Federal and State Aid
Grants and loans are both available to CU students. Grants are free funds that do not require repayment. Loans are beneficial as they can offer fixed low interest rates.
Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is a need-based federal grant for low-income families. A student’s eligibility is determined through their FAFSA. The amount may change based on the number of units being taken and the amount of lifetime eligibility already used.
| Amount: | Up to $3,697 per semester |
|---|---|
Eligibility: | - Must be in pursuit of your first bachelor’s degree - Must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen - Must prove need through the FAFSA |
| Required Documents: | - FAFSA - Verification Documents (if applicable) |
North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship (NC NBS)
Created by the 2011 North Carolina General Assembly, the NC NBS is a need-based program for North Carolina residents attending private institutions of higher education located in North Carolina.
| Amount: | Between $5,000 - $10,000 per year |
|---|---|
Eligibility: | - Must be in pursuit of your first bachelor’s degree - Must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen - Must prove need through the FAFSA - Must be enrolled at least half-time per semester |
| Required Documents: | - FAFSA - Verification Documents (if applicable) |
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The FSEOG program is administered directly by the financial aid office at Carolina University.
| Amount: | Up to $250 per semester |
|---|---|
Eligibility: | - Must be in pursuit of your first bachelor’s degree - Must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen - Must prove need through the FAFSA |
| Required Documents: | - FAFSA - Verification Documents (if applicable) |
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work Studies are part-time, need-based employment opportunities. Carolina University offers main campus opportunities for students who qualify for Federal Work Study to apply. For more information on these employment opportunities, please contact the Student Employment office at student_employment@carolinau.edu.
| Amount: | Amount varies |
|---|---|
Eligibility: | - Must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen - Must prove need through the FAFSA - Must be accepted for a job at CU |
| Required Documents: | - FAFSA - Verification Documents (if applicable) - Apply for a job through the CU Job Portal |
Federal Direct Stafford Loans
All undergraduate students who complete a FAFSA are eligible for Federal Direct Stafford Loans. The amounts that a student is eligible for may vary depending on their grade level and the amount of lifetime eligibility that they have already used.
Students can receive a Subsidized Stafford Loan (the government pays the interest while you are in school) and/or an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (the government DOES NOT pay the interest while you are in school), depending on their eligibility.
| Amount: | |
|---|---|
Eligibility: | - Must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen - Must be enrolled at least half-time per semester |
| Required Documents: | - FAFSA - Verification Documents (if applicable) |
| Interests and Fees: | - Interest Rate: 6.39% - Origination Fee: 1.057% Origination Fee |
PLUS Loans
Students in a graduate program, or the parents of dependent undergraduate students, can apply for a Federal PLUS loan.
| Amount: | Up to the student’s cost of attendance |
|---|---|
Eligibility: | - Must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen - Must be enrolled at least half-time per semester |
| Required Documents: | - The student must complete the FAFSA - Verification Documents (if applicable) |
| Interests and Fees: | - Interest Rate: 8.94% - Origination Fee: 4.228% Origination Fee |
- To keep track of the federal loans you borrow and to find contact information for your servicer, please visit studentloans.gov.
- The National Student Loan Data System is the easiest way to track your loans. Login to nslds.ed.gov and you can download your financial aid history, research who is your current loan servicer, and see the current balance and status of any existing loans.
There are several types of loans that a student may choose to use, so please review the loans below for more information.