The document provides information about university scholarships at East Carolina University, including eligibility requirements, the application process, and contact information. It states that scholarships are available to both incoming and continuing students, that applications are typically due in December through February, and that students can check the scholarship management system or individual college websites for scholarship opportunities and application methods. It concludes by providing contact information for the Office of University Scholarships.

1. Office of University
Scholarships

2. Eligibility Requirements
 The student must be….
 Enrolled or accepted for enrollment
 Typically enrolled in at least 12 hours of classes (12 hours is
considered full time. 15/16 hours per semester is needed to graduate in 4
years)
 The scholarship may be….
 Merit based
 Need based
 Or a combination of the two

3. Application Process
 Scholarships opportunities are available throughout a
student’s college career….whether you are an incoming
freshman or a continuing student.
 College and Departmental Scholarships
 ECU Alumni Association Scholarships
 Division of Student Affairs Scholarships
 Annual competitive application process is held each year –
typically in the December – February timeframe. However,
there are a variety of deadlines so make sure to learn the
requirements and deadlines.

4. Application Process
 There are a number of different application processes. Each college on our
campus has flexibility in how it operates its scholarship process:
 Some areas will have paper applications
 Some areas will have on-line applications
 Some areas will list their offerings on the scholarship
management system @ https://ecu.academicworks.com
 Make sure you check all avenues and know how to apply –
when in doubt – ASK!

5. Office of University Scholarships
Melonie Bryan – Director
101 Whichard Building
Phone: 252-328-5816
Fax: 252-737-4816
bryanm@ecu.edu
or
scholarships@ecu.edu

6. East Carolina University
Pirates Aboard!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – FALL 2017

7. How Do I Apply For Financial Aid
Students desiring to receive financial assistance need to complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid each year.
You can complete the FAFSA as early as October 1st prior to the academic year that
begins in August.
Priority filing date is March 1st each year. However, we do not have a deadline for
applications.
Applications received after the priority deadline may not be completed in time
before the payment deadline.
You may complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov and the ECU school code is
002923-00

8. Things to Remember
Read emails regularly -
Respond promptly to requests for information – Financial Aid is a PROCESS
Banner ID – KNOW IT – Include it on all documents
Buckley – Student must complete this to give us permission for
Parent/Guardian/Other to get specific student financial information
Students must authorize Financial Aid to pay for expenses other than Direct
Costs, this release must be completed in order for Federal aid to cover other
charges on the Cashier’s student account (health service fees, parking fines,
etc…)
This is called a Title IV Authorization Form and the student will receive
information from the University Cashier on how to complete this process

9. Why Am I Being Asked for Additional Information
As required by federal regulation, each year a number of financial aid applications are selected at
random for detailed review. If you are applying for financial aid through federal programs, you may
be selected for an in-depth review of your application.
Applicants who are selected will be notified by email and may be required to submit additional
documentation to confirm/correct selected information (e.g. family size, number of family members
enrolled in postsecondary education, adjusted gross income) which may affect the aid award.
Weekly email reminders are sent to students who have outstanding requirements.
Failure to provide the required information will result in the all aid processing being held and
possibly all aid being cancelled for the academic year.
It can take 4 -6 weeks from receipt of the verification documents for them to be reviewed,
processed and completed.
*Please make sure to submit requested information in time to meet payment deadlines*

10. How Do Outside Scholarships Affect My Award
If you receive additional scholarships/grants from outside sources, please complete
the Additional Aid form located on the Financial Aid forms page and submit to the
Office
The scholarships you receive from sources other than East Carolina University will
be added to your student account and may reduce the monies we offered, but only
if these additional funds create an over award situation (either over financial need
or cost of attendance)
Loans are reduced before grants/scholarships if possible
Students will receive a revised award notice via ECU email any time changes are
made to the aid award

11. How Do I Find Out What I Have Been Awarded
The Office of Student Financial Aid will send out Award Notifications ONLY to the
ECU email address when there are new awards or any changes are made to the
award package.
Students may also log into Pirate Port Banner Self Service and Select Financial Aid
to view/accept the award(s) at any time.
The amount of aid the student accepts is for the full academic year, please keep
that in mind when accepting student loans.
Financial Aid awards are completed for the full academic year. Students will receive
their funds in 2 disbursements, once at the beginning of each term.
Funds are transferred to the Office of the Cashier approximately 3 business days
before the first day of class.

12. Am I Required to Accept Loans
No student is required to accept a student loan.
Students may accept all or some portion of the loan as needed based on
other financial resources available to the student.
Students who find they need more than the maximum Stafford Loan
amount for the year may apply for the Plus loan for a dependent student,
or an alternative loan. Information about these types of loan can be
located on our web page at www.ecu.edu/financial
Monitor your loan debt at www.nlsds.ed.gov – create a student account.

