Federal Financial Aid Federal Student Aid Programs These include grants,
loans and part-time employment. Eligibility for most of these programs is
based upon the "demonstrated financial need" of the student applicant and the
applicant's family. However, financial need is not an eligibility
criterion for the federal Stafford Unsubsidized Student Loan or the federal
Parent PLUS loan. Therefore, most federal student aid applicants will be
eligible for some form of financial assistance through the federal student aid
programs regardless of demonstrated financial need. In order for
eligibility to be determined federal student aid applicants must file a Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
Federal Pell Grants
These are available to all undergraduate students who meet the
federal government's eligibility formula (with no prior
baccalaureate degree).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Awarded on the basis of financial need to undergraduate
students (with no prior baccalaureate degree).
Federal Academic Competiveness Grant (ACG)
Awarded on the basis of financial need to first-time
freshmen and sophomores enrolled in an eligible undergraduate program.
National SMART Grant
Awarded on the basis of financial need to undergraduate
students (3rd or 4th year students only) who are enrolled
full-time and pursing majors in physical, life or computer sciences,
mathematics, technology, engineering or foreign languages critical to the
national security of the United States.
Federal Work-Study
Approximately 500 of the
neediest students who apply by April 1 work part-time, approximately 14 hours
per week.
Federal Perkins Loans
This program provides about
$1.5 million each year to about 400 of the neediest students who apply by April
1. Each year, new funds provide about $300,000, and repayments from
out-of-school borrowers provide about 1.2 million.
Federal
Subsidized Stafford Loan
The subsidized Federal Stafford Loan is awarded
to students with demonstrated need and the federal government pays the interest
while the student is in school, during the grace period, and during periods of
deferment.
For more information on the loan programs offered
at UNC Charlotte, please click
here.
Other Grants
and Scholarships
The following
grants and scholarships are offered through the state of North Carolina.
Additionally, recipients are determined by the state of North Carolina.
UNC Need-Based Grant-Grants
available for eligible students attending one of the 16 campuses of the
University of North Carolina and be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours.
Eligibility is based on a
calculation of need, using income data from the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
NC Student Incentive Grant
- This program is offered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance
Authority through College Foundation Inc. The student must be a
resident of North Carolina and enrolled full-time at a North Carolina
postsecondary institution.
The award is based on a
calculation of need, using income data from the FAFSA.
Additionally, the grant is restricted to students who have
attempted less than 132 credit hours (attempted hours include
credit hours transferred from other institutions).
NC Education Lottery
Scholarship - The North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS) was
created by the 2005 General Assembly to provide financial assistance to
needy North Carolina resident students attending eligible colleges and
universities located within the state of North Carolina.
Eligibility is determined based
on the same criteria as the Federal Pell Grant with one
exception; students not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant with
an estimated family contribution of $5000 or less will be
eligible for an Education Lottery Scholarship. Students who have
earned baccalaureate (four-year) college degrees are ineligible.
Additionally, the scholarship is restricted to students who have
attempted less than 132 credit hours (attempted hours include
credit hours transferred from other institutions).
EARN - (Education
Access Rewards North Carolina Scholars Fund) is a scholarship which was
established by the 2007 North Carolina General Assembly to provide grants to
eligible North Carolina students to enable them to obtain an education
beyond the high school level at community colleges and universities in North
Carolina without incurring student loans during the first two years of their
postsecondary education.
To be considered for funding:
The student must qualify as a legal resident
of North Carolina and the United
The student must enroll full-time for the
first time, exclusive of any college credits earned while in
high school, at an eligible North Carolina post-secondary
school within seven months of graduation from a North
Carolina high school or home school or receipt of a GED from
a North Carolina institution
The student must be classified as "dependent"
for Federal Title IV programs or is a ward or dependent of
the court
The student must demonstrate total family
income not exceeding 200% of the applicable federal poverty
guideline
The student must meet all other eligibility
requirements for the federal Pell Grant
In order to retain eligibility for a grant
for a second year, the student must meet the satisfactory
academic progress standards established by the eligible
college or university in which the student is enrolled
The student may not receive a grant through
this program for more than the equivalent of two academic
years
All students who apply for
financial aid by the established priority date of April 1 are considered for
scholarships based on academic achievement and financial need.
Approximately 100 students with
highest need and grade point averages receive awards.
