How To Read Your Award Letter

This reference provides information on what your award letter means and in some cases, the steps to take to complete your financial aid process. Please note that you will not have all of the items listed below. We suggest looking at your award letter first and using this guide to better understand what you are personally awarded. For more information on each specific fund visit the Programs at a Glance.

Academic Comp Grant I/II – The Academic Competitiveness Grant is awarded to students who are Pell Grant eligible and have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study on or after January 1, 2006. ACG is available for the student’s first two academic years.

Escheats Grant – This is a grant provided by the state that does not need to be repaid.

Federal Direct Sub Loan* – This is a subsidized* Stafford loan funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Unsub Direct Loan** – This is an unsubsidized** Stafford loan funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Federal Supp Educ Opp Grant - This is the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. This is a program for undergraduates with exceptional financial need and does not need to be repaid.

Federal Work Study – This is on-campus work that is paid $9/hour for 10 hours/week. Please note that Federal Work Study does not pay your tuition.

NC Need Base Grant – This is an institutional grant that does not need to be repaid.

NC Student Incentive Grant – This is a grant provided by the state that does not need to be repaid.

NC Educational Lottery Sch – This the NC Education Lottery Scholarship and is a grant provided by the state that does not need to be repaid.

NC Tuition Offset Grant - This is an institutional grant that does not need to be repaid.

NC EARN Scholarship - This is a grant provided by the state that does not need to be repaid.

Pell Grant – This is a need-based federal grant for undergraduate students seeking their first baccalaureate degree and does not need to be repaid.

Smart Grant I/II – The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART) is awarded to third and fourth year students who are Pell Grant eligible and pursuing majors in the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering, or foreign languages critical to the national security of the United States.

UNC Need Base Grant – This is a grant provided by the state that does not need to be repaid.

*Subsidized eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The loan interest is paid on your behalf by the federal government while you are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in an eligible program of study and during grace/deferment periods.

**Unsubsidized eligibility is not based on financial need. Loan interest begins accruing within sixty days of disbursement and can be paid while you are in school or deferred until you begin repayment.