State Student Aid Programs

Summer, 2012

2012-2013 State Aid Programs

State Aid Programs for North Carolinians

• Scholarships and Grants

• Forgivable Loan Programs

• Methodologies

2012-2013 State Aid Programs

State Aid Programs for North Carolinians

• North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS)

• North Carolina Community College Grant (CC)

• The University of North Carolina Need-Based Grant (UNC)

• North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship (NBS)

2012-2013 State Aid Programs

State Aid Programs for North Carolinians (continued)

• NC Reach (Child Welfare Postsecondary Support Program)

• Golden LEAF Scholarship

• NC Student Assistance Program (NCTAP)

• Other North Carolina programs are described in Student Financial Aid for North Carolinians available at CFNC.org/fabook

North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS)

• Created by the 2005 General Assembly to provide financial assistance to needy North Carolina resident students.

• Eligibility– Be NC resident for tuition purposes – Enroll at least half-time – Undergraduate student with no prior bachelor’s degree– Beginning in 2012-13, enrolled in NC Community College or

UNC institution– Meet all Pell Grant eligibility rules (except EFC)– EFC less than or equal 5000 – Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements– Limited to maximum of eight (full-time) semesters or

equivalent

ELS

• Value– Varies according to EFC information generated from the FAFSA– Awards for part-time students are prorated 50%

• Application Procedure– Complete the FAFSA and list eligible campus

• Goal is to give needy NC residents minimum grants of $3,400 – If Pell is $1,900, Education Lottery Scholarship is $1,500– If Pell is $800, Education Lottery Scholarship is $2,600– If Pell is greater than or equal to $3,400, then no state funds are

needed to build the promised foundation– So, every eligible student whose family can afford $5,000 or less will

receive grants of at least $3,400 (from Pell, from State Lottery, or in combination of the two) • Pell + ELS > $3,400

• Administered by CFI under direction of NCSEAA

North Carolina Community College Grant

• Created by the General Assembly in 1999

• Eligibility requirements for the Grant program– Be NC resident for tuition purposes– Undergraduate w/ no prior earned bachelor’s degree– Enroll at least half-time– Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements– Meet all Pell Grant eligibility rules (except EFC)

North Carolina Community College Grant

• Value– Varies according to information generated from FAFSA– Awards for part-time students are prorated

• ¾-time 75%• Half-time 50%

• Application Procedure– Complete the FAFSA and list a NC community college

• Goal is to provide need-based assistance for community college students with Pell Grants and Lottery Scholarships totaling less than $4350– Raises the floor provided by Lottery + Pell of $3400– Maximum grant is $950– Designed to supplement, not replace federal aid

• Administered by CFI under direction of NCSEAA

– ….

North Carolina Community College Grant

Student A

Student B Student C

EFC 1400 3500 5200

Pell 4,200 2,100Not Elig--EFC

>4995

Lottery Sch 0 1,300 Not Elig--EFC > 5000

CC Grant 150 950 650Total 4,350 4,350 650

For 2012-2013, students with EFCs of 5000 or less receive at least $4,350* using Pell, Community College Grant and Education Lottery Scholarship

*Students with EFCs of 5001 to 6000 receive $650 from CC grant only.

The University of North Carolina System Need-Based Grant

• Established to provide need-based financial assistance for students enrolled at one of the 16 campuses of The University of North Carolina

• Eligibility – Be NC resident for tuition purposes– Enroll at least half-time– Undergraduate w/ no prior earned bachelor’s degree– Have documented unmet need determined by program

formula– Consideration for grant automatic after FAFSA filed– Applicants should apply by standard UNC priority deadline,

March 1• Funding is expected to be available for a later applicants

but early application is encouraged.

The University of North Carolina System Need-Based Grant

• Value

– Maximum grant for 2012-2013 is $4,200 / minimum is $500;– Awards for part-time students are prorated 50%

• Application Procedure

– Complete the FAFSA and list a UNC institution

• Administered by CFI for SEAA/UNC General Administration

Student Aat School 1

Student Bat School 2

5,619

Tuition/fees (varies by UNC institution; value is 73.5% of the UNC BOG ‘s approved tuition & fees) 4,473

+

10,041 Living allowance (standard for all UNCs) + 10,041

15,660 Cost of attendance 14,514

- 500 Family Contribution (State formula, not

federal) - 5,500

- 3,100 Pell Grant Amount - 0

- 300 Education Lottery Scholarship - 0

- 5,200 Self help (standard assumption for all students) - 5,200

-950 Estimated tax credit

($950 for Pell recipients; $1,800 for non-Pell recipients) -

1,800

= 5,610 Raw UNC Grant Calculation = 2,014

= $4,200 Actual UNC Grant AmountCurrent min/max of $500/$4200 for 2012-13

= $2,014

The University of North Carolina Need-Based Grant

NC Need-Based Scholarship

• Effective for 2012-13

• Eligible Institutions:– Private non-profit institutions who participated in NCLTG /SCSF– Mid-Atlantic Christian University & The College at Southeastern– Nursing Schools– Hospital Schools

• Funding amounts are variable from $1,200 to $7,000– Students enrolled at least ¾ time will receive 50% of award

NC Need-Based Scholarship

• Students complete FAFSA to be considered.

