2018-2019 Counselors Handbook A Comprehensive Guide to North Carolina's Independent Colleges & Universities NCASSIST LOAN CFNC_NCICU_Print_0618_FINAL.indd 1 6/5/18 2:06 PM Printed courtesy of College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), a free service to help plan, apply and pay for college provided by Pathways, College Foundation, Inc. and the State Education Assistance Authority. 2018-2019 Counselors Handbook Also available online: www.ncicu.org/publications 530 North Blount Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Telephone: 919-832-5817 • Web Site: www.ncicu.org 36 Private, Nonprofit Institutions including: NCICU 5 HBCUs 3 Colleges for Women By the 1 Two-Year College Comprehensive, Liberal Arts, & Numbers Research Colleges and Universities NCICU STUDENTS OVERALL DEGREES 67,389 22,560 20,515 undergraduates graduate students Degrees Awarded in 2016-2017 53.6% from NC 69% from NC NCICU campuses award: Students come from all 100 NC counties 1 in 4 Bachelor’s Degrees in NC Students from all 50 states + 1 in 3 Graduate/Professional from around the world Degrees in NC PROFESSIONAL DEGREES STUDENT FINANCIAL AID NCICU 50% of all North Carolina students at NCICU campuses award: campuses and 35% of all undergraduate of Physician students receive federal Pell Grants 92% Assistants degrees + Pell aid distributed of Law degrees $104 Million in 2016-2017 63% of Pharmacy $88.9 Million 55% degrees in North Carolina Need-Based of Medical degrees Scholarships 46% 22,464 students received of Master’s in an average of $3,674 48% Nursing degrees WHY CONSIDER INDEPENDENT UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT 2017-2018 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES? Barton College 887 Co-ed Belmont Abbey University 1,159 Co-ed When students begin their college search, they have Bennett College 409 Women’s a lot of options to consider. It is important that they Brevard College 677 Co-ed find the best fit for themselves. For many students the close-knit, nurturing atmosphere of an independent Cabarrus College of Health Sciences 460 Co-ed college or university is the environment that will Campbell University 4,384 Co-ed engage them and provide the strongest foundation for Catawba College 1,325 Co-ed their future. Chowan University 1,498 Co-ed On these campuses, they will find strong academics Davidson College 1,810 Co-ed taught by full-time professors who frequently collaborate with their students on research and papers Duke University 6,532 Co-ed for publication in professional journals. Activities Elon University 6,045 Co-ed that bring students together for fun, for worthy Gardner-Webb University 2,185 Co-ed causes and for personal growth are provided. There are opportunities to take on leadership roles and Greensboro College 825 Co-ed internships which develop the confidence and skills Guilford College 1,674 Co-ed that are essential for success in the workplace and High Point University 4,467 Co-ed in life. Because independent college and university students are not competing with thousands of other Johnson C. Smith University 1,394 Co-ed students for access to activities, a larger majority of Lees-McRae College 921 Co-ed students on campus can participate in these character- Lenoir-Rhyne University 1,699 Co-ed building programs. Livingstone College 1,150 Co-ed The undergraduate education at North Carolina’s 36 Louisburg College* 714 Co-ed independent colleges and universities is liberal arts Mars Hill University 1,263 Co-ed based, providing a broad foundation for a lifetime of opportunities. It teaches students to be critical Meredith College 1,682 Women’s thinkers­­­—a top trait sought by organizations and Methodist University 1,933 Co-ed corporations. The liberal arts foundation will also Montreat College 757 Co-ed equip students to be resilient as they face challenges in their professional and personal lives. N.C. Wesleyan College 1,100 Co-ed Pfeiffer University 813 Co-ed Today’s students and parents are concerned about the high cost of college and want to be sure they receive Queens University of Charlotte 1,719 Co-ed the best value for their investment. They may be St. Andrews University 627 Co-ed surprised to find that through the generosity of alumni, Saint Augustine’s University 974 Co-ed corporations and foundations, most institutions can provide significant amounts of scholarships and Salem College 822 Women’s financial aid to help minimize the cost. And, by Shaw University 1,546 Co-ed attending a private college or university, students are more likely to earn their degree in four years rather University of Mount Olive 3,209 Co-ed than the six-year average. Wake Forest University 5,102 Co-ed As counselors, you play an important role in a Warren Wilson College 589 Co-ed student’s college choice. We hope that this handbook William Peace University 930 Co-ed will provide you with the information that will allow 2,592 Co-ed you to recommend with confidence independent Wingate University colleges and universities as viable options to your students who would benefit most from the