The Office of Student Financial Aid provides education, guidance, and support to students and families throughout the financial aid process. We administer federal, state, and institutional aid programs to students at East Carolina University, the Brody School of Medicine, and the School of Dental Medicine. To connect with the Financial Aid office, visit the Contact Us website.
Applying for Financial Aid
To apply for grants, loans, work-study and some scholarships you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and university aid programs. Even if you think you may not be eligible, we encourage you to apply. The FAFSA is available beginning October 1. We encourage you to file your FAFSA online as soon as possible to avoid errors and ensure faster processing. ECU’s priority deadline is March 1.
You may apply for aid before you receive your admission decision, however, you will not receive an award notification until you have been admitted into a degree seeking program of study at East Carolina University. To ensure that East Carolina University receives your FAFSA information, please be sure to include ECU’s Federal School Code: 002923 on your FAFSA.
Types of Aid
Scholarships - Scholarships are gifts of money that do not require repayment. Scholarships usually recognized special achievements in academics, talent, and leadership. Some scholarships also require that students demonstrate financial need.
- ECU Scholarships
- North Carolina Scholarships
- Other Scholarships
Grants - Grants are funds that do not require repayment. Grants are generally awarded to students with the greatest financial need, which is determined by completion of the FAFSA.
- Federal Grants
- Institutional Grants
- State Grants
Loans - Loans are funds borrowed that require some type of repayment with interest. Loans can come from public and private sources, and vary in amount, interest, and repayment requirements.
- Direct Loans
- Parent PLUS Loans
- Private Alternative Student Loans
- Nursing Loans
Military and Service Programs - ECU Financial Aid staff are trained to answer questions about all forms of aid, in general. For specific benefit questions, students are referred to the Veterans Affairs office. Students and families who self-identify as veterans or the dependent of a veteran are urged to work with the benefits coordinators at their branch of service and then work with the offices on campus. The Financial Aid Office does not play a role in helping students to access these benefits but encourage students to seek connection in the Office of Veterans Affairs.
Receiving your Financial Aid
Students must accept or deny their award offer. Grants are automatically accepted. For step by step instructions on how your student can respond to their award offer, follow ECU Financial Aid’s instructions.
Disbursement of Aid
The University Cashier Office bills students for tuition, required fees, housing, and dining charges. Ten days prior to the start of the term the Office of Student Financial Aid will disburse each student’s financial aid directly to their Cashier account. This account is part of an automated system the Cashier Office uses to manage the billing and payment of tuition, fees, campus housing, dining, and other miscellaneous charges. Before aid is disbursed to a student’s account, they must meet all eligibility requirements.
- Credit Balances: Any balance left on a student’s account after all charges owed to the university has been paid will be disbursed based on the eRefund option through TouchNet.
- Refunds and Repayments: If a student’s registration status changes this may reduce and/or cancel financial aid eligibility. Before making changes, students should consult with their Academic Advisor and Financial Aid Administrator.
- Check Payments: Some private scholarships and alternative loan programs mail checks to the university. These checks are usually made payable to both the university and the student. The student will be notified via ECU email once the check has been received if student endorsement is required. All checks must be endorsed before they are credited to the student’s account. Checks will be held for a maximum of 60 days before returning them to the sender.
Overaward
Federal and State regulations prevent students from receiving Federal and/or State aid in excess of the estimated cost of attendance. An overaward can occur when students receive funds from other sources or outside agencies. When an overaward occurs the Office of Student Financial Aid is required to adjust the student’s award. As a result of this adjustment, a student may be required to repay funds.
It is very important to notify the ECU Office of Student Financial Aid of any assistance you receive (Scholarships, North Carolina Veterans Education Benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits, NC Child Welfare Collaborative, Resident Advisor Benefits) that is not listed on your award notice. You can do this by completing the Additional Aid and Other Resources form for the appropriate aid year.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
All students are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to federal regulations and standards established by ECU Office of Student Financial Aid Policy in order to receive and remain eligible for financial aid. ECU Office of Student Financial Aid’s SAP Policy consists of three components:
- Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Minimum cumulative course completion (ratio of attempted hours versus earned hours).
- Maximum timeframe (completion of a degree within a maximum number of credit hours).
SAP requirements for each component will vary according to your student type. Students’ SAP status will be checked at the end of each term (Fall, Spring, Summer). If they fail to meet the minimum requirements, they will be notified via email. Visit the SAP Policy website for more information.
Changes in Enrollment
Changes in a student’s enrollment can have an effect on their financial aid. It is important to know these potential effects when your student is considering making a change to their courses, which includes dropping a course, repeating a course, or withdrawal. Visit the Changes in Enrollment website for further details about each situation.
Course Program of Study Requirement (CPOS)
Course Program of Study (CPOS) is a U.S. Department of Education requirement that only considers courses counting toward a student’s program of study for financial aid eligibility. This means federal financial aid is only awarded for courses included in your program of study.
To receive a full financial aid award, your coursework must include a minimum of twelve (12) undergraduate hours or nine (9) graduate hours from your program of study each spring and fall semester. If a student’s credit hours do not meet this requirement, financial aid eligibility is reduced. Also note that dropped classes may reduce your financial aid, and the timing of a change of major is crucial.
This new reporting process helps you lower the cost of your education and stay focused with financial aid, course registration and your graduation timeline. For more information, visit the CPOS website.
