attending classes at Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, for the spring semester, which starts Jan. 15, 2021, have a variety of funding and scholarship opportunities to help pay for tuition and fees.

In addition, specific funds are available to help students with the unique circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, with funds to help not only with tuition, but also rent, food, technology and child care.

Scholarships are awarded for academic achievement or may be based on financial need.

Some are need-based, program-specific or demographic specific.

To determine need, both new and continuing students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is available at fafsa.gov.

The Start Here scholarship pays for tuition and can be used to purchase a laptop and/or textbooks.

The LCCC Foundation has established the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund, which will help students pay for what they need to stay in school: tuition, books, food, child care or rent.

Additional funds are designated for students who have been specifically affected by the pandemic and can support a variety of needs, as well.

In addition there are emergency grants available to help students facing unforeseen circumstances and also specifically for veterans.

Funds are available through a federal grant to help students pay for child-care expenses.

And, a National Science Foundation scholarship supports students who demonstrate financial need and are majoring in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields.

For information on applying for scholarships, go to LCCC.edu/scholarships or contact the Financial Aid Office at 610-799-1133 or finaid@mymail.lccc.edu.