Frequently Asked Questions
Financial Aid
- If your parents are living with each other, you’ll answer the questions about both of them.
- If your parent is widowed or single, answer the questions about that parent. If your widowed parent is remarried, answer questions about that parent and the person whom your parent married (your stepparent).
- If the parents are divorced or separated, answer the questions about the parent who provides the greater portion of the student’s financial support, even if the student does not live with them. If both parents provided an exactly equal amount of financial support during the past 12 months, or if they don’t support the student financially, answer the questions about the parent with the greater income and assets. If this parent is remarried as of today, answer the questions about that parent and the stepparent.
- Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older brothers and sisters, and uncles and aunts aren’t considered your parents unless they’ve legally adopted you. If you live with them and they’ve not legally adopted you, please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your options.
You may use any financial aid remaining after tuition and fee charges are paid to pay for books at the bookstore.
Financial aid, whether the Federal Pell Grant or state grants, can sometimes be prorated based on the number of credit hours you’re currently enrolled in. To be considered currently enrolled for financial aid purposes, your attendance needs to be verified, including for internet and hybrid classes. If you have late starting classes, your enrollment may change throughout the semester and will be adjusted accordingly. If you have specific questions about your enrollment, please contact our office. Enrollment status definitions:
- Full-time plus: 15 credit hours or more (North Carolina Community College Grant only)
- Full-time: 12 credit hours or more
- Three-quarter-time: 9 to 11 credit hours
- Half-time: 6 to 8 credit hours
- Less than half-time: 5 credit hours or less. State grants are not available to students at this enrollment status
The SAP appeal is a process that allows students who’ve fallen below their SAP due to extraordinary circumstances to appeal for future financial aid eligibility. Visit our academic progress requirements web page for more information.