Financial Aid Guide
The financial aid guide explains financial aid at Central Piedmont, providing you and your family with the terms and conditions of receiving financial aid.
Review and become familiar with the following information so that you can advocate for yourself and receive the maximum financial aid that is available to you.
The information in this guide is current for the 2023-2024 award year and is subject to revision should federal, state, or institutional policies change.
Review the following by section:
How Your Financial Aid is Determined
Student Financial Aid Programs
Charging Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies
Payment of Your Financial Aid Award and Unclaimed Funds
Withdrawal from Central Piedmont
Financial Aid's Satisfactory Academic Progress
Tips to Help You Avoid Financial Aid Warning and Probation
Reconsideration Request Appeal
Student Rights and Responsibilities
What is Changing with the 2024-25 FAFSA?
Your Financial Aid Award
To review your financial aid award online, log in to your Central Piedmont MyCollege account. You’ll find your latest award letter there, including notification of any outstanding documents you may need to provide in order for us to complete your award package.
Eligibility Requirements
Most student aid is awarded based on financial need. Unlike scholarship programs that may award funds based on academic merit or your field of study, need-based grants, loans, and work-study are based on your demonstrated need for financial assistance.
The Financial Aid Cost of Attendance is the cornerstone of establishing financial need. It sets a limit on the total aid that you may receive for purposes of the Federal Work-Study Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. It is also one of the basic components of the Federal Pell Grant calculation.
Learn more about the requirements at Financial Aid Eligibility.
How Your Financial Need is Determined
Financial aid programs are based on the principle that you (and your parent or spouse, if applicable) are considered to be the primary source of financial support for postsecondary education. Financial aid is intended to supplement, not replace, family resources. The Financial Aid Cost of Attendance:
- provides an estimate of educational expenses
- establishes financial need
- sets the limit on maximum financial aid
The formula for determining financial need is: Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution (EFC) equals Financial Need.
Enrollment Status
Your financial aid award is based on the number of credit hours you are enrolled in.
Learn more about enrollment status at Financial Aid Eligibility.
Overawards
An overaward exists when your aid package exceeds the total cost of your need. Federal regulations require that the amount of your financial aid cannot exceed your eligibility. Financial aid recipients are obligated to notify the Financial Aid Office of any financial assistance awarded from a source outside of the college by submitting the Outside Financial Aid Notification form. Visit Financial Aid Forms for instructions on how to submit the form.
Learn more at Financial Aid Awards and Refunds.
Eligible Programs and Courses
Financial aid can only cover state-approved degrees or federal-approved certificates.
Learn more at Financial Aid Eligibility.
Repeated Courses
Federal regulations limit the number of times you may repeat a course and receive financial aid for that course.
Learn more about the Repeated Coursework Policy.
Student Financial Aid Programs
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant, which does not have to be repaid, provides financial assistance to undergraduate students who demonstrate a need for financial assistance to attend college. To determine financial need, the U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution number. The Student Aid Report contains the EFC number that determines eligibility.
Learn more about the Federal Pell Grant.
Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study Program gives you the opportunity to work part-time while attending school. To qualify for a Federal Work-Study position, you must demonstrate financial need and meet all financial aid eligibility requirements. You may work up to 20 hours per week. Pay rates are $15 on campus and $18 off campus.
Learn more about Federal Work-Study.
Scholarships
Scholarships are provided through the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation and the generosity of industries, businesses, professional organizations, civic clubs, and individuals.
Funds are limited — apply early.
Learn more about Central Piedmont scholarships.
We also encourage you to conduct a continuous search for outside scholarships to help reduce your overall bill. Scholarship opportunities may be funded by individuals, companies, churches, or other organizations.
Be aware that some scholarship offers are not what they seem. You can avoid getting scammed by ignoring offers that require you to attend a “free” seminar, pay a “small fee,” or provide a credit card number.
North Carolina Scholarship
The North Carolina Scholarship, funded by the State of North Carolina, works with federal aid to provide a guaranteed amount of financial assistance with additional state funding provided to students with exceptional need.
Learn more about the North Carolina Scholarship.
North Carolina Student Aid Transition Scholarship
The North Carolina Student Aid Transition Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate North Carolina residents based on the results from your FAFSA. The amount of your scholarship depends on your EFC and your enrollment status:
- full-time (12 or more credit hours)
- three-quarter time (9-11 credit hours)
- half-time (6-8 credit hours)
The scholarship is not available for the summer term or for less-than-half-time enrollment. Eligible students would have received the grant for the 2022-23 academic year, and would not have been eligible for the North Carolina Scholarship award for the 2023-2024 academic year due to having an EFC range between $7,500–$8,500.
