TYPES OF FUNDING

The financial aid officers at North Carolina’s independent colleges and universities work hard to make sure that attending our colleges is affordable for you and your family. To accomplish this task, they typically will use a combination of four categories of funding options.

GRANTS

Grants are funds given to students that do not have to be repaid. These funds are subject to availability and often are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Their guidelines for eligibility can be quite strict. For instance, students may have to demonstrate financial need, complete a minimal amount of credit hours each academic term, or pursue a specific program of study to qualify. Your financial aid office will automatically consider your eligibility for each of the grants listed below, and notify you if you qualify for them.

Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants form the foundation of federal student financial aid for undergraduates. Unlike a loan, Pell Grants do not have to be repaid. The amount a student receives depends on his or her level of need, status as a full-time or part-time student, and the amount of time he or she intends to be enrolled in college.

The maximum award amount is given for any Pell Grant eligible student whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept.11, 2001. Students must be under 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time in college at the time of the parent/guardian’s death.

Learn more about Pell Grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Student Aid website.

North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship
North Carolina residents who apply to NCICU colleges and universities are also automatically considered for state assistance through the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship (NCNBS).

FSEOG: Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
FSEOGs are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need—those with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) numbers. Like Pell Grants, FSEOGs do not have to be repaid, and awards range from $100 to $4,000 a year depending on a number of factors, including the amount of other aid you’re receiving. Not every institution participates in the FSEOG program, and funds are limited, so it’s important to apply early for this program.

Learn more about FSEOGs from the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Student Aid website.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
Students who are not eligible for a Pell Grant, but whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, may be eligible for this grant. To be eligible, you must be under 24 years old or enrolled in college, at least part-time, at the time of your parent/guardian’s death. The amount of the grant will be equal to the maximum Pell Grant for the award year, although the amount will not exceed the cost of attendance for that award year.

 

Learn more about this grant on the Federal Student Aid website.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are monetary awards that you are not expected to repay. Like grants, usually these have strict guidelines for eligibility and often a rigorous selection process. Nonetheless, most students and families find that the process is definitely worthwhile. In this section, we’ve included summaries of the different types available.

We have also provided examples of specific NCICU scholarships. Financial aid offices at each of our colleges and universities automatically select eligible students for these scholarships. Other scholarships, such as those offered through outside institutions or your college or university, might require an application. Contact your financial aid office for more information. You can also search available grants and scholarships at CFNC.org.

Discipline-Specific Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to students who plan to pursue a specific career or field of study, often in areas that are in high demand, such as nursing, education, science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Common examples include the following:

• Duke Energy Scholarships are awarded to math and science majors or teacher education majors with concentrations in math or science.

• Pfizer Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in a physical science.

College-Specific Scholarships
These scholarships are sponsored by your college or alumni of your college. You should check with the financial aid office of your chosen college for information regarding any college-specific scholarships for which you might qualify.

Merit-Based Scholarships
This type of scholarship is awarded to students based on their demonstrated academic, artistic, athletic, or other ability. One example is the following:

• Burlington Industries Foundation Scholarship is awarded to the most eligible student who is a child of an active employee at International Textiles Group. You must attend Greensboro College, Guilford College, High Point University, North Carolina State University, Philadelphia University, or University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

Need-Based Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded based on the financial need demonstrated by students or their families.

Other Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of characteristics that are unique to a specific group of students, such as gender, ethnicity, or religion. Examples of this type of scholarship include:

• NC REACH is a scholarship program available to students who have either aged out of North Carolina public foster care or whose adoption from North Carolina public foster care was finalized on or after their twelfth birthday.

• Bridgestone/Firestone Scholarships are awarded to students with financial need who are residents of Edgecombe, Greene, Johnston, Nash, Pitt, Wayne, or Wilson Counties, have a minimum of a 3.00 GPA, and are from underrepresented populations or are disadvantaged students.

• UPS Foundation Scholarships provide support to students primarily from underserved and disadvantaged populations and communities.

Scholarships Available Through NCICU

LOANS

STUDENT LOANS
Unlike grants or scholarships, student loans are monetary awards that students and their families are expected to repay. Loans are legal obligations, so before you take out a student loan, you should consider carefully the amount that you will be able to repay as well as the various lending options.
Student loans come in several forms. Here are a few sources to help you on your way:

Loan Programs is a publication of College Foundation of North Carolina to guide students and their families through the lending process in North Carolina.
The Federal Student Aid website offers detailed information about federal loans and other types of aid.

 

FORGIVABLE LOANS
Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) are loans for students pursuing degrees in nursing, teaching, allied health, or medicine. These loans are forgiven if you work in an approved position in your field in North Carolina for each year you received the loan.

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY

Federal work-study awards give students the opportunity to gain part-time work experience in their field at an hourly rate equal to or higher than federal minimum wage, depending on the type of work and the skills required. To be considered for this type of funding, you must indicate that you’re interested in work-study on your FAFSA.

The total award depends not only on your financial need, but also on the amount that has been awarded to your college by the Department of Education. After funds are awarded to the college or university, it’s up to that institution to administer the funds. Once those funds have been administered, no other students can participate in work-study during that year. The key is to complete and send in your FAFSA early. Click here to get started.

Types of Funding