Financial Aid FAQ

Admissions

How do I apply for financial assistance?

Step 1: File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a Renewal FAFSA. Remember to include North Carolina Central University’s federal school code: 002950. The FAFSA form will generate a Student Aid Report (SAR) for your record.
Step 2: If additional forms are needed, you will be notified via email. Once your file is complete, you will receive an Award Offer Letter email.

Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial assistance?

No. However, you will not receive an award letter from the Office of Scholarships & Student Aid until after you have been admitted.

Do I have to apply every year for financial assistance?

Yes. Your financial need must be determined every year. Your financial circumstances may change each year; therefore, you must submit a new FAFSA each year.

Besides the FAFSA, are there any other forms that I must provide to be considered for financial assistance?

After you are admitted, the Office of Scholarships & Student Aid will send you an email if your financial application is incomplete and additional information is required.

When is the FASFA application available?

Each year, the FAFSA opens on Oct. 1. You must submit a FAFSA in order to be to be considered for financial assistance.

How do I become an in-state student?

The general rule is that to qualify as a resident of North Carolina for tuition purposes, a person must become a legal resident and remain one for at least 12 months. The basis for determining the appropriate tuition charge rests on whether a student is a North Carolina resident or a nonresident.
In compliance with state law, the University of North Carolina System requires that students request a residency classification from the Residency Determination Service (RDS). RDS is the entity responsible for all new classifications of residency in North Carolina. Each applicant must complete the process with the Residency Determination Service. After completion of the RDS, you will receive residency number. You must enter that residency number on your application. The staff in the Office of Admissions does not have the authority to determine that you are a North Carolina resident or a nonresident.

If I decide to attend summer school, do I have to apply for financial aid twice in one year?

No. The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid (OSSA) will use the FAFSA that you completed for the academic year. Your FAFSA is used to determine your financial need for the academic year and the summer sessions.
The OSSA has a paperless application process for the summer sessions. After you complete the paperless application for the summer sessions, the OSSA will offer you student loans based upon the summer session(s) for which you have registered. Students must view and accept award offers for summer school using their myEOL account.

Are scholarships available?

Yes. NCCU Law offers scholarships to incoming students who demonstrate exceptional merit as well as financial need. To retain these three year scholarships (for six semesters), a returning student must remain in good academic standing. The North Carolina Central University School of Law makes an outstanding legal education accessible to students through scholarship support.

How much can/should I borrow?

As a graduate/professional school student, you may borrow up to $20,500 for each academic year from the Federal Direct Loan program. In addition, you may borrow a Federal Graduate PLUS loan up to your remaining cost of attendance. It is important for you to establish a budget. We strongly encourage you to review your outstanding undergraduate loans and consumer debt and only borrow the minimum amount that you need.

What if I have a default on a student loan?

Before you can be eligible to receive additional educational loans, you must resolve the default status. So long as you are in default, you cannot apply for new educational loans.
If you have questions about the status of your loans, please contact your lender or the Department of Education.

Who helps me with Veteran’s benefits?

The University’s Veterans Affairs office coordinator is Mr. Hepston Henry, II. If you have questions about using your veterans’ benefits, you may contact the Veterans Affairs office directly with your questions.

Does the university certify private loans?

No, North Carolina Central University does not certify any private or alternative loans.

What does “Non-validated” mean?

Non-validated means that you have not made satisfactory payment arrangements for the bill on your student account and that unless you make satisfactory payment towards your tuition balance, you will be non-validated. If you are using student loans you may have outstanding requirements that you must complete; check your myEOL. Also it is possible that you will need to setup a payment arrangement with Student Accounting or make a payment.

How do I become “Validated” for the semester?

To be “validated” means that your financial obligations to the University are cleared to attend classes.
Make sure that you have paid all tuition and fees from previous semesters or that you have made a satisfactory payment arrangement for your tuition and fees.
If your balance is not paid in full by the deadline set by the Student Accounting Office, then you must setup a satisfactory payment arrangement with Student Accounting to be validated to remain enrolled.

How do I setup Direct Deposit for my refund?

Here are the Student Direct Deposit Instructions.

Does the university offer Payment Plans?

Yes, all payment plans are setup directly with the university’s Student Accounting Office. Please contact the Student Accounting Office with your questions about how to set up a payment plan.

Are international students eligible for internal law school scholarships or federal Stafford Loans?

No. NCCU Law scholarships are need based; therefore, you must submit a FAFSA to establish your unmet financial need. Only U.S. citizens and eligible permanent residents may submit a FAFSA or apply for Federal student loans.
It is important to note that the Law School cannot assist you in securing a private educational loan.

How do International students finance their law school education?

International students are not U.S. citizens and are not eligible noncitizens.
o International students may encounter unusual challenges in financing their legal education. Early financial planning is essential for each international student. We encourage international students to investigate all available options for financial support from their home countries and with external funding organizations. International students may find various sources of financial assistance via external resources like the Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Do you have questions about Financial Aid?

If you have questions about receiving a scholarship or Financial Aid, please contact Augustus Forte, Director of Financial Assistance, at (919) 530 – 7440 or by email at aforte3@nccu.edu or law_admissions@nccu.edu.

Applying for Financial Assistance

The law school no longer offers conditional scholarships. The last conditional scholarships were offered in the 2015-2016 academic year.