13. How to Complete the Student Loan Process
Students who have accepted a Federal Stafford Loan will be required to complete a
Master Promissory Note the first time they borrow from this program.
First time loan borrowers must also complete Federal Student Loan Entrance
Counseling.
The student may do both at www.studentloans.gov
Students will receive emails from Financial Aid with instructions on how to complete
these processes
*This must be completed prior to loan funds being posted to student accounts – it
can take 7 – 10 business days for us to receive confirmation from the US
Department of Education that these processes are complete. Please make sure to
allow adequate time to meet payment deadlines

14. Parent or Alternative Loan Borrowing
 If you have a ‘gap’ between the aid offered to your student and the costs above
you may:
 a) decide to use the Tuition Payment Plan via the Office of the Cashier;
 b) decide to borrow a parent loan, the PLUS;
 c) decide that the student will borrow a private loan and the parents will co-sign
that loan;
 d) some combination of these three.
 The Parent and/or Alternative Loan Process takes a MINIMUM of 30 days to
complete. Please begin the process in time to meet payment deadlines.

15. I Need To Change The Loan Amount I Accepted
If you originally decline or only accept a portion of your loan, accept more loan that you
determine is needed and decide that you would like to make a change - you must contact the
Office of Student Financial Aid at faques@ecu.edu .
In the email subject line put your Name and “Loan Adjustment”
Please include your Banner ID in the body of the email.
Tell us what you would like to do:
State the loan and the amount of loan you would like to receive for the year;
If you are not certain of the amount, you may ask us to reoffer the loans in full so you
may accept the amount you need.
All requests for adjustments in student loan amounts MUST come from the student’s ECU
official email address

16. Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study (FWS) is an employment program for students with a
demonstrated financial need and who are qualified by the ECU Financial Aid
office.
• Work on-campus with ECU departments or off-campus with approved
community service agencies
• Undergraduates earn $8-$10/hour based on experience
• Student employees are paid twice a month through direct deposit.
*Credit is not received for FWS funds until hours are worked.*
• Students who do not qualify for FWS or did not receive an FWS award,
there are other employment opportunities available through the Office
of Student Employment
• Search part-time job opportunities (on and off campus) via our online
jobs database at www.ecu.edu/hireapirate.

17. How And When Will I Receive The Funds I Have Accepted
Financial aid monies are released at the start of each semester. Your financial aid
funds are sent first to the student account in the Office of the Cashier to pay your
tuition/fees, any other charges on your student account.
After all your University charges are paid for the term, any remaining funds will be
sent from the Office of the Cashier through the E-Refund process
If you have not set up your E-Refund preference you may do so by going to the
Cashier’s web page and following the steps for this process. We strongly encourage
you to do this as soon as possible to avoid delays at the beginning of the semester.
Please note that refunds are based on charges posted to the student account at the
time the refund process begins.

18. Important Dates
Fall bills will be generated by the Office of Cashier on July 10th. Students will
receive the e-bill via the ECU email account.
Thursday, August 3rd – The Office of the Cashier will cancel all schedules for
non-payment after 5:00 p.m. this day
Note: The on-line payment system will not be available between 5:00 p.m. and
12:00 a.m.
Beginning Friday, August 4th – A $25.00 processing fee will be charged to all
student accounts who re-register after being purged or who late register for
the first time
It is imperative that all Financial Aid paperwork be completed a minimum of 4
weeks prior to this date to ensure that the award package will be complete and
funds available before the schedule cancellation date

19. How to Finish in Four Years
 Many Financial Aid programs have limitations on the number of semesters
your may receive funding.
 Students need to take 15/16 hours a semester to graduate in 4 years
 Work closely with your advisor to make sure you are meeting your goal to
graduation

20. SALTMONEY.ORG – Take Control of Your Finances

21. Why Use Salt?
 Student loan advice from expert counselors
 Scholarship, internship and job searches
 Tools to take care of your finances
 Tips on building smart financial aid
 And it is FREE… you can use this program from the time you enroll until
you are a graduate and alum!
 Saltmoney.org what are you waiting for?
 Students will have a chance to sign up in the Computer Lab later today!

22. Contact Information
ECU Office of Student Financial Aid
2103 Old Cafeteria Complex, MS 510
Greenville, NC 27858
FAX – 252-328-4347
PHONE – 252-328-6610
EMAIL – faques@ecu.edu
Walk in hours – Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Phone hours – Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00pm