Eligibility

Students accepted for admission to the College may apply for federal financial assistance, including scholarships, work-study employment, grants, and loans. Curriculum students approved to receive federal financial assistance must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Demonstrate financial need;
  • Be admitted to an eligible program;
  • Have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma;
  • Provide a valid Social Security number;
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
  • Be registered with the Selective Service, if required;
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan borrowed for attendance at any institution;
  • Not have borrowed in excess of federal student loan limits;
  • Not owe a repayment on a federal student grant or loan received for attendance at any institution;
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress; and
  • Certify that the funds will be used for educational purposes only.

Students interested in applying for financial aid should complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and include the Durham Tech school code (005448). Applications or renewal applications for financial aid must be submitted for each academic year. The FAFSA form is available for the upcoming academic year after October 1. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible for the next academic year, preferably no later than April 15.

Additional information about enrollment due dates, the verification process, financial aid disbursement dates, academic progress standards, return of Title IV funds, and financial aid forms can be found in the Financial Aid section of the website.

Scholarships

Curriculum students apply for scholarships in the spring for use in the following academic year. Students are considered for all scholarships for which they qualify. The criteria for eligibility and the amount of the award are different for each scholarship. A listing of scholarships and their selection criteria can be found in the scholarships section of the website.

Other Forms of Financial Assistance

Durham Tech Promise funds are designated for recent high school graduates in Durham County, recent graduates of Orange High School, East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill High School, Cedar Ridge High School, Carrboro High School, Partnership Academy, Phoenix Academy, or recent high school equivalency completers within Durham and Orange counties. Students who enroll in at least six credit hours per term within the academic year immediately after high school may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 per year for two years. Students do not need to apply. The Financial Aid office will review student records and contact those who qualify. Recent high school graduates who pay out-of-state tuition may also be eligible and should contact their Financial Aid Advisor for more information regarding eligibility for Durham Tech Promise and other sources of aid.

Veterans Information

Financial Aid and Veterans Services assists students who are eligible for Veterans educational benefits, including Veterans, active-duty personnel, and members of selected reserves and the National Guard.

To be eligible for educational benefits, students must be admitted to a curriculum program and have high school and college transcripts on file at Durham Tech.

Before paying tuition and fees each semester, students must first have their class schedules approved by their academic advisors and then by staff in the Veterans Services office. Students are required to notify the VA School Certifying Official (SCO) via email when registration is complete.

Students “visiting” from their home college who may be eligible for Veterans benefits must contact Financial Aid and Veterans Services to provide appropriate documentation.

Information about work-study, standards of academic progress, attendance, and conduct for students receiving Veterans educational benefits can be found on the Veterans Services webpage. 

The Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018  

Consistent with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, Section 3679 of Title 38, United States Code, Section 103, Durham Technical Community College shall not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees or the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or require a covered individual to borrow additional funds in order to meet financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under Chapter 31 or 33.

A covered individual (entitled to education assistance under Chapter 31: Vocation Rehabilitation and Employment or Chapter 33: Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits), shall be permitted to attend or participate in the approved course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the College a Certificate of Eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33 (a “Certificate of Eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ website – eBenefits, or a VA Form 28-1905 for Chapter 31) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

  • The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution; or
  • Ninety (90) days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility.

Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership

The Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding between Durham Technical Community College and the Department of Defense Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness articulates the commitment and agreement the College provides to the Department of Defense by accepting funds via each Military Service’s Tuition Assistance program in exchange for education services. To ensure compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding, Durham Technical Community College adheres to Department of Defense Voluntary Education program guidelines related to recruiting, marketing, and advertising; financial matters; accreditation and credentialing; and academic counseling and post-graduation employment opportunities.

View the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership policy and procedure.