Steps to apply for aid
SUBMIT the FAFSA by March 1 (School code 2972)
All students who wish to be considered for federal aid, state and institutional need-based financial aid must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA should be completed online as soon as possible after January 1 for the upcoming academic year. NC State’s priority filing date for submitting this form to the federal student aid processing center is MARCH 1. Students who submit FAFSAs by the priority filing date are given first consideration for all need-based scholarship and grant assistance awarded by the university.
RETAIN a copy for your records
Keep a copy of the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA for your file. Also, be sure to retain copies of all the documentation used to complete the FAFSA as that documenation may be requested later.
CHECK your email for FAFSA results
Within approximately four weeks of completing the FAFSA, you should receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) indicating that your FAFSA has been processed and sent to the institutions you designated. If you provided an email address, you will receive an email notification with instructions for viewing and printing your SAR. If you did not provide a valid email address, a paper SAR will be mailed to you. Check the SAR for accuracy, and make sure that NC State is listed as a recipient of your information. If NC State is listed as a recipient of your data, that information should be transmitted electronically to the institution for review.
SUBMIT the NC State Institutional Financial Aid Application
This form is required only for first time financial aid applicants. The NC State Institutional Financial Aid Application may be printed directly from our Forms and Publications page, requested from the NC State Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, or one will be mailed to you automatically upon receipt of your electronic FAFSA data from the federal processing center.
SUBMIT any other requested documentation promptly.
You may be requested to submit copies of tax returns, verification worksheets, or other documentation to complete your financial aid application. Respond promptly to these requests to assure timely processing of your application.
RECEIVE your award letter
Financial aid award packages are mailed to entering freshmen and transfer students whose files are complete by the priority filing date as soon after March 1 as possible. Continuing students are notified after spring grades have been entered and satisfactory progress reviewed, generally beginning around June 1. Veterinary students and Graduate students typically receive award notification in late June.
REVIEW the award information carefully.
Be sure to read the materials accompanying your award letter for conditions and responsibilities, policy on satisfactory academic progress, and the update form attached to your award. Verify that the award assumptions are correct. Changes to your enrollment status, housing plans, residency status, or other changes may result in changes to your award. If any of the assumptions are incorect, you must submit the Update Form.
**New for 2009-10**
ACCEPT/DECLINE your awards.
You must Accept or Decline your aid offered. Log in to MyPack Portal to view and accept your awards. If you do not accept your awards, your bill from the University Cashier’s Office will not reflect your aid. Your aid will not disburse until you have accepted your aid offered.
NOTIFY OSFA if you will receive additional aid
If you expect to receive any outside assistance that is not listed on your award letter, you must report that aid to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid immediately.
Outside Scholarships should be reported to our office using the Scholarship Notification Form.
Other assistance, such as sponsorship, veteran’s benefits, GI Bill funding, Vocational Rehabilitation, ROTC assistance, tuition reimbursement, housing benefits for Resident Advisors and Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP) benefits should be reported as follows:
- Report these benefits to the OSFA via the instructions on the Update Form
- These benefits are billed and paid directly to the University Cashier's Office (UCO). In order to ensure the appropriate billing and credit to your billing statement from UCO, you must also report this assistance to the UCO.
SEND scholarship checks
All outside scholarship checks should be made payable to NC State University and mailed directly to the OSFA for proper credit toward your University charges. Do NOT mail any scholarship checks to the University Cashier’s Office or Payment Processing Center. All scholarship checks will be equally divided between the fall and spring semesters unless otherwise requested or indicated as a single semester disbursement. To ensure proper administration of your scholarship, you should submit the Donor Instructions Form to your scholarship donor.
COMPLETE the Master Promissory Note (MPN) for any loans you will borrow
For first time borrowers of a Federal Stafford loan, your preferred lender will send you either a paper MPN or instructions for completing the MPN online. The Stafford MPN should be returned directly to your lender. If you have been offered a Federal Perkins loan or a University Loan and did not receive one during the prior year, the appropriate MPN has been included with your award letter. You must sign and return the Perkins/University loan promissory note to the OSFA before your funds can be disbursed to you.
COMPLETE Entrance Loan Counseling
If this is your first time borrowing a Federal Stafford Loan, you must complete Entrance Loan Counseling at Mapping Your Future before your loan funds can be disbursed to you.
REVIEW your eBILL from the University Cashier's Office
An electronic billing statement (eBILL) will be emailed to you several weeks before the beginning of each semester. Your estimated aid will be reflected on that bill and you will be instructed to pay any remaining balance due after estimated aid has been deducted from all eligible charges. Your eBILL is accessible via MyPack Portal by selecting “Student Self Service,” “Campus Finances,” “Account Summary,” and “View eBILL.”
SIGN UP for Direct Deposit
If you are receiving more aid than your billed charges, you may be due a refund of excess financial aid from the Cashier’s Office. To receive your refund most quickly, you may elect to have this refund deposited directly into your checking account. To sign up, go to MyPack Portal under the Financial Info tab and complete the online registration. If you elect not to sign up for direct deposit, a refund check will be mailed to the mailing address you have on file with the University.
AID will be applied toward your University charges
Financial Aid awarded or administered by the OSFA (except Federal Work Study) is disbursed by the University Cashier’s Office. Financial aid must be used first to pay any outstanding tuition and fees, room rent and meal plan charges for each semester. Most funds will be credited directly to your account in the Cashier’s Office at the beginning of each semester. If you are due a refund, the excess funds will be sent to you at the start of the semester or as soon as possible after the semester has begun.
SUMMER SCHOOL Financial Aid
You will need to complete a separate NC State Institutional Application for Summer Financial Aid if you need funds for summer school. Those forms are generally available in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid by March 15 for the upcoming summer, and must be completed within specified deadlines each year. You must be enrolled for at least 6 hours in summer to receive a Stafford Loan. Generally loans are the only aid available for summer school.
REAPPLY for aid for next year
Financial aid is not automatically renewed from year to year. You must complete a Renewal FAFSA to be considered for aid for the following academic year. You may begin completing the FAFSA after January 1, and it must be received by the federal processor by March 1 to be considered on-time for institutional aid. The amount and type of aid you are awarded may change each year according to your demonstrated need, academic progress, and available aid resources.