All North Carolina awards are awarded for the fall and spring semesters only. Along with the eligibility requirements of each grant, you are required to:
- be a North Carolina resident according to the NC Residency Determination Service
- enroll in at least 6 credit hours
- meet satisfactory academic progress eligibility requirements
Charging Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies
Central Piedmont allows students who meet all deadlines to charge tuition and fees as well as books and supplies to their awarded financial aid. Be prepared to pay any costs not covered by financial aid or any prior balances you may owe to the college.
Learn more at Using Your Financial Aid for Books and Supplies.
Payment of Your Financial Aid Award and Unclaimed Funds
Financial aid awards are generally paid to your account 30 to 40 business days into each semester for courses that have met at least one time.
If there are any funds remaining from your financial aid award after tuition, fees, and book charges are paid, the remaining balance — often called a ‘credit balance’ — will be paid to you on your BankMobile/Vibe debit card or a wire transfer to your personal checking or savings account.
If the Business Office has sent you a refund by check because your BankMobile card was not set up, it is up to you to ensure that those funds are cashed to your bank account in a timely manner.
Learn more at Financial Aid Awards and Refunds.
Keep Copies of Everything
It is important to keep copies of all financial aid award letters, registration, and bookstore receipts. All or part of your award may be considered taxable income. It is your responsibility to report this information to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) if necessary. The Financial Aid Office is not responsible for determining the taxability of aid. Please consult with the IRS or with a tax professional.
Communication
We will communicate with you through your Central Piedmont student email account. Check this email account frequently.
FERPA and Financial Aid
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy of student records by requiring prior written consent before disclosing personally identifiable information to a third party. Records created and maintained by the Financial Aid Office are considered to be education records and may not be disclosed without your consent.
Learn more and obtain the student information release authorization form on our FERPA page.
Withdrawal from Central Piedmont
You are encouraged to meet with a Financial Aid Advisor before withdrawing from Central Piedmont. This is important because your withdrawal may affect your eligibility for financial aid and may result in you having to repay all or a portion of your financial aid award back to Central Piedmont and/or the U.S. Department of Education.
Excessive withdrawals may adversely affect your satisfactory academic progress in accordance with Central Piedmont’s Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy.
Return of Title IV Funds
Federal regulations require recalculation of federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, drop out, or are expelled prior to completing 60% of a semester/term. If a calculation results in an overpayment, you may owe a debt to the college and the U.S. Department of Education.
Learn more at Return of Title IV Funds.
Return to State Grant Funds
Students who receive state grant funds are also subject to a return of funds policy similar to the federal policy described previously. The main difference, however, is that you will owe a refund for withdrawing from all classes on or before the 35% point of the semester versus the 60% point used for federal funds.
Financial Aid’s Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal and state regulations require that students receiving financial aid maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Central Piedmont applies these standards to all federal and state financial aid funds in order to maintain a consistent procedure for all students. In order to be eligible for financial aid, you must meet minimum guidelines.
It is your responsibility to be aware of your satisfactory academic progress status for financial aid eligibility.
Review Satisfactory Academic Progress to be Eligible for Financial Aid.
Appeal Process
If you are placed on Financial Aid Suspension, you may file a written appeal.
Learn about the appeal process and how to make a Standards of Academic Progress Appeal.
Tips to Help You Avoid Financial Aid Warning and Probation
- Have an academic plan in place. Following an academic plan will help you know which classes are required to earn a degree or certificate at Central Piedmont. Also, get familiar with the college catalog. It has important college policies that every student should know and it lists all your degree or certificate requirements.
- Focus on degree requirements. Make sure that you’re not only taking electives; completing the academic requirements earns you the degree and helps to ensure successful transfer to a four-year college or university.
- Attend class on a regular basis. Excessive absences lead to missed assignments and falling behind on coursework.
- Complete the semester and all courses you are enrolled in. This is important to maintain financial aid eligibility. Multiple withdrawals and incompletes will have a negative impact on your ability to receive financial aid at Central Piedmont.
- Talk to a financial aid counselor before you withdraw. We understand that extenuating circumstances happen and sometimes withdrawal cannot be avoided. A financial aid counselor can give you guidance about your financial aid status to help you to maintain financial aid satisfactory academic progress.
Reconsideration Request Appeal
Central Piedmont recognizes that changes may be experienced in the financial situation of a household. While the FAFSA determines financial aid eligibility based on data from two years prior, the Reconsideration Request Appeal process exists to reevaluate your aid based on certain significant changes.
Learn about the Reconsideration Request Appeal.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Review Financial Aid Rights and Responsibilities.
What is Changing with the 2024-25 FAFSA?
The FAFSA has been streamlined to reduce the number of questions students must answer. The results of the 2024-2025 FAFSA are called the Student Aid Index (SAI). This replaces the former terminology called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
The new terminology is being implemented as part of the FAFSA. Student spouses and parents who provide information in the FAFSA are called contributors. This means they contribute information to the FAFSA. All contributors will need an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA.
Learn more about the FAFSA Simplification and how to complete the FAFSA.