Navigating the North Carolina A&T State University National Alumni Scholarship

Funding higher education is a significant financial investment for students and their families. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University strives to ensure that no qualified student is denied the opportunity to attend due to lack of funds. The University administers student aid in conjunction with a nationally established policy and philosophy of financial aid for education. This philosophy recognizes that parents are the primary resource for meeting educational costs, with financial aid available to bridge the gap between a student’s resources and expenses. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the National Alumni Scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, and other important considerations for prospective students.

Understanding Financial Aid at North Carolina A&T State University

The amount of the contribution expected from parents is related to consideration of a family’s net income, number in household, and other financial information. The federal methodology is used to determine the student’s and parents’ Student Aid Index (SAI). In order to be considered for federal, state and some institutional and private assistance, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The University utilizes the “packaging concept” for financial aid. A student who completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid will be considered for all financial assistance at the University for which he/she is eligible provided funding is available. An award will not be made until a student has been admitted to the University. Therefore, it is important that the admission process be completed as soon as possible.

Types of Financial Aid Available

The University offers several types of Departmental and Institutional Scholarships. The majority of these scholarships are administered within the academic and athletic departments. A student seeking consideration for financial assistance must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to the Federal processor. Students are encouraged to use the FTI (Federal Tax Information) option when completing the FAFSA.

Graduate students who apply for financial aid may be considered for loan assistance and Federal Work Study through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Information about graduate assistantships and fellowships may be obtained from the Graduate College Office or the academic department. Students are encouraged to apply for sources external to the University. Any award from an external source must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and is included as a part of the student’s financial aid package.

Additional Grant Opportunities

Grant funding is available to North Carolina residents who enroll at least half-time at one of the 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina system through The University of North Carolina Need Based Grant. The award amount varies.

Read also: A Guide to NCAT Student Life

Grants may be provided to students who have a mental or physical disability which is an impediment to employment through Vocational Rehabilitation. The amount of the grant is based on financial need and the type of program in which the student is enrolled.

A four-year scholarship at an approved school may be awarded to children of certain class or category of deceased, disabled, combat or POW/MIA veterans through the North Carolina Veterans’ Scholarship. The veteran was a legal resident of North Carolina at the time of entry into the armed forces or the child must have been born and resided in North Carolina continuously since birth.

Grants may be provided to full-time North Carolina residents who are blind or visually impaired through Rehabilitation Assistance for Visually Handicapped. Students must attend a North Carolina post-secondary institution. The amount of assistance is based on need.

Air Force ROTC and Army ROTC scholarships are available on a competitive, merit basis to interested students.

University Specific Scholarship Funds

An anonymous benefactor endowed The Quiester Craig Scholarship Fund to provide academic scholarships for students majoring in Accounting. Named in honor of the School of Business and Economics’ past Dean, Dr. Sigmund Sternberger Scholarships.

Read also: Student Ticket Guide: N.C. A&T

The C.M. and M.D. Suther Scholarship Program is available to full-time North Carolina resident undergraduates with a demonstrated financial need. The scholarship can be made either to a freshman who graduated in the top 25% of his/her high school graduating class or to an upper-class student with an academic average of at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Only one award is made each year and is nonrenewable.

The A.P. Dickson scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student who currently resides in Hoke County, North Carolina through Dr. A.P. and Frances Dickson Scholarships. The Director of Student Financial Aid chooses the recipient on the basis of academic standing and financial need.

The James Lee Love Scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time North Carolina resident undergraduate student. The recipient is selected by the Director of Student Financial Aid on the basis of academic standing and financial need.

The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State National Alumni Scholarship: A Legacy of Excellence

The National Alumni Scholarship recognizes exceptional academic talent and ability. This scholarship program is a legacy of the former national alumni association and the objective is to carry on the mission of attracting quality students. This award covers full tuition, related fees, room, and board. It is renewable for four (4) years as long as the student meets the yearly requirements.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State National Alumni Scholarship, students must:

Read also: North Carolina A&T Dorms

Meet the requirements for admission to N.C. A&T State University.
Include two typed and signed letters of recommendation/evaluation letters on letterhead.
One letter from a community organization (i.e.

Application Process and Important Dates

Being aware of important dates can make the difference between getting a scholarship award or missing the opportunity. It is crucial to adhere to the deadlines and submit all required documents on time.

APPLY FOR ADMISSIONS: Students should apply by the Office of Undergraduate Admission early action deadline of November 1st.
Freshman Scholarships Available: The scholarship applications for incoming freshman administered through the Office of Student Financial Aid will become available in mid to late October.
Apply for FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available beginning October 1st of each year. Filing the application by March 1st is strongly encouraged to be considered for the maximum value of need based awards.
Your completed admissions application must be on file with the admissions office by November 1st for priority scholarship consideration.

Incoming freshmen are automatically considered for scholarships once admitted to North Carolina A&T State University. In some cases, where indicated, individual scholarships will require a separate application. The Freshman Scholarships listed below are available to new students, enrolling in a degree-seeking program and pursuing their first Bachelor’s degree. All students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for full consideration of all types of financial aid.

Other Freshman Scholarship Programs

The Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholars Program: A preeminent scholarship awarded to entering freshman who have shown excellence in academics and scholarly leadership during their high school matriculation.
The Cheatham-White Scholarship: Provides an outstanding educational experience for students who are exceptional scholars, as well as versatile and well-rounded individuals.
The February One Scholars Program: Seeks to recruit and retain very high achieving students in an environment where intellectual curiosity is stimulated and conducive to in-depth and engaged learning.

