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Tuition Waivers

Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

Students who meet specific requirements in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes may be eligible for in-state tuition waivers under the following conditions:

  1. When an employer (other than the armed services) pays the full tuition for an employee who works at a North Carolina business location to attend a community college, the employer may be charged the in-state tuition rate even when the employee does not meet the requirements for in-state tuition.
  2. Out-of-state members of the armed forces and the dependent relatives of such members who are stationed at a North Carolina base are eligible to be charged the in-state tuition rate under. The student must submit appropriate documentation prior to initial enrollment and re-enrollment each successive academic year.

In-State Tuition for Veterans

For veterans, the 12-month residency requirement for in-State tuition is waived for any veteran who meets all of the following criteria:

  • Served active duty for at least 90 days in the Armed Forces
  • Was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Qualifies for and uses federal educational benefits under either the Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty Education Program or the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.
  • Qualifies for admission to the community college.
  • The veteran’s abode is North Carolina, meaning the veteran must actually live in NC, whether temporarily or permanently.
  • Provides the college with a letter of intent to establish legal residence in North Carolina.

For other individuals, the 12-month residency requirement is waived if the person meets all of the following criteria:

  • The person is the recipient of a veteran’s federal educational benefits under either 38 USC Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty Education Program) or 38 USC Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 Educational Assistance).
  • The person qualifies for admission and enrolls in a community college within 3 years of the veteran’s discharge or release from the Armed Forces, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  • The person’s abode is North Carolina meaning the person must actually live in NC, whether temporarily or permanently.
  • The person provides the institution of higher education with a letter of intent to establish legal residence in North Carolina.

After expiration of the three-year period, any enrolled veteran or other enrolled individual eligible for the educational benefits listed above and for whom the 12-month residency requirement was waived will continue to be eligible for the in-state tuition rate so long as the veteran or qualified individual remains continuously enrolled at the same institution of higher education.

This applies to qualifying veterans and other individuals listed above who enroll in institutions of higher education for any academic quarter, term, or semester that begins on or after July 1, 2015. Additional questions can be directed to the Colleges’ Veterans Affairs Certifying Official or local Veteran’s Administration Office.

Veterans Choice Act

Under Section 702 of the Veterans Choice Act, a Veteran or dependent with transferred entitlement, can get in-state tuition rates even if they haven’t lived in North Carolina. Once classes start, the student will need to be living in North Carolina. The student may be eligible for in-state tuition if all of these requirements are met:

  • Are receiving benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Montgomery GI Bill® Active Duty (MGIB-AD), or Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), and
  • Are a “covered individual” (see below) and
  • Live in North Carolina where Sampson Community College is located, when the student starts school

Covered Individuals

As a Veteran, a “covered individual” has served on active duty for at least 90 days since September 10, 2001. As a spouse or child of a Veteran, a student is considered a “covered individual” if one of these is true:

  • The student is using education benefits transferred from a Veteran, or
  • The student is using benefits under the Fry Scholarship and the Veteran had served a period of active-duty service of at least 90 days before their death

Effective August 1, 2022, students using benefits through the Chapter 35 Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program will be eligible for in-state tuition rates per Senate Bill 1095 Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness for Survivors Act of 2021.

Keeping Covered Individual Status

A student can keep their status as a covered individual as long as they stay enrolled. Students can take scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms, but will lose their status as a covered individual if they leave school and then enroll again.

Isakson and Roe Section 1005

Veterans and dependents qualify for in-state residency after initial classification of out-of-state. Isakson and Roe section 1005, requires any beneficiaries residing in-state shall be charged in-state tuition regardless of when they were discharged from the military. This takes effect Aug. 1, 2021. Documentation showing military affiliation may be requested.