Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for financial aid can be an intimidating and confusing process. Here are some common frequently asked questions and answers. Contact our office at (252) 222-6293 or e-mail us at financialaid@email.carteret.edu, if you require additional assistance.
1. How do I apply for financial aid?
2. Does Carteret Community College have a deadline for FAFSA applications?
3. What is a PIN number?
4. Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
5. Can I get financial aid if I attend less than full-time?
6. How do I pay for tuition, fees, books and supplies sold in the college bookstore with my financial aid?
7. When will I receive my financial aid refund?
8. Do I qualify for summer financial aid?
9. How many hours must I take to be considered a full-time student for financial aid purposes?
10. Why do I have to report my parent(s) income?
11. Do I have to pay back my financial aid if I withdraw from class?
12. How does withdrawing or failing class(es) affect my financial aid?
13. I received a suspension letter. What does this mean?
14. Can I apply for financial aid if I haven�t applied for admission?
15. Are all programs of study eligible for financial aid?
16. Are adult high school or general education diploma (GED) students able to receive a Pell Grant?
17. Does Carteret Community College offer a scholarship program?
How do I apply for financial aid?
To be considered for any type of federal, state, or institutional financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may apply online at the Department of Educations website, www.fafsa.ed.gov or call the Department of Education at 1-800-433-3243 for a paper application.
For the 2013-2014 academic year you may submit your FAFSA beginning January 1, 2013 but no later than June 30, 2014.
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Does Carteret Community College have a deadline for FAFSA applications?
YES. The financial aid application and awarding process is time consuming both for the student and the financial aid office. For this reason, the financial aid office publishes deadlines each academic year. Students that complete their FAFSA and submit all required documents by the published deadline may be assured that the financial aid office has sufficient time to determine and/or award financial assistance. For the 2013-2014 academic year, the application deadline is July 18, 2013. We will however, attempt to process and complete your financial aid file after July 18th but are not able to guarantee that we will have sufficient time to award assistance for Fall 2013 registration charges.
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What is a PIN number?
The PIN serves as your identifier to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of Education websites. Its like the Personal Identification Number that you get from your bank that enables you to access your account. Because your PIN serves as your electronic signature, you should not give it to anyone. You will need this number each year when re-applying for financial aid.
Once you successfully complete a request for a PIN, you may select the display now option to receive your PIN automatically. Otherwise, the Department of Education will e-mail or mail your PIN. You should write down this number and keep it in a safe place. You will need this information each year when you re-apply for financial aid.
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Do I have to reapply for financial aid each year?
Yes. Financial need is determined each academic year. Therefore, you must complete a new FAFSA each for each upcoming academic year as soon as possible after January 1 of that year.
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Can I get financial aid if I attend less than full-time?
Yes. All grant awards are based on full-time basis (12 credit hours or more). However, if you attend less than 12 credit hours your grant will be adjusted based on the number of hours you are attending. Depending of eligibility, some students could qualify for grant funds if they are enrolled less than half-time. You may also be able to receive state assistance, Federal Work-Study, and Supplemental Grants, if you attend less than full-time but should refer to the specific type of award information located on this website. You must enroll for at least six credit hours or more to receive a Federal Stafford Loans, North Carolina Community College Grants and North Carolina Lottery Scholarships. Top of FAQ
How do I pay for tuition, fees, books and supplies sold in the college bookstore with my financial aid?
Students with financial aid awards (with the exception of a Federal Work-Study award) are allowed to charge registration fees to their aid accounts. Tuition and fees are charged to the financial aid account when a student registers for classes. Books and supplies may be charged prior to the beginning of each semester. Purchases dates are determined each academic year. Students must have their college student identification card with them when before being allowed to purchase books and supplies sold in the bookstore.
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When will I receive my financial aid refund?
If you have aid in excess of your tuition, fees and bookstore charges, a check will be written to you for the balance after all semester charges have been deducted from your award. Please note: Financial Aid refunds are based upon the total number of credit hours that the student is currently attending. Funds are not released for courses until the course has started. Specific refund dates are posted to the student email accounts before the beginning of each academic year.
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Do I qualify for summer financial aid?
