§ 116‑209.19A.  Limit semesters eligible for need‑based grants and scholarships.
The Authority administers the following need‑based grant and scholarship programs: the North Carolina Need‑Based Scholarship for Public Colleges and Universities and Need‑Based Scholarships for Students Attending Private Institutions of Higher Education. G.S. 116‑209.82 and G.S. 116‑281.1 limit the number of semesters that a student may receive a grant or scholarship from these programs and also provide the circumstances in which a waiver to those limits may be granted by the appropriate postsecondary institution. The Authority shall enforce these limitations in administering these programs so that unless a waiver is granted by the appropriate postsecondary institution, no student shall receive a grant or scholarship from any of those programs or any combination of those financial aid programs while pursuing a degree, diploma, or certificate for more than any of the following time periods: (i) 10 full‑time academic semesters or its equivalent if enrolled part‑time or (ii) 12 full‑time academic semesters or its equivalent if the student is enrolled in a program officially designated as a five‑year degree program.
A postsecondary institution that grants a waiver under G.S. 116‑209.82 or G.S. 116‑281.1 shall certify the granting of the waiver in a manner acceptable to the Authority and shall also maintain documentation substantiating the reason for the waiver.  (2013‑360, s. 11.15(g); 2021‑180, s. 8A.2(f).)