Financial support is available to NC State students that makes a college education affordable. Funding for student aid comes from the federal and state governments, from the college and its foundation, and from private sources. Types of available aid include grants and scholarships, loans, and part-time employment. The college’s financial aid office oversees and coordinates the administration of financial aid programs at the college; contact the office for further information.
The availability of financial aid and the policies governing the administration of financial aid programs are subject to change.
General Aid Eligibility Requirements
- High school graduate or GED recipient
- Admitted as a regular North Central State College student
- Seeking to earn a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, or aid-eligible certificate at the college
- Making satisfactory academic progress as defined by the college
- Other criteria may apply
Applying for Aid
- FAFSA (federal aid application) – submit electronically at fafsa.gov at least two months prior to the start of the semester for which aid is desired.
- High school transcript (showing date of graduation) or GED certificate – submit to the college’s admissions office.
- Scholarships and Employment – additional applications are required.
The entire application process, other than #2, must be repeated each academic year.
Grants and Scholarships
Grants
Grants are “gift” or “free” aid provided by the federal and state governments which only rarely have to be repaid.
- Federal Pell Grant: Amounts set annually; awarded to both full and part-time students; amount varies with level of enrollment and extent of FAFSA-demonstrated need.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Awards are made to those with the greatest financial need.
Scholarships Funded by the College
Tuition Freedom Scholarship
The Tuition Freedom Scholarship is awarded to those who have participated in College Credit Plus courses while in high school or who have articulated credit from a career center. The TFS pays the base cost of tuition charges (the sum of general and instructional fees) which are not paid for by other free financial aid. Tuition Freedom covers up to 64 credit hours minus the credits taken as a CCP student or for which articulated credit is awarded. Full time enrollment is required.
For more information about the College Credit Plus program, see www.ncstatecollege.edu/ccp/.
ReConnect to College Scholarship
The ReConnect scholarship assists former students of the college, age 25 and older, who have not earned a degree, but are close to completing degree requirements.
Scholarships Funded by the College’s Foundation
Benefactor-funded
The North Central State College Foundation receives funds from supporters of the college and, in turn, provides merit, need-based, and general financial assistance to over one hundred NC State students each year. Scholarships are available for students who are new, current, or previously enrolled at NC State. Scholarships are available to both full and part-time students.
Application forms and complete details about foundation scholarships are available on the college website.
Necessities Fund
This is a loan that can be forgiven. Students who have little or no eligibility for federal grants, but do have a specific financial obstacle to attending the college, may apply for a loan from the Necessities Fund. While this is a loan, it will be forgiven (will not have to be repaid) if the borrower graduates from the college within four years of receiving funding. Contact the foundation office for details.
Emergency Loan Fund
Short‐term, small amount funding is available to assist eligible students who encounter an unusual expense that might prevent them from continuing to attend the college. Loans will not be approved for typical college expenses (e.g., tuition and books) or for daily living expenses. Repayment is required within 60 days. An application form is available in the financial aid office.
Student Loans
Repayment is required for student loans, and therefore, they are a “last resort” type of financial aid. Complete student loan information is available on the College website at www.ncstatecollege.edu/ admissions-and-aid/financial-aid/loans.
- Federal Direct Student Loans: Federally funded; must be enrolled at least half-time; eligibility varies with year in college and dependency status; repayment begins six months after last date of at least half-time enrollment. Direct Loans are offered to eligible students and must be formally accepted.
- Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (FPLUS): Federally funded; made to parents of dependent students; requires credit check. Contact the financial fid office for program details and a request form.
- Private (alternative) Loans: Made by commercial lenders; not subject to federal financial aid rules and protections; requires credit check and often a co-borrower. Contact the financial aid office for details.
The last day to accept an offered student loan or apply for an increased loan amount is the Friday of the third week of the semester.
Student Employment
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program is federally and college funded. The program provides part-time employment on and off campus for students who demonstrate federally-defined need. Applications are available at the financial aid office. Work-Study students will be required to maintain half-time enrollment; other eligibility criteria apply. View complete details at www.ncstatecollege.edu/ admissions-and-aid/financial-aid/federal-work-study.
Return/Repayment of Financial Aid Funds
(Title IV Refund Policy)
Should a student withdraw from or stop attending all classes, s/he may be required to return some or all awarded financial aid. A federal formula determines to amount to be returned, and that amount will be billed to the student.
Veterans’ Benefits
Military veterans and their dependents may be eligible for educational benefits from the United States Veterans Administration (VA) while attending the college. The financial aid office certifies to the VA recipient eligibility relating to enrollment. Those seeking benefits should note:
- Students must apply on-line at www.gibill.va.gov.
- Processing time of applications for VA benefits may take eight weeks or longer.
- The VA will notify applicants directly about their eligibility for benefits.
- Benefits will only be provided for courses required for the (one) major for which the recipient has been approved.
- The financial aid office certifies enrollment for the VA, but the office is not a full-service veterans’ affairs department.
To maintain eligibility for VA benefits, the recipient must:
- Progress toward completing an educational objective
- Attend the classes for which s/he is registered
- Notify the financial aid office of all enrollment activity including registering, adding, dropping, and repeating courses, and changes of major or catalog year.
- Notify the financial aid office of all personal information changes including address, phone number, etc.
Veterans Benefits and Transaction Act of 2018
North Central State College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the college due to the delayed disbursement of a payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
More information about the college’s compliance with the Act is found at http://ncstatecollege.edu/documents/President/PoliciesProcedures/PolicyManual/Final%20PDFs/PoliciesManual_TOC.pdf
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