Eligibility for Financial Aid

When considering attending community college, paying for it is probably one of the first thoughts that comes to mind! We can help you understand the options available to you for financial aid and what you may be eligible to receive.

Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements for receiving financial aid may change from year to year. Specific requirements are established by the U.S. Department of Education for federally funded aid programs. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority and the North Carolina Community College System determine eligibility for state-funded programs. Any local and/or private scholarship sources determine the eligibility for awarding funds from
their respective programs.

Students must be in a program leading to a degree, diploma, or eligible certificate (at least 16 semester hours and/or 38 contact hours in length) to be eligible for Federal financial aid. Therefore, students enrolled as Special Credit/Undecided are not eligible to receive Federal financial aid. In addition, any student in default of a student loan or owing a repayment of Pell Grant funds will not be awarded financial aid. Students must have a high school diploma or GED certificate in order to receive federal and/or state financial aid. An official copy of that transcript must be on file in the MTCC Admissions Office.

All students receiving financial aid must maintain satisfactory academic progress. At MTCC, students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 and complete 67% of all credit hours attempted. Students that receive  financial aid and subsequently withdraw from classes before the end of the semester may be required to repay a portion of Pell Grant and SEOG funds.

Students falling below the minimum standard for academic progress and/or in ineligible status due to overpayment of Pell Grant funds or student loan default should contact the MTCC Financial Aid Office to determine how their eligibility may be regained. (See upcoming section regarding satisfactory academic progress for further explanation.)