To be eligible for most financial assistance, students must meet the following requirements:

• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a high school diploma or GED (pass a test approved by the U.S. Department of Education, meet other standards the state estabilishes that the Department approves, or complete a high school education in a home setting that is treated as such under state law.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in and eligible degree or certificate program.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Have a valid Social Security number (with exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school.

Entering students must also meet all admission requirements (see program descriptions). Returning students must be in good academic standing. That is, they must be meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements for financial aid recipients. These requirements are found in the college catalog.

The Financial Aid office processes applications throughout the academic year however, students should complete the FAFSA application as soon after January 1st as possible for aid for the following fall semester. It is important to know that once a FAFSA application is submitted, it typically takes 3-5 days for the application to process, but could take longer. Delayed completion can decrease a student’s chance of receiving some types of financial aid such as federal work-study, federal supplemental grants, North Carolina state grants, and scholarships.

Your dependency status (add this link for “dependency status”: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency) determines whose information you must report when you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

If you’re a dependent student, you will report your and your parents’ information.

If you’re an independent student, you will report your own information (and, if you’re married, your spouse’s).

The federal student aid programs are based on the concept that it is primarily your and your family’s responsibility to pay for your education. A dependent student is assumed to have the support of parents, so the parents’ information has to be assessed along with the student’s, in order to get a full picture of the family’s financial strength. If you’re a dependent student, it doesn’t mean your parents are required to pay anything toward your education; this information is simply used to determine the student’s maximum eligibility for federal student aid.

If the student feels that they have unusual circumstances that would make them independent, they should make an appointment with the Director of Financial Aid to discuss their situation.

If the student or their family has experienced a significant reduction in family income since the prior year income reported on the FAFSA, they may request consideration for financial aid based on the current year situation. Examples of reasons for change are unemployment, divorce, separation, death, disability, high medical expenses, etc. Students should make an appointment with the Director of Financial Aid to discuss their change in circumstances. Additional documentation will be required to support any request for a reduction in income.

Financial aid from most of the student aid programs is awarded on the basis of financial need. The information reported by the student on the FAFSA is used in certain formulas, passed into law by Congress, that calculate the student’s need and eligibility. Eligibility for the Pell Grant program is determined by a formula and depends on a number called the EFC (Expected Family Contribution). If this number is low enough, the student will be eligible for a Pell Grant. The lower the number, the larger the grant award will be. If this number is higher than a certain number, the student will not be eligible for the Pell Grant. There is not a minimum or maximum EFC in determining eligibility for the campus-based aid programs. The financial need is determined by using the following equation: Cost of Education, less Expected Family Contribution, equals Financial Need.

Effective for the 2024-2025 Award Year, per The FAFSA Simplification Act (ACT), schools will transition from the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is a number that determines each student’s eligibility for certain types of federal student aid and is calculated using modified need analysis formulas outlined in the Act. The student’s SAI is calculated from data that is provided on the FAFSA form, and in most cases, federal tax information that is retrieved directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

FINANCIAL AID DISBURSEMENT

Financial aid is awarded by the SCC Financial Aid Office, but is disbursed by the SCC Business Office. Aid awards made for the academic year are disbursed in two installments, one each semester, assuming you are registered for the number of hours on which your financial aid award was based. Financial aid refunds are mailed to the student’s permanent address. Refund checks are disbursed approximately  five weeks after the first day of class and every 15 days after the first disbursement.

Funding for summer school is limited to students who have remaining Pell eligibility not used during the previous fall and/or the current spring of the given academic year.

Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is an award made to undergraduate students to help pay for their education after high school. For the 2020-2021 academic year, Federal Pell Grant awards range from $639 to $6,345 a year based on financial need. The Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) must be completed at www.fafsa.gov and received by the college’s Financial Aid Office before consideration can be made for this grant. Does not require repayment.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal SEOG is an award to help undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients. Application is made by completing the FAFSA. SEOG is given to students with an expected family contribution of $0.

North Carolina Community College Grant

This is a need-based grant established by the NC Legislature to provide funds to help meet the education costs of North Carolina residents attending community colleges. Applicants must complete the FAFSA by the published deadline. Applicants must be North Carolina residents and enroll for at least half-time (minimum of six credit hours) in an eligible curriculum program. For the 2020-2021 academic year, awards range from $100 to $3,588. Does not require repayment.

North Carolina Education Lottery Grant (ELS)

To receive this grant, students must be North Carolina residents and show substantial financial need. Recipients cannot have a baccalaureate degree and must be enrolled at least half-time. Application is made directly by the completion of the FAFSA. For the 2020-2021 academic year, awards range from $100 to $3,000.

SCC Foundation Grant

Through the non-profit SCC Foundation, Inc., this grant provides assistance to both full- and part-time students having financial needs that cannot be met by other sources of financial aid. Awards vary, depending on need and available funds. Does not require repayment.

Employment

Federal College Work-Study Program (FCWS)

This federally funded program provides on-campus work opportunities for students with limited financial resources. Students are paid an hourly wage. An effort is made to assign students to jobs related to their major field of study or to utilize their specific skills and interests. Does not require repayment.

Forgivable Education Loans for Service Programs (FELS)

The 2011 North Carolina General Assembly established the Forgiveable Education Loans Service Program. The first loans were available for the 2012-2013 academic year. The loan provides financial assistance to qualified students who are committed to working in North Carolina in fields designated as critical employment shortage areas. Loan recipients must sign a promissory note that will require them to seek loan forgiveness through employment in an approved position or repay the loan in cash. Loan forgiveness is described in the FELS rules. Generally, a loan for one academic year will be forgiven for one year of full-time employment. FELS program details are available at CFNC.org/FELS.

Other Sources of Aid

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may obtain grants-in-aid covering fees, books, and supplies through the Vocational Rehabilitation Service. Further information can be found in the telephone book under the State of North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Veterans

Veterans Administration funds may be available to those who have served in the armed forces, as well as to dependents of deceased veterans or disabled veterans with a service-connected disability. Interested persons should contact the Veterans Administration Regional Office, 251 North Main Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27155.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

Eligible students may qualify for training assistance through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and other available programs. They may contact the Columbus County NcWorks Career Center, located in A-Building, for further information at (910) 788-6261.

NC Army National Guard

The NC Army National Guard offers educational benefits that include part-time employment, a student loan repayment plan, the NC State Tuition Assistance program, and the GI Bill. They may be contacted at the following address: NC Army National Guard, Company D(-), 1-20th Inf. Bn., Whiteville, NC 28472-9299.

Aunt Bertha
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