Merit awards are based solely on academic achievement as reflected within the student’s admissions application. The application for admission to the university serves as the application for merit scholarships; therefore no separate application is required. Students must have a completed admissions application on file with admissions by November 1st for priority scholarship consideration.

Privately Donated Funds

These scholarships are privately donated funds that are given to North Carolina A&T students each year from private gifts made by individuals, groups or companies. They are awarded to students based on a wide range of criteria to include: major, high school attended, outstanding academic achievement, community service, leadership and/or financial need.

Departmental Scholarships

Many colleges and departments offer scholarships to current N.C. A&T students participating in specific academic programs. Departmental scholarships are most often awarded to continuing students who have demonstrated excellence in meeting the eligibility criteria for their scholarship while enrolled at N.C. A&T. However, some departments also make scholarships awards to prospective students as a means of encouraging them to enter their academic department or to be involved in an activity or initiative for which they have responsibility.

N.C. A&T Alumni Association Chapter Scholarships

Funded by contributions from North Carolina A&T Alumni Association Chapters nationwide, these scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic performance, involvement, and leadership skills with the additional criterion of geographic location. Chapter scholars must be residents of the geographical area served by the chapter. The selection criteria and value of scholarships vary from chapter to chapter.

External Scholarship Opportunities

Many organizations outside the University award scholarships each year to assist students in funding their education. Listed below are external scholarships primarily for incoming freshmen.

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The Higher Education Amendment Act of 1965, as amended, mandates institutions of higher education to establish a minimum standard of “Satisfactory Academic Progress” for students receiving federal financial aid. North Carolina A&T State University makes its standard applicable to all federal, state and some institutional funds. The satisfactory academic progress policy applies to all terms regardless of whether financial aid was received.

SAP Evaluation Criteria

Satisfactory academic progress will be evaluated for all students (full or part-time) annually (at the end of each spring semester). Students who receive financial aid must successfully complete a minimum of 67% of all attempted hours. If the number of completed hours drops below 67%, the student will no longer be eligible for financial aid. Attempted hours include all hours attempted at the University and transfer hours, whether or not the student earns a grade or receives credit. Successful completion of a course means that the students must obtain a grade of A, B, C or D excluding a grade of D for a graduate or doctoral student). To calculate 67%, multiply the total number of attempted hours by .67 (rounded downward to the nearest whole number).

The number of credit hours a student attempts may not exceed 150% of the number of credit hours required for graduation in his or her program of study, as published in the University Bulletin. If the published number of hours required for graduation is 120, a student may not attempt more than 180 credit hours (120 x 1.5 = 180) and continue to receive financial aid. All periods of enrollment must be considered, even those for which the student did not receive financial aid as well as hours transferred from another school.

Additional SAP Requirements

Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and are pursuing another undergraduate degree must submit a completed Second Degree Form. Second-degree students cannot exceed the aggregate loan limit for an undergraduate student. Students must maintain a 2.8 GPA for admission into the EPP and matriculation each semester while in the EPP. Students must maintain progress in all degrees and as stated above.

A “W” grade which is recorded on the student’s transcript will be included as credits attempted and will have an adverse effect on the student’s ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress. An incomplete grade indicates that a student has not finished all course-work required for a grade and is included in the cumulative credits attempted.

A student who has received a failing grade in a required course at this University must repeat and pass the course unless otherwise indicated. Students (undergraduate and graduate) may only receive federal financial aid for one repetition (repeat) of a previously passed course. Undergraduate students who have already passed a course with a grade of a D or better may only repeat the class one additional time and receive financial aid for that course.

A student may change from one major to another during attendance at the University. Students who change from one major to another are still expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress and complete the course work within the time frame or hours limitation stated unless an appeal is approved. The number of credit hours in which the student is enrolled on the day following the published last day to add/drop a class will be used as official enrollment for financial assistance purposes; full-time status is 12 or more hours.

Readmission and SAP

Readmitted students will be reviewed on their previous academic records in order to determine eligibility for assistance, whether or not financial aid was received. Students who have been placed on Academic Suspension or Dismissal from the University must meet the Satisfactory Academic Policy (SAP) once they are re-admitted.

Students who are not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards are not eligible for further financial aid including Summer I, Summer II and Dual sessions unless the student was granted continuation from the spring semester and allowed a probationary period for the summer session. Students who are placed on probation for the summer may be eligible for financial assistance.

Students whose financial aid is terminated must remove their academic deficiencies or have an appeal granted before their aid can be reinstated.

Appealing SAP Decisions

Students who are denied federal and/or state financial aid for failure to meet the SAP standards are advised by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships of their right to appeal the decision. Students may appeal in writing to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if they had extenuating circumstance(s) that led to their unsatisfactory academic progress. Students not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress may appeal for consideration of financial aid.

To appeal for the reinstatement of financial aid eligibility, students should complete and submit the Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal form to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships indicating the extenuating circumstance(s) (i.e. personal illness, injury, medical problems, undue hardship, death of parent or immediate family member, or other special circumstances) that may have prevented the student to perform at his/her academic best. If an appeal is approved, the student must sign a Satisfactory Academic Progress Action Plan with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of his or her academic standing each semester.

Return of Title IV Funds

The Federal Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965 was amended in 1998 and new regulations were established with regard to Title IV student financial aid programs. Students earn their Title IV federal financial aid by attending classes. If a student withdraws from the University prior to completing the 60% of the semester or term, the financial aid office recalculates eligibility of Title IV funds.

Example: Student A withdraws from Fall semester on September 28. The semester began on August 16 and ends on December 10. There are 119 days in the semester.

If a student earned less aid than what was disbursed, the university would be required to return a portion of the funds and the student would be required to return a portion of the funds.

tags: #ncat #national #alumni #scholarship #requirements