Federal and State Financial Aid Programs
The following federal and state financial aid programs are available to College of The Albemarle (COA) students. If you’d like more information about any of these programs, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Learn More
Federal Pell Grants assist undergraduates in paying for their education after they complete high school or earn their High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). The Federal Pell Grant is the largest federal student aid program, and provides a foundation to which other assistance may be added.
Unlike loans, grants aren’t paid back unless you don’t complete the term of enrollment.
To apply for a Pell Grant, students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident enrolled in an eligible program. The student must demonstrate financial need and meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, the student must not already have a baccalaureate degree and must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). The amount of awards will be determined upon FAFSA results, cost of attendance, and enrollment status.
2024 – 2025
The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at College of The Albemarle. The best part? It’s money that doesn’t have to be repaid.
The scholarship award can be used for things beyond tuition, including fees, books, food, and housing. Students with the greatest need for financial aid could qualify for additional funding to help make paying for college more manageable.
Who is eligible to receive the Next NC Scholarship?
To receive the Next NC Scholarship, you must be:
- A North Carolina resident who is eligible for in-state tuition
- A high school graduate (high school equivalency completers are eligible)
- From a household with an annual Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less
- Enrolled in an eligible undergraduate curriculum program for the 2024-2025 academic year
- Taking at least 6 credit hours per semester (part-time students will receive a partial award)
- Meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of College of The Albemarle
- A student who has completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA, with a resulting Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below 7,500 (once complete, the financial aid office will determine and confirm eligibility.)
How do I apply for the Next NC Scholarship?
- Applying is simple. Just submit the FAFSA form. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive the Next NC Scholarship. There are no additional forms to fill out.
More Information
This program provides funding for North Carolina students pursuing programs leading to careers in areas with critical need, including nursing, teaching, allied health fields and medicine.
To receive funds through this program, you’ll be asked to sign a promissory note agreeing to work in North Carolina after graduation, in an approved position, for one year per academic year of funding. Students who don’t perform the required service will need to repay the loans in cash, with interest.