Guilford College

Provides financial aid for Continuing Education students at Guilford College, with preference given to women who are working and/or raising families.

provides assistance to Guilford College students who have exhibited outstanding academic ability and who have a demonstrated financial need, with preference to students from Rockingham County, N.C. This fund is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Scholastic Excellence Award (SEA) is awarded to outstanding CCE transfer students who are working toward their first bachelor’s degree. Applicants must transfer to Guilford College with a minimum of 24 semester hours of transferable college credit and a minimum grade point average of 3.25 from each previous institution attended. Award recipients must carry a minimum course load of eight semester hours. Awards of up to $1,000 per semester are made with special consideration given to those who demonstrate financial need.

It is recommended that students first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then consult with CCE staff or a Student Financial Services counselor. Guilford’s Federal Code number for use on the FAFSA is 002931. Based on that application, the Office of Student Financial Services will determine your eligibility for scholarships and subsequently will make that award part of your financial aid award letter.

North Carolina residents who attend Guilford as fulltime students or three quarter students may be eligible for the new NC Need-Based Scholarship. Legal residents of North Carolina with EFC’s (Expected Family Contribution) of $15,000 or less and meet the eligibility criteria of the Federal Pell Grant Program are eligible for the scholarship. Individual grant amounts will vary according to the EFC of students who complete the FAFSA. Funding is determined on a year to year basis by the North Carolina State Legislature.

Federal Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added. A Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2012-13 award year (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013) is $5,550.

The amount you get, though, will depend not only on your financial need, but also on your costs to attend school, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. You may receive up to two consecutive Pell Grant awards during a single award year to accelerate your program toward your degree. You must be enrolled at least half-time and in a program that leads to an associate or bachelor’s degree or certificate.

First, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Guilford’s Federal Code number for use on the FAFSA is 002931. Based on that application, Student Financial Services will determine your eligibility for a Pell Grant and subsequently will make that award part of your financial aid award letter.

Federal Stafford Loans, both subsidized and unsubsidized, are available through the Federal Direct Loan Program. Students who apply for Federal Stafford Student Loans must be matriculated, degree-seeking candidates enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) per semester. Federal regulations specify that federal aid recipients must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or eligible non-citizens.

The subsidized Stafford Loans are need-based, and the government pays the interest on these loans while the student is in school, during a six-month grace period immediately preceding repayment and during authorized deferment. The unsubsidized Stafford Loans are not need-based, and the student is responsible for all of the interest that accrues on the loan, including while in school.

A half-time student enrolled with at least six credit hours will be eligible for a specific amount of Federal Stafford Loans each academic year based on their grade level and dependency status. Below are the borrowing limits:

First, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Guilford’s Federal Code Number for use on the FAFSA is 002931. Based on that application, Student Financial Services will determine your eligibility for either a subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford Loan and subsequently make that award part of your financial aid award letter.

In order to accept any Federal Stafford Loan money in your financial aid award package, you must:

1.  Sign on to Banner Web
2.  Click the Financial Aid tab
3.  Go to “Award”
4.  Go to “Award for Aid Year” and select 2012-13
5.  Click on “Accept Award Offer”

At this point, you will accept, decline or adjust the amount of your Federal Stafford Loan. From Banner Web, you can follow the link to www.studentloans.gov where you can sign your promissory note and Loan Entrance Counseling. Your subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans WILL NOT process if you do not complete these steps.

Federal Perkins Loan Program offers student loans with an interest rate of 5 percent to CCE students who are currently employed in the field of law enforcement. Loans must be repaid within 10 years. Payments begin nine months after the student leaves Guilford College or falls below half-time status. While you are in school at least half-time and during your six-month grace period, interest will not accrue and no payments are required. Following the grace period, the student will be billed on a monthly basis for the Perkins Loan. Deferments and extensions may apply under certain circumstances.

The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Guilford’s Federal Code number for use on the FAFSA is 002931. Based on that application, Student Financial Services will determine your eligibility for a Perkins Loan and subsequently will make that award part of your financial aid award letter. Along with the award letter you will receive a Federal Perkins Loan information sheet and request form. You must then complete and return the Perkins Loan Request Form. From that form we start the loan process. You will receive a Perkins Promissory Note from the lender. Your loan proceeds will not transfer to Guilford College until that promissory note has been signed and returned to your lender.

Guilford College is pleased to be able to make available several third-party options for loans after students have looked into the federal loan programs. These loans are provided by banks and lending institutions and carry reasonable interest rates and repayment plans. They can be used to pay any balance due on a student’s account up to the difference between the financial aid awarded and the student’s budget.

Visit ELMSelect for a list of lenders for alternative loans. There, you can do a comparison of loans and apply for your chosen loan online. When you have completed the online application with the lender, they will notify Guilford College to certify the loan. We will then adjust your financial aid package and send you an amended award letter that will include the anticipated funds from your loan.