• Eligibility– Be legal NC resident and NC resident for tuition purposes– Have Federal EFC less than an amount set annually by the

Authority• EFC cannot exceed cost of attendance for UNC campuses• For 2012-13, EFC must be less than/equal to 15000• Undergraduate student in matriculated Status (in a defined

program of study leading to a degree, diploma or certificate);

• Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements• Meets all Pell Grant eligibility rules (except EFC)

Funding Limits Established for UNCNBG and NBS

• Enrollment limit to receive certain grants for baccalaureate degree

– Programs Affected• UNC Need-Based Grant• NC Need-Based Scholarship

– Limits• 9 semesters (full-time) for a four-year degree program• 11 semesters (full-time) for a five-year degree program• Prorated if students are enrolled less than full-time

– Lottery Scholarship has always had an eight semester limit

ELS, UNCNBG, CCG , NBSCertification of Student Eligibility

• Institutional Responsibilities

– Execute a Participation Agreement (one-time), if required – FAA certifies student eligibility on the Web

• www.cfnc.org/home/info_faa.jsp• Pell eligible except for EFC (not applicable for UNCNB)• NC resident for tuition purposes• Correct enrollment status• Same ISIR transaction used for federal and state awards

– Disburse funds to student accounts within ten days– Refund money within prescribed timeframes– Maintain records– Be available for reviews and audits

• Training available—– Contact CFNC regional representative or call 888-234-

6400

ELS, UNCNBG, CCG, NBS Federal Aid Eligibility Requirements

Meets all of the requirements for the Federal Pell Grant, with exception

of EFC

• Student must:– Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment for the purpose of obtaining

a degree or certificate– Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or have been home-

schooled– Not be simultaneously enrolled in elementary or secondary school– Not already have a bachelor’s degree– Be U.S. citizen, national, or eligible noncitizen– Have valid Social Security Number (SSN)– Be registered with Selective Service, if required– File Statement of Educational Purpose (on FAFSA)

ELS, UNCNBG, CCG and NBS Federal Aid Eligibility Requirements

• Student must:– Not be in default on Title IV loan or owe overpayment on Title IV

grant– Not have borrowed in excess of annual or aggregate loan limits– Not have property subject to lien for debt owed to U.S. (i.e. lien

placed as result of student failing to pay federal tax debt or make satisfactory arrangements to pay)

– Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress– Not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere (no contest) or

guilty to a crime involving fraud in obtaining Title IV Funds• Ineligible until fraudulently obtained funds completely repaid

to Secretary or loan holder(s)• Not be in violation of the drug conviction restrictions for Pell

eligibility • Any other Pell eligibility restrictions not listed here; consult the

most recent FSA Handbook and ED guidance for updates and changes

600% Pell Limitation and State Grant Programs

• For these programs, students must be Pell-eligible (except for EFC):– NC Education Lottery Scholarship– NC Community College Grant– NC Need-Based Scholarship

Student is eligible for full state grant for each semester that there is any remaining Pell eligibility

If student is ineligible for Pell due to the 600% limitation, the student is not eligible for ELS, CC and/or NBS.

• This program requires students to be Title IV eligible:– UNC Need-Based Grant

Students can be eligible for full state regardless of the 600% Pell limitation.

600% Pell Limitation and State Grant Programs

• Links to helpful information about LEU:

• http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/021712PreliminaryInfoImpl12SemesterFedPellGrant.html

• http://www.ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/040612CODSysAprilImplementation.html

• http://www.ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/attachments/040612CalPGLifetimeEligUsedSAOTWPage.pdf

Return of Funds

• State Grant Return of Funds Policy

– Policy has been proposed to the NC Community College System and the UNC System for consideration and adoption

– Policy will be used for SEAA programs, also

– Will be consistent across state grant programs

John B. McLendon Scholarship Fund

• Two leadership scholarships at each of North Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities

– One each for a male and female student athlete • Bennett College for Women will receive two

scholarships for female athletes

• Eligibility– Must have been enrolled for at least two semesters– Must be varsity athlete

• Value– Maximum award of $ 1,250 per academic year

• $300 for 2012-13

• Recipients are selected by their colleges

UNC Campus Scholarships

• Established in 2002 by the General Assembly through the consolidation of several programs

• Designed to promote diversity on 16 NC constituent campuses

• Provide funding for undergraduate and doctoral students

• Eligibility– Must be North Carolina resident for tuition purposes– Each campus drafted and submitted a plan to the

president of UNC describing the eligibility criteria for their program.