private college experience. * Louisburg College is a two-year college. Two-year colleges offer strong transfer programs designed to prepare students for advanced standing in a North Carolina’s 36 independent colleges and universities are four-year institution. At these colleges, students may complete their basic accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. liberal arts curriculum (similar to courses required in the first two years of They admit qualified students and administer all educational and most four-year colleges) and they may enroll in courses to prepare them for employment activities without discrimination because of race, their chosen major, should they decide to transfer to a four-year institution. color, religion, national origin, handicap, or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law. 1 • Local Scholarships: Civic clubs and professional HOW CAN A COLLEGE EDUCATION organizations award scholarships to students in BE MADE AFFORDABLE? their communities who demonstrate a commitment to the ideals of these groups. Keeping education affordable is a priority for North LOANS Carolina’s 36 independent colleges and universities. In fact, the annual tuition at our campuses remains • Federal Perkins Loans: This program, funded below the national average, and other costs, such as by the federal government, provides loans at room, board and books, are comparable to those at 5-percent interest to financially needy students. public colleges. However, many families still find Loan amounts are determined by college financial costs beyond their means. By discussing options aid officers. Interest accrual and payments on with a financial aid counselor, prospective students these loans are deferred until nine months after the will find that significant amounts of scholarships and student leaves college. financial aid are available in various forms. • Federal Stafford Student Loans/Federal Direct Student Loans: These loans are available for Regardless of where a student decides to go to students who are accepted for enrollment in college, it is important to keep in mind that the participating institutions. A student can qualify for financial aid package will be based on the estimated federally paid interest to the extent of demonstrated family contribution. The amount of federal aid need. Payments are deferred until six months eligibility and financial need changes according to the after the student leaves college. Students without estimated expenses at each college. Students should demonstrated need also may borrow money check on the available aid at each college they’re through this program; however, interest is not interested in attending. A combination of grants, subsidized by the federal government. Borrowers scholarships, loans and work opportunities may be are required to make interest payments only on a packaged to help cover the difference between what quarterly basis while in college or they may defer a family will be expected to contribute and the actual repayment of interest until after graduation. college costs. Campuses will counsel students to avoid taking out more loans than they need. North • Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students Carolina’s average student debt is several thousand (PLUS): PLUS loans are federally insured loans. dollars below the national average. It is recommended Through this program, parents may borrow to that students be proactive in seeking out the many pay the total cost of a student’s education less any sources available for financial aid. financial aid for which the student may qualify. Interest begins to accrue on the date of the loan. GRANTS Repayment begins approximately 60 days from the date of the loan. • North Carolina Need Based Scholarship • Institutional and Private Loans: Many colleges, (variable): The General Assembly will provide universities and financial institutions have loan $88.9 million for the 2018-19 academic year to funds available to students in addition to those North Carolina resident students attending a North offered by state and federal agencies. Amounts, Carolina independent college or university who interest and repayment schedules vary. demonstrate financial need. During 2017-18, more than 22,000 North Carolina students received • Payment Plans: Variable payment plans, which NCNBS grants averaging $3,674. permit families to spread out tuition payments, are available at many institutions. • Federal Pell Grants (up to $6,095): These grants are federally funded, and need is determined on the STUDENT EMPLOYMENT basis of a formula developed annually by the U.S. Department of Education and reviewed by Congress. • Federal Work-Study: These programs are • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity administered by colleges with funds appropriated Grants (SEOG) (up to $4,000): Funds provided by the federal government and the college. by the federal government enable a college’s Students with demonstrated need are given the financial aid office to award additional grants opportunity to work at approved jobs.