Applying for Aid

Eligibility for federal student aid is determined based on financial need in conjunction with several other factors. The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid determines what you are eligible to receive based on your expected family contribution (EFC). To receive financial aid, you must meet certain eligibility criteria.

• Be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Have a valid social security number.
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate or have completed homeschooling. 
• Be enrolled in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Not owe a refund on a federal student grant or be in default on a federal student loan.
• Register (or already be registered) with the Selective Service System.
• Not have a conviction for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (such as grants, work-study, or loans).

Note:  Students admitted to the University as “special or visiting” are not eligible to receive financial aid.  

Apply for a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). The FSA ID is a unique username and password that will act as your electronic signature for certain Department of Education websites.  The student and at least one parent will need to create an FSA ID online at https://fsaid.ed.gov

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or after October 1 of each year online at https://studentaid.gov.

Students who complete the FAFSA will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) detailing the results of the application.  It is recommended that students view their status by accessing Banner SSB through myEOL. 

Any student who submits a FAFSA application may be subject to a process called verification.  Verification is the process in which the institution reviews the information provided on the FAFSA application for accuracy.  Approximately 30% of students are selected for verification.  If selected, you will be required to submit documents such as tax returns, W2s, and verification of non-filer letters.

Please allow 2–3 weeks for the verification process once all requested documents have been submitted to the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. 

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The cost of attendance reflects the maximum amount of financial assistance (grants, scholarships, work assistance, and loans) a student may receive for the enrollment period.  Students often confuse the cost of attendance or budget with the actual cost of attending North Carolina Central University.

The cost of attendance is the sum of the following:

• Actual tuition and fees or the school’s average tuition and fees
• Cost of room and board or estimated living expenses for students who do not live in on-campus housing
• The estimated cost of books and supplies
• Allowance for transportation
• Allowance for miscellaneous expenses

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The expected family contribution is a measure of your family’s financial strength and indicates how much of you and your family’s financial resources (for dependent students) should be available to help pay for your education.  Your EFC is calculated according to a formula established by federal law that uses the information you reported on the FAFSA.