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
The determination of refund dates is dependent upon the submission of all necessary documentation and the completion of the financial aid file. Additionally, these dates may vary based on processing times. It is important to understand that these dates are not fixed and may be subject to modifications. Consequently, it is recommended to remain informed regarding any potential changes to file requirements and timelines.
Fall Semester 2026
| Refund Date | File Completion Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| September 21, 2026 | August 28, 2026 |
| October 19, 2026 | September 30, 2026 |
| November 3, 2026 | October 16, 2026 |
| November 17, 2026 | October 26, 2026 |
| November 27, 2026 | November 6, 2026 |
Spring Semester 2027
| Refund Date | File Completion Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| February 25, 2027 | February 2, 2027 |
| March 12, 2027 | February 23, 2027 |
| April 12, 2027 | March 27, 2027 |
| April 27, 2027 | April 7, 2027 |
| May 12, 2027 | April 28, 2027 |
Summer Term 2027
| Refund Date | File Completion Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| June 15, 2027 | May 27, 2027 |
| July 27, 2027 | July 8, 2027 |
| August 2, 2027 | July 20, 2027 |
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.