Financial Aid Eligibility

How Eligibility is Determined
Once your FAFSA is received and is complete, we will verify your admission status, academic progress, and your expected enrollment status.

Most federal financial aid is based on your financial need.  Your need is calculated by the estimated cost of attendance less your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) which his determined by a formula from all information reported on the FAFSA.  

Cost of attendance includes estimates for:

  • Tuition and fees
  • Books and supplies
  • Room and board
  • Personal expense
  • Transportation

In order to be eligible for any Title IV financial aid, a student must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Be accepted into a program of study through the Admissions Office leading to a degree or certificate.
  • Be a high school graduate, or have earned a recognized general equivalency diploma (G.E.D.) or demonstrate ability to benefit by passing an independently administered examination prior to enrollment.
  • Be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  • Not owe a refund or repayment of any previously received Title IV financial aid funds.
  • Not be in default on previously received student loans.

Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Convictions 
A federal or state drug conviction can disqualify you for any federal student aid.

Students who have been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs while receiving federal student aid may have their eligibility for federal student aid suspended. Not all convictions count, so it is important to understand the regulations concerning this topic completely.

Under the Higher Education Act, a student may become ineligible for federal student aid upon conviction of any offense involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs while receiving Title IV federal financial aid. Federal aid includes Federal Direct Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and Federal Work Study.

Penalties for Drug Convictions

Possession of Illegal Drugs:

  • First Offense:  1 year from the date of conviction
  • Second Offense:  2 years from the date of conviction
  • Third and Subsequent Offenses:  Indefinite ineligibility from the date of conviction


Sale of Illegal Drugs:

  • First Offense:  2 years from the date of conviction
  • Second and Subsequent Offenses:  Indefinite ineligibility from the date of conviction

When completing your FAFSA, if you answer “yes” to the question that asks “Have you been convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid?” You will be prompted to answer additional questions to determine aid eligibility.

By accepting state and federal aid, you are obligated to comply with all rules and regulations that govern these programs.  It is your responsibility to be familiar with financial aid eligibility and to immediately correct any compliance issues or risk losing financial aid.

Actions that May Affect Eligibility

Many actions may cause you to lose eligibility, even after the semester begins.  These include but are not limited to:

  • Changes in your course registration by dropping classes
  • Program changes
  • Transferring credits from other colleges
  • Student loan defaults
  • Academic progress
  • Taking courses that are not degree/program requirements of your current program of study
  • Withdrawing before financial aid eligibility is determined
  • Withdrawing or ceasing attendance in all classes prior to completing 60% of the semester
  • Felony conviction of possession or sale of illegal drugs while receiving federal financial aid
  • Incomplete documents/information requested to finalize verification

Academic Forgiveness
Students who are readmitted or students who have been granted Academic Forgiveness or a Fresh Start for previous coursework are subject to the standards defined in the Standards of Academic Progress.  All previous credits attempted and earned at NCCC must be included in each review of academic progress for federal aid; therefore, even coursework “forgiven” academically must be considered in the review.