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Financial Aid

The student financial aid program at Sampson Community College is designed to assist qualified students in meeting the costs of attending college. The program consists of three major types of aid: grants, scholarships, and student employment. An eligible student may receive one or more of these types of financial aid.

Sampson Community College does not participate in the Federal Stafford Loan Program.

In making award decisions, the Financial Aid Office determines the student’s financial need for college attendance. The need is the difference between the resources of the student (and his or her family) and the cost of attendance. Any student who has completed the financial aid application process is considered for all types of financial aid without regard to the student’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or political affiliation.

A student has the right to accept, reject, or appeal the aid he or she has been offered. To maintain eligibility to receive financial aid, students are required to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards for Financial Aid Recipients as defined in this catalog.

Eligibility

All students may be eligible for some type of financial aid and all are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available October 1 of each year for the following academic year. All students are encouraged to apply for scholarships in addition to federal student aid. Both need-based and merit-based scholarships are available.

Application Procedures

  1. Complete the SCC Admissions Requirements. Admissions must be completed before financial aid can be awarded. An official transcript showing high school graduation or completion of a high school equivalency diploma is required for all students seeking financial aid.
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov. IMPORTANT: Students are required to provide the same name, address, and date of birth on the FAFSA as listed on the SCC Admissions Application.
  3. Enter Sampson Community College’s code (007892). Transfer students who have current Federal Pell Grant must access their FAFSA application and add Sampson Community College’s school code (007892) and resubmit it for processing.
  4. For assistance in completing the FAFSA, or for students who do not have internet access, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). An EOC Counselor from Fayetteville State University is available on the college’s campus to assist students with the admission and financial aid applications, please call 910-900-4083.
  5. The FAFSA should be completed using 2-year prior federal tax information. The student is responsible for the completion of the application, and it should be completed at least eight weeks prior to enrollment.
  6. In approximately two weeks, the student’s FAFSA application will be downloaded to the SCC computer system. SCC will notify students of what is needed to verify and process their financial aid currently both by postal mail and SCC student email account. Required documents will be available both on the SCC Website under Financial Aid Forms or can be accessed through the student’s SCC Self-Service Account. These documents are fillable and can be printed out and returned to the SCC FA Office in whatever manner the student feels more comfortable: postal mail, in person or emailed to finaid@sampsoncc.edu.
  7. An official transcript showing completion of high school or an adult high school equivalency diploma must be on file in the SCC Admissions Office in order for financial aid to be awarded.
  8. The Financial Aid Office will provide written notice of eligibility. Students may also access financial aid award information online by logging into their SCC Self-Service account.
  9. The SCC Scholarship Application is accessible on the College’s website and is made available in September. Students planning to attend SCC in the fall after high school graduation may contact their high school guidance counselor about submitting a scholarship application.
  10. Scholarship applications must be received by the SCC Foundation Office by April 15 each year. Scholarships are awarded for the Fall and Spring Semesters. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA. FAFSA completion is required for students seeking the Sampson Promise scholarship.

Types of Financial Aid

  1. Federal Pell Grant Program - The Pell Grant is a federal aid program with the maximum award of $10,342 per year (fall, spring, summer), based on eligibility as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. All students must apply for this grant in order to be considered for other types of financial aid. Eligible students must enroll at least part-time, be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen, not hold a bachelor’s degree, not be in default on a federal loan, not owe money on a federal student grant, and meet SAP requirements for the institution. Currently, all Associate Degree and Diploma programs offered by the College are eligible, but only certain certificate programs meet eligibility criteria. Certificates must contain at least 16 credit hours to be considered eligible for federal aid.

    Important: To be considered for full-time enrollment, a financial aid student must be enrolled in 12 credit hours or more for the semester. This includes fall, spring, and summer semesters.

    Federal Pell Grant Proration is based on the following standards:

    • Full-time (12+ credit hours), full award
    • ¾-time (9 – 11 credit hours), ¾ or full award
    • ½-time (6 – 8 credit hours), ½ award
    • < ½ time (1 – 5 credit hours), prorated based on Pell chart schedule

    If a student would like to check a loan status from a loan received at a previous college, they may do so at www.nslds.ed.gov.