Students that enrolled as full-time students for both Fall and Spring semesters have no remaining aid grant eligibility for the summer semester.
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How many hours must I take to be considered a full-time student for financial aid purposes?
Enrollment hours for financial aid purposes never changes. Students must enroll each semester for 12 semester hours or more to be considered full-time. Three quarter time enrollment is 9-11 semester hours. Half-time enrollment is 6-8 semester hours and less than half-time enrollment is 1-5 semester hours.
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Why do I have to report my parent(s) income?
Financial aid is based on the principle that students and their parents have the primary responsibility for paying for their postsecondary education. Merely living away from your parents is not sufficient for dependency purposes. However, the federal government will consider a student independent of their parents if one of the following requirements are met: you are 24 years old; married; enrolled in a graduate program (ex., Masters or doctorate); have legal dependents other than spouse; you are an orphan or ward of the court; are an emancipated minor; were in a legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence; were declared a homeless youth; you a currently serving on active military duty or you are a veteran. Refer to the Dependency Status page for more information.
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Do I have to pay back my financial aid if I withdraw from class?
Students that withdraw completely from the college prior to the 61% point of the semester, may be required to repay federal and state funds (grants and/or loans). A refund calculation will be performed when a student completely withdraws from all classes and notification of funds owed will be sent to the student. To avoid repayment�STAY IN SCHOOL.
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How does withdrawing or failing class(es) affect my financial aid?
Federal and State regulations require that students receiving financial aid maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
1. A student must complete at least 67% of the total cumulative credit hours attempted (e.g., 60 attempted credit hours, student must complete at least 39). Therefore, withdrawals, failing grades, and incomplete grades will count against you.
2. A student must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
Complete degree requirements within 150% of the published program lengthfor a full-time student. For example, a student in the college transfer curriculums must complete the degree by the time they have attempted 97 credit hours (65 x 150%). Students who exceed this maximum time frame will not be eligible for any further aid. Credits taken at CCC that count towards the student’s current major, as well as incompletes, withdrawals, repetitions, and hours transferred from another institution, will count in this calculation. College Prep (remedial) and audited courses are not counted. For CCC students who change their major, credits that do not count toward a student’s new major will not be included in satisfactory academic progress determination.
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Can I apply for financial aid if I havent applied for admission?
Yes and No. Applying for financial aid is an extended process and you should begin the process as soon after January 1 st as possible. Before the financial aid office is able to import your financial aid application from the Department of Education, students must have applied for admission to the college.
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Are all programs of study eligible for financial aid?
No. All Associates degree programs at CCC are approved for financial aid. The Department of Education must approve all diploma and certificate programs. Special credit students are not eligible for financial aid. Students should refer to the Academic Offerings sheet located in the Student Enrollment Resources Office for information on eligible programs. The Cosmetology, Cosmetology Instructor and Basic Law Enforcement curriculums are considered "Clock Hour" programs. Students must complete the required "clock hours" to be eligible for additional financial aid. For more information contact the financial aid office.
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Are adult high school or general education diploma (GED) students able to receive a Pell Grant?
No. To be eligible for any type of financial aid, including a Pell Grant, you must have at least a high school diploma from or GED, and be accepted for admission into an approved college program of study.
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Does Carteret Community College offer a scholarship program?
Yes. The Carteret Community College Foundation accepts scholarship donations each year from local businesses, organizations, and individuals in the community. The financial aid office has set the priority application deadline as May 1st each year. A wide variety of scholarships are available with criteria ranging from program of study, grade point average, college or community involvement, residency, and/or volunteerism. Students complete one application for all available scholarships. You may pick up an application in the Student Enrollment Resources Office or download an application from the "forms" page.
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Additional Financial Aid Links
� Department of Education: Student Guide
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
� Free Application for Federal Student Aid
www.fafsa.ed.gov
US Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml?src=a
� NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) Public Pagehttp://www.nasfaa.org/Home.asp
� FinAid: The Financial Aid Information Page
http://www.finaid.org/
� The College Board
http://www.collegeboard.com/splash
� Funding Your Education
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/FYE/index.html
� (North Carolinas source for information about college financing and solutions that might work for your family.)
http://www.cfnc.org/
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