Receive Your Financial Aid

Paying for Classes

If you have enough financial aid to cover your full balance for the semester, you do not need to make payment arrangements. Carteret CC will use your financial aid to pay your balance and issue a refund within 6-8 weeks from the beginning of the semester. Keep in mind that your financial aid award is subject to change based on your enrollment (i.e. course selection, number of classes, etc.) and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status.

You DO NEED to pay for your classes if:

• You are still awaiting a financial aid offer.
• You do not have enough financial aid to cover your full balance with Carteret CC.

If you find yourself in any of the situations above, you must make payment arrangements on or before the payment due date.

Please note: If you are also receiving Post 9/11 veterans’ benefits and have submitted a Certificate of eligibility, this will be used to pay your tuition and fees.  Students using all other VA Chapters must either have a financial aid award, payment plan or pay out-of-pocket.

How You Get Your Refund

If financial aid funds remain in your account after paying tuition, fees, and buying books and supplies, that balance will be refunded to you. However, some types of aid may not qualify for a refund. Class attendance impacts eligibility for refunds. Failure to remain enrolled and attend classes as required may result in repayment of your awarded financial aid.

NOTE: You are responsible for repaying aid that was not earned.

Carteret CC provides the option of refunds through direct deposit, powered by the ACH network. Students who wish to receive their financial aid refund via direct deposit must set up their bank account information within Carteret Compass. If you do not enroll for direct deposit, you will still receive a paper check, though this option may take longer.

Refunds will be disbursed according to the following schedule, although dates are subject to change without notice:

Fall 2025 Disbursement Dates

• September 17
• October 15
• November 12
• December 10

Spring 2026 Disbursement Dates

• February 18, 2026
• March 18, 2026
• April 15, 2026
• May 6, 2026

How Much You Receive

Federal Pell Grant and NC Next Scholarship funds are always offered on a full-time basis (12+ credit hours). Awards are prorated for students who register less than full-time. Aid is transmitted to the Business Office ONLY for classes that the student is currently ATTENDING. If you have a “LATE START” (classes that start in September, October, or November), your aid may be prorated until those classes start.

Federal Pell grants and NC Next Scholarship funds may be increased, reduced, or canceled based on your enrollment.

Common reasons students do not receive their full financial aid award:

• You have incomplete items on your Carteret Compass Financial Aid checklist.
• You have a student hold with Carteret CC.
• You are not enrolled full time.
• You are not following your declared Carteret CC program of study (or major).
• Your classes have not all started.
• You have taken too many Developmental or ESOL courses.
• You are enrolled in an ineligible or partially eligible program.

Important Dates & Deadlines