• Award amount determined by the institution

• Interested students should contact the institution’s financial aid office

Golden LEAF Scholars Program — Four-Year Public and Independent Institutions

• Administered by NCSEAA on behalf of the Golden LEAF Foundation

• Scholarships available for students attending qualifying institutions, NC public universities and NCICU institutions (including Louisburg)

• Eligibility:– Be a high school senior enrolling full-time as a first-year student or a community college transfer student enrolling for the first time at any participating NC college or university in the fall of 2012– Be NC resident for tuition purposes– Reside in one of 78 qualifying rural counties (listed on CFNC)– Demonstrate financial need. Students MUST submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for this scholarship

• Value of real property owned by farm families not considered when determining financial need

Golden LEAF Scholars Program — Four-Year Public and Independent Institutions

• Eligibility: – Present satisfactory record of academic achievement and community service– Submit an online application available at www.CFNC.org/goldenleaf– Not already have a bachelors degree– Not in default on federal or state student loans

• Emphasis on leadership development; program developed by the Center for Creative Leadership

• Maximum awards:– Up to $12,000 scholarship over four years ($3000/year)– Transfer students will receive less than four years of funding

Two-Year Colleges Golden LEAF Scholars Program

• Administered by the individual community colleges on behalf of the Golden LEAF Foundation

• Applications obtained from and submitted to the individual community colleges

• Must reside in one of 78 qualifying rural counties (listed on CFNC)

• Eligibility requirements– Enroll in a NC community college during the 2012-13 academic year– Permanent resident of a qualifying rural county– Demonstrate financial need– Curriculum students selected based on their financial need.

Degree- seeking students must be enrolled as full-time students in order to receive the maximum scholarship award

– Grants for less than full-time are prorated

Two-Year Colleges Golden LEAF Scholars Program

(continued) • Eligibility requirements (continued)

– Occupational Education students must demonstrate financial need under the federal TRIO formula and be enrolled in a credentialing program of at least 96 hours.

• Maximum Awards:– Curriculum students-- $750/semester– Occupational Educational Students--$250/semester

Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies; and with special provisions, childcare and transportation expenses.

NC Tuition Assistance Program (NCTAP)

• General Assembly established program of tuition assistance for qualifying guard members

• Purpose is to encourage voluntary membership in the guard, improve educational level of guard members and benefit the State

• Eligibility requirements– Be an active drilling member of the NC Army or Air National Guard– Remain a member of the National Guard for two years following the end of the academic period for which tuition assistance is provided – Enroll in an eligible institution (public or private) located within the state of NC– Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of institution

NC Tuition Assistance Program (NCTAP) • Maximum awards:

– Up to amount of tuition and fees per academic year– If tuition is less, difference paid may be disbursed to school to reimburse soldiers for required books and materials– Subject to availability of funds

• Application procedure: – Complete and submit application available online at: CFNC.org/seaastudent– Army Guard members must be considered for Federal benefits before NCTAP Assistance benefits can be considered. Army Guard members must apply for Federal tuition assistance through the GoArmy (GoArmyED.com) portal

• Contact State Tuition Assistance (NCTAP) Manager Stacy Steinmetz (919) 664-6000 ext. 46649 stacy.steinmetz@us.army.mil

NC Reach (Child Welfare Postsecondary Support

Program) • 2007 NC General Assembly established funding for students

who:– Have aged out of NC public foster care or– Were adopted from foster care after age twelve

• Eligibility requirements– Age 18 – 25 and meet criteria above – Enroll at least half-time in NC Community College or UNC

campus, seeking undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate– Compliant with registration requirements for Selective Service– Not in default nor owe refund under any federal or state loan

or grant programs

• Maximum value: Cost of Attendance minus other aid• Applications and additional information

www.ncreach.org

Resources

• NCSEAA.edu– Program Information – http://www.ncseaa.edu/Program_Information.htm

• CFNC.org– Grant & Loan Processing System and SEAA School Portal –

www.cfnc.org/extranet/adminconsole/login.jsp

Resources

Via the CFI Grant System under Publications/Grant Certification:

Publically accessible resources:

• CFNC.org– Grants and Scholarships

www.cfnc.org/paying/schol/info_schol.jsp

– CC www.cfnc.org/ncccg – ELS www.cfnc.org/els– FELS www.cfnc.org/fels– Golden LEAF www.cfnc.org/goldenleaf– NC REACH www.cfnc.org/ncreach – UNC Need-Based www.cfnc.org/uncnb– NC Need-Based Scholarship– www.cfnc.org/nbs