  2. Federal Work-Study Program - The Federal Work-Study Program (FSW) provides part-time jobs to students who demonstrate financial need. Application for Work-Study is made by completing the FAFSA and a Work-Study application. Work-Study applications can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office or on the Financial Aid Forms webpage at www.sampsoncc.edu. Eligible students may work up to the maximum number of hours per week as specified on their FWS contract. Jobs usually range from 8 to 15 hours per week and currently pay above the minimum wage rate. Contact the FA Office at www.finaid@sampsoncc.edu to inquiry about the current rate of pay for FWS positions. Hours may be increased for FWS positions during the summer semester. The Financial Aid Office selects applicants to interview based on the approved FWS positions for the academic year. Final selection of the FWS student is determined by the supervisor of the FWS position.
  3. Federal Supplemental Opportunities Grant Program - The Federal Supplemental Opportunities Grant Program (FSEOG) is designed to provide grants to exceptionally needy students. Application for this grant is made by completing the FAFSA. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients. Colleges participating in the FSEOG program annually receive a limited amount of FSEOG funds. Once all FSEOG funds have been awarded and disbursed to students, no additional FSEOG awards can be made for the year.
  4. NC Education Lottery Scholarship (NCELS) - The NCELS provides assistance for students who are not eligible for Pell Grant or only a reduced amount of the Pell Grant based on their estimated family contribution as determined by the Student Aid Report. The NCEL Scholarship is awarded only for the fall and spring semesters. Eligible students must be North Carolina residents enrolled for at least six (6) credit hours per semester in a curriculum program and meet SAP requirements for the institution. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree are ineligible. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is used to also qualify for Federal Pell Grant. Award amounts are pre-determined and delivered by CFNC. These funds are contingent on funding from the State of North Carolina.
  5. NC Community College Grant (NCCCG) - The North Carolina Community College Grant provides funds for North Carolina residents attending a community college who qualify for limited Pell Grant funds. Eligible students must be enrolled at least six (6) credit hours per semester in an approved curriculum program and meet SAP requirements for the institution. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree are ineligible. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The NCCCG is awarded only for the fall and spring semesters. Award amounts are pre-determined and delivered by CFNC. Availability of grant funds is contingent on funding from the state of North Carolina.
  6. Forgivable Education Loan for Service - This loan was established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011 and the first loans were available for the 2012-13 academic year. The loan provides financial assistance to qualified students who are committed to working in North Carolina in fields designated as critical employment shortage areas. Information regarding the application process, requirements, and eligible programs can be found online at http://www.cfnc.org.
  7. NC Veterans’ Affairs Scholarship - The Department of Veterans’ Affairs offers scholarship assistance to North Carolina children of deceased or disabled veterans or of certain veterans who were listed in a POW/MIA status. An eligible student should write to the NC Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Raleigh, NC, for information.
  8. SCC Foundation Academic Scholarships - The SCC Foundation administers the following scholarships:

    SCC Foundation Endowed Scholarships

    SCC Foundation General Scholarships

    Sampson Promise Scholarship

    Students applying for scholarship are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA. FAFSA completion is required for students seeking the Sampson Promise scholarship by the scholarship application deadline.

  9. Emergency Loans - The Sampson Community College Foundation, Inc. provides small, short-term loans for currently enrolled students who experience emergency situations prior to receiving other financial aid. Applications for these loans are available in the SCC Foundation Office and are limited by availability of funds.
  10. Other Types of Aid - Sampson Community College coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies to offer other types of assistance. Students should check their College email throughout the semester to learn of other financial aid opportunities. For more information, contact: The SCC Financial Aid Office, Sampson County Department of Social Services, Sampson County Office of Employment and Training, Telamon Corporation, or other awarding agency.

Year Round Pell

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 allows a student to receive Pell Grant funds up to 150% of the student’s scheduled award for an award year. Effective beginning with the 2017-2018 award year.

Sampson Community College awards Year Round Pell (YRP) as a trailer program. Meaning aid for the current year is award and disbursed in the following order: Fall Semester, Spring Semester and lastly Summer Semester. A Year Round Pell Student enrolled at SCC is a student who was enrolled full-time and received 100% of their Pell Grant Entitlement during both the fall and spring semesters.

Students who are considered (YRP) must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits or more) in the summer for which the student receives the additional Pell Grant Funds. Additional Pell Grant Funds will be included in the students 600% Pell Lifetime Eligibility.

Standards of Academic Progress for Financial Aid

Federal regulations require minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress that students must meet in order to receive financial assistance from Title IV programs. Failure to maintain academic progress will result in the termination of financial aid. The Title IV programs currently offered at Sampson Community College include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant. In addition to the Title IV programs, North Carolina also offers financial assistance such as the NC Community College Grant, NC Educational Lottery Scholarship, and other special state scholarships. The same satisfactory academic progress standards apply for state funded programs. The Financial Aid Office monitors a student’s academic progress to verify continued eligibility when the student applies for financial aid and at the end of each semester. A student’s entire academic history is considered in determining eligibility which includes periods when financial aid was not received.

Once final grades have been posted at the end of each semester, an evaluation will be performed to determine the student’s satisfactory academic progress. To remain in good academic standing and to be eligible to receive financial aid, a student must meet the following conditions:

  1. A student must maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade point average (GPA). All coursework completed at Sampson Community College is included in the student’s cumulative GPA.
  2. A student must successfully complete a minimum of 67 percent of the cumulative attempted credit hours in the active program of study. Attempted hours include all developmental courses, all withdrawals, incompletes, and repeated courses. Transfer credits accepted by the college are also included. See the following example:
    Number of credit hours student is originally enrolled
    		 Number of credit hours student must complete to meet 67%
    15 11
    12 8
    9 6
  3. A student must complete degree, diploma, and certificate requirements within the maximum timeframe allowed. The maximum timeframe is 150 percent of the credit hours required to complete a program of study. All attempted credits count toward the 150 percent even if they are not required for the student’s current program of study. See the following examples:
    Program of Study
    		 Number of Credit hours to complete program
    		 Number of Credit hours equaling 150%
    Associate in Arts Degree
    		 60 90
    Information Systems Security Degree
    		 65 98
    Welding Technology Diploma
    		 36 54
    Early Childhood Education Certificate
    		 16 24

Students will be notified when they are nearing the maximum time frame for completion of their program. Developmental courses are included in the student’s attempted hours. Students may not receive federal financial aid for more than 30 credit hours of developmental coursework.

