Award Refunds
North Carolina community colleges are required by the state to verify attendance in all classes prior to issuing financial aid refunds. Thus, award refunds are often disbursed later than four-year institutions.
Due to the attendance verification process, students typically receive refunds approximately six weeks after the start of the semester.
Students should plan accordingly for immediate financial needs during this period. Students who should receive refunds following payment of tuition, fees, and bookstore charges will have the refunds disbursed after the start of the semester.
Enroll in Direct Deposit for Award Refunds
Direct Deposit allows students to receive refunds quicker and more securely than by check through automatic deposit of funds to the student’s bank account. Follow these steps to learn how to enroll in direct deposit in Self-Service.
Disbursement Dates
Refund dates are based on when paperwork was completed. These dates are subject to change.
Fall Semester 2024
| Refund Date | File Completion Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| September 27 | September 1 |
| October 15 | October 1 |
| November 13 | October 31 |
| December 13 | November 25 |
Spring Semester 2025
| Refund Date | File Completion Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| February 21 | January 31 |
| March 14 | February 28 |
| April 18 | April 1 |
| May 12 | April 30 |
Summer Term 2025
| Refund Date | File Completion Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| June 16 | May 30 |
| July 22 | July 2 |
A file complete deadline date means all required financial aid paperwork is accurately submitted to the Financial Aid Office. If you are requesting a student loan, this includes the Loan Authorization form. We cannot guarantee your refund will be on the associated refund date if any of the required paperwork is submitted after the related deadline.
The last file completion deadline date is the final deadline for the term. Any paperwork, including the Loan Authorization form, submitted after this date may not be processed before the completion of the semester. Financial Aid will process your aid at the beginning of the next semester.
Please contact your Financial Aid advisor if you have specific questions.