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

North Carolina Central University is an institutional participant in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. The University’s Office of Scholarships and Student Aid will use the FAFSA to process your federal direct student loans and other University financial aid. You may obtain the FAFSA from any undergraduate financial aid office or from www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Federal School Code for North Carolina Central University is 002950. Because the University is a direct lending institution, it will not accept outside loans where the University is listed as an endorser.

Return completed FAFSA forms to:

Office of Scholarships and Student Aid
North Carolina Central University
P.O. Box 19496
Shepard Station
Durham, North Carolina 27707

2. Law School Financial Assistance Application

This application will assist the Law School with awarding scholarships and grants. Please submit a Financial Assistance Application no later than June 1st.

All scholarships, grants and financial aid awards will be communicated in writing. If you would like to discuss financial aid, scholarships, grants and loan programs, please contact Augustus Forte, Director for Financial Assistance at 919-530-6365 or via email at aforte3.edu.

Grants and Scholarships

NCCU School of Law and selected bar associations award certain grants and scholarships to full-time students on the basis of need and/or academic achievement. The following scholarships are available:

Albert L. Turner Fund

Created with contributions from alumni and friends. Major contributors have been Frank W. Balance and John H. Harmon, members of the class of 1965.

After Car Accidents

This offering is an annual $1,000 scholarship for all law students. This scholarship is merit based and requires an essay submission. The details about the application submission process can be found at our scholarship page: http://www.after-car-accidents.com/scholarship.html

Board of Governors Scholarships

Created by the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina, these fellowships are available to eligible economically disadvantaged North Carolina residents who demonstrate academic promise.

Capital City Lawyers Association Scholarship

Established by an organization of African-American attorneys in Wake County, North Carolina, these awards are made to assist and encourage qualified students who attend North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Daniel G. Sampson Scholarship

Created with contributions from alumni and friends of the former Dean, awards are made to second-year or third-year students with financial need and a minimum GPA of 2.5.

George H. White Bar Association Scholarship

Created by an organization of African-American attorneys in Durham County, North Carolina, these awards are made to encourage qualified students to attend North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Goodman Acker PC Scholarship

The scholarship has been created as part of Goodman Acker’s commitment to give back to the community by rewarding law students who demonstrate high academic achievement, strong communication skills and an interest in practicing law.

Harry E. Groves Scholarship

Created with contributions from alumni and friends of the former Dean, these awards are made to a second-year or third-year student with financial needs and a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Johnnie Brown Scholarship

Created with contributions from alumni and friends of a former Law School Registrar, these awards are made to second-year or third-year students with financial need and a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Julian Pierce Scholarship Fund

These awards are made to Native Americans students who demonstrate need and leadership potential and a commitment to public service in the legal profession.

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association

This initiative is designed to support entering first-year law students nationwide who have been accepted into an accredited law school.

M.E. Glass Scholarship Fund

Established by Robert D. Glass, retired Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. The scholarship is in honor of his late mother, Mrs. M.E. Glass. These awards are made to deserving students who exhibit “conspicuous determination by work and scholarship.”

North Carolina Central University Grant

Funded by the State of North Carolina, these awards are made to eligible North Carolina residents who demonstrate financial need.

North Carolina Central University Law Scholar Award

Funded by the State of North Carolina. These scholarships are available to eligible North Carolina residents who demonstrate financial need and exceptional academic promise.

Roberts Law Group
Scholarships The Roberts Law Group is offering two $2,500 scholarships for those taking the February 2017 bar to help cover costs. The scholarships are geared toward those who have an interest in practicing criminal law once admitted.

T.C. Jervay Scholarship Fund

These awards are made to minority second-year and third-year students who demonstrate need and a commitment to public service and have a least a 2.5 GPA.

The Public Defender Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is for law students who have recently completed an internship, externship, or law clinic with a public defender’s office.

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund

These awards are made to students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential and a commitment to a legal career in civil rights or public interest law. Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Title III Scholarship and Grant

Federally-funded, these scholarships are awarded to eligible minorities and other disadvantaged persons who demonstrate financial need, academic achievement and a commitment to public service in the legal profession.

Tuition Remission Scholarships

These awards are made to students that demonstrate a need and are working as tutors or research assistants.

Wake County Bar Association Scholarship

Awarded to a qualified student from Wake County attending law school in North Carolina.

Wheeler Foundation Scholarships

Established by the John H. Wheeler Foundation in honor of the late John H. Wheeler, an alumnus and prominent businessman. These scholarships are available to students who demonstrate academic proficiency and financial need.

Additional Sources of Financial Assistance

Research Assistants and Tutors

The School of Law provides funds for selected law students who assist faculty in their legal research or serve as tutors.

University Work-Study Program

Offers a variety of employment opportunities through the federally-funded college work-study program. Work-Study is awarded through the University Financial Aid Office.

NOTE: Under American Bar Association standard 305(a)(iii), a student may not work in excess of twenty (20) hours per week while attending law school on a full-time basis.

Helpful Links

FinAid contains a collection of information about student financial aid on the web. Access to FinAid is free for all users. This site offers some of the best ‘how to’ guidance on securing financial aid.

Access Group provides education financing to a variety of eligible students.