Through student financial aid programs, Appalachian State University makes every effort to assist students in meeting their educational expenses. With the exception of certain Appalachian academic scholarships, all students interested in receiving financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The student, and at least one parent of a dependent student, must have a U.S. Department of Education FSA ID to complete the FAFSA. Obtain an FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.gov. Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
In order to receive priority consideration for certain state grants, and to ensure financial aid will be packaged in time for the fall billing cycle, all students should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 and before Appalachian’s priority deadline of March 1 for the upcoming school year. The FAFSA may be completed after the priority deadline but the student may not have their financial aid packaged in time for the fall billing cycle, and they would not receive priority consideration for need-based grants.
Students must apply for financial aid each year by completing or renewing the FAFSA. Additionally financial aid funding does not transfer from one institution to another. It is the student’s responsibility to inquire about Appalachian’s financial aid application procedures for the academic year or for summer sessions.
Appalachian State University offers grants, loans and work opportunities to eligible students once the FAFSA data has been received. Several of these programs are briefly described on the following pages.
Financial aid recipients should refer to the index for “Refund Policy” for information concerning the return of funds due to withdrawal from the university.
For further information, please visit our website, www.financialaid.appstate.edu. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding University observed holidays.
Information for Veterans, Dependents of Disabled or Deceased Veterans, and/or Members of National Guard/Reserves
The University is approved for training veterans and dependents of deceased or disabled veterans under the following programs administered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs:
Post 9/11 GI Bill- Service Members, Veterans, & Transferees (Chapter 33)
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Chapter 33-Frye)
Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty Educational Assistance (Chapter 30)
Montgomery GI Bill-Selective Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1606)
Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
The following programs are approved but have been retired by the US Department of Veterans Affairs:
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP/Chapter 1607)
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32)
Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)
Persons eligible to receive these benefits must process an application to utilize VA Education Benefits or to transfer their established benefits to Appalachian from another school. Applications can be accessed online via the GI Bill website: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/apply.asp.
Children of disabled or deceased veterans, who are North Carolina residents, may be eligible for a scholarship from the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs, Raleigh, North Carolina that pays tuition, some fees, and an allowance for room and meals. Information regarding eligibility criteria as well as the scholarship application is available through the NC DVA website: scholarships.milvets.nc.gov/. The award is administered by Appalachian State University through the Office of Student Accounts.
Members of the National Guard and Selected Reserves may be eligible for tuition assistance. Service members applying for federal tuition assistance must apply online at www.goarmyed.com. Members of the North Carolina National Guard may also be eligible for state tuition assistance: applications must be completed online through the NCTAP application portal: www.2.ncseaa.edu/NCGuard/Login.aspx. Information regarding tuition assistance eligibility should be obtained from the service member’s unit.
Additional information regarding VA education benefits may be obtained by contacting the Office of Student Financial Aid, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, (828) 262-2190 or by visiting the Financial Aid Office website at www.financialaid.appstate.edu/veterans-military-education.
Student Employment Programs
The Student Employment Office, located in the Career Development Center, assists students in obtaining part-time job opportunities. On campus jobs are found through the Federal Work Study program and various Student Temporary positions. Student Employment places students who have accepted an award for Work Study through the Financial Aid Office. For more details about the Work Study Program, please visit: www.studentemployment.appstate.edu/pagesmith/11.
If a student does not qualify through Financial Aid for a Work Study assignment, Student Temporary work is found by applying with campus employers which include, but are not limited to: Food Services, University Recreation, University Housing, the Belk Library and Information Commons, and the Child Development Center. For more information regarding finding employment, please go to www.studentemployment.appstate.edu or visit the Office of Student Employment located in John E. Thomas Hall, Room 388 to meet with a staff member.
Student Loan Programs
Eligible students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive a federal student loan. Detailed information concerning student loan programs is available at www.financialaid.appstate.edu. General information is available in The Student Guide (published by the Department of Education), which may be obtained from any post-secondary institution or by accessing the Office of Student Financial Aid website at www.financialaid.appstate.edu. Loans available to Appalachian students include:
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (based on financial need)
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (not based on financial need)
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan (parent loan for undergraduate students, not based on financial need)
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate and Professional Students (not based on financial need)
Grants-In-Aid and Special Talent Awards
In recognition of students with special talents, the University provides grants in fields of activity such as drama, art, forensics, industrial arts, music, and athletics. In addition, many departments have their own scholarship funds for which students should inquire by writing to the department chair. Athletes should contact the coach of a specific sport.
Federal Pell Grant
All undergraduate students who have not received their first baccalaureate degree are applying for a Federal Pell Grant when they complete the FAFSA. In order to qualify for a Pell Grant, students must have exceptional financial need as determined by Federal Methodology and be enrolled for at least one credit hour required for their degree program (not audit or hours classified as “permit”). Amounts awarded are determined by the federal government and the approved costs associated with attendance at Appalachian.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This grant is awarded to those students with exceptional need. Students must be an undergraduate, working toward a first baccalaureate degree and enrolled at least half-time in hours required for their degree program (not audit hours or hours classified as “permit”) each term. Funding for this grant is limited and awarding is subject to funds availability. Complete the FAFSA to apply for the FSEOG.
UNC Campus Scholarship
The UNC Campus Scholarship is available for undergraduate students who are first generation college students, students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, or students from traditionally underrepresented populations. These students must have completed a FAFSA, are maintaining satisfactory academic progress, are enrolled full-time in credit hours required for their degree program per semester in a degree-granting program of study, have NC residency and demonstrate financial need to be considered for this scholarship.
UNC Campus Native American Scholarship
This UNC Campus Native American Scholarship is available to Native American undergraduate students who submit a Tribal Card or a Certificate of Blood, have completed a FAFSA, are maintaining satisfactory academic progress, are enrolled full-time in credit hours required for their degree program (12 or more credit hours), have NC residency, are in a degree-granting program of study, and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship amount is dependent on the number of eligible applicants and the amount of allocated funds each year.
UNC Need-Based Grant
College Foundation of North Carolina administers this grant and makes awards based on the following: the student must be a North Carolina resident; an undergraduate working toward a first baccalaureate degree; be enrolled for at least half-time in hours required for their degree program (6 or more credit hours; not audit or hours classified as “permit”) each term and have substantial financial need. The FAFSA must be submitted no later than the March 1 priority deadline in order for a student to have priority consideration for this grant. Students receiving residency exceptions (tuition and fees charged at the in-state rate) do not qualify for the NCNB grant.
North Carolina Need-Based Grant (NCNB)
In order to be considered for this grant, a student must be a resident of North Carolina and demonstrate exceptional need. This grant may be awarded to undergraduate students who meet the above requirements and enroll in at least 6 credit hours required for their degree program (not audit) hours. The student must complete a FAFSA to apply for the NCNB grant.
North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship
College Foundation of North Carolina administers this grant and makes awards based on the following: the student must be a North Carolina resident; an undergraduate working toward a first baccalaureate degree; be enrolled at least half-time in hours required for their degree program (6 or more credit hours; not audit or hours classified as “permit”) each term; must meet all federal student eligibility criteria; and have financial need according to the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) regulations and State Statute. The FAFSA must be submitted no later than the March 1 priority deadline for priority consideration.
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