Limits on Financial Aid Eligibility

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 limits the receipt of a federal Pell Grant to a lifetime limit of twelve (12) semesters of full-time enrollment, which is 600 percent. This is monitored by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). Once a student has reached the 600 percent lifetime eligibility limit, they are no longer eligible to receive additional Pell Grant and other state and federal funds. There is no appeal for process for the lifetime eligibility limit in accordance with DOE regulations.

Financial Aid Academic Warning

Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA of 2.0 and/or successfully complete the minimum cumulative credit hours (67%) at the end of each semester will receive an email notice sent to their SCC email account, and the warning will be posted in the student’s Self-Service account. Students on academic warning are eligible to receive financial aid for one additional semester. Students on academic warning are not permitted to preregister for the next semester until satisfactory academic progress is verified. Before students on academic warning are allowed to register for courses, they must meet with a Success Coach to review their academic progress and discuss strategies for improving academic success. Students who do not meet minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress during the next semester of enrollment may be subject to further sanctions and loss of financial aid.

When a student has successfully achieved both a cumulative 2.0 GPA and cumulative 67% passing rate as required by federal regulations their academic status will return to satisfactory.

Financial Aid Academic Suspension

Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA of 2.0 and/or successfully complete the minimum cumulative credit hours (67%) by the end of the academic warning period will be placed on academic suspension. Financial aid recipients on academic suspension are not eligible to receive Pell Grant and other state and federal funds. A student may appeal to have financial aid eligibility reinstated following the process for financial aid appeals.

Financial Aid Appeal Process

Students who have not met the standards of academic progress for financial aid recipients may appeal their academic standing in the following ways:

Appeal of Unsatisfactory Academic Progress

This appeal may be filed based on unusual circumstances that negatively affected the student’s academic performance. These factors may include death in the immediate family, personal illness/injury, or special circumstances. Appropriate documentation supporting the student’s claims must be submitted with the appeal.

Students seeking to appeal unsatisfactory academic progress should submit an Unsatisfactory Progress Appeal Form to the Financial Aid Office with supporting documentation of the claim. The form is available in Student Services and on the Financial Aid Forms page on the College’s website. The Director of Financial Aid will coordinate an appeals committee review with the Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs and the Dean of Student Services. The committee will review the appeal to make a determination regarding the student’s continued eligibility. Students will be notified in writing of the outcome within fifteen (15) business days.

Maximum Timeframe Appeal

Students who have exceeded the 150 percent maximum timeframe allowed to complete program requirements may appeal on the basis of having a limited number of courses remaining to complete the program of study or other special circumstances.

Students seeking to appeal must meet with their academic advisor to complete a Maximum Timeframe Appeal Form. The form is available in Student Services and on the Financial Aid Forms page on the College’s website. The completed form must be signed by the student’s academic advisor before submitting it to the Financial Aid Office. The Director of Financial Aid will coordinate an appeals committee review with the Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs and Dean of Student Services. The committee will review the appeal to make a determination regarding the student’s continued eligibility. Students will be notified in writing of the outcome within fifteen (15) business days.

Tuition

Tuition for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters for in-state curriculum students is $76.00 per credit hour, not to exceed $1,216.00 per semester. Tuition for out-of-state students is $268.00 per credit hour, not to exceed $4,288.00 per semester. The College shall charge for each credit hour taken up to 16 credit hours. All credit hours taken during the semester that exceed 16 will be at no cost. Students enrolled for twelve (12) or more credit hours are considered full-time. All tuition and fees are due and must be paid prior to entering the first scheduled class.

NOTE: Tuition is set by North Carolina state policy and is subject to change without notice.

Textbooks

Students are required to provide or purchase their own textbooks. The College operates a bookstore located on the first floor of the Warren Student Center. The bookstore stocks the necessary books and materials for the courses currently offered by the College. The cost of books and other items varies with the program of instruction.

Book Refund and Exchange Policy

Books may be exchanged or returned for a 100 percent refund if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to or on the official 10 percent date of the semester. For classes beginning at times other than the first week (seven calendar days of the semester), a 100 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to or on the 10 percent point of the class.

Refunds or exchanges will not be allowed for textbooks that have been soiled, written in, or if shrink wrap has been removed. No refunds are allowed on supply items. Students must show a valid ID and a cash receipt when returning books.