Financial Aid

Scholarships

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Scholarship Opportunities

The ECSU Foundation manages a number of endowed scholarships which have unique eligibility requirements based on donor agreements. The good news is for most awards, no additional application is required to be considered for a Foundation scholarship. All students who submit a FAFSA will be considered based on the eligibility criteria for each endowed scholarship.
 
Foundation scholarships are awarded based on major of study, state of residency, interest in a specific subject area like math or science, or exceptional talent and academic performance.
 
Need-based scholarships and grants are awarded based upon a student's financial need. Some scholarships are awarded based on both merit and financial need.
 

Foundation Scholarships (funded by the ECSU Foundation) have unique eligibility requirements based on donor agreements.  Please apply to these scholarships using the following the link below. Please be aware that you will need to submit a FAFSA to be considered for some of these scholarships based on the eligibility criteria.

 Foundation scholarships are awarded based on major of study, state of residency, interest in a specific subject area like math or science, or exceptional talent and academic performance.

Notification Dates: June 15 and every week after until funds are depleted

Need-based scholarships and grants are awarded based upon a student's financial need. Some scholarships are awarded based on both merit and financial need.

Purpose
The Chancellor’s Academic Scholarship was established as a merit scholarship program for incoming freshmen at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) to provide an outstanding educational experience for five students who are exceptional scholars, versatile and well-rounded individuals. Scholarship recipients will represent the core values of the institution through their commitment to excellence, accountability, broad representation and the ECSU motto: “To live is to learn.”

Benefits
Each recipient will be awarded a fully funded four-year scholarship that covers the cost of the following: full tuition, student fees, university housing, meals, and textbooks.
 
Expectations of Recipients
Scholarships will be renewable contingent upon the following:
  • Maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA annually
  • Enroll full time each semester and earn a minimum 30 credit hours each academic year
  • Maintain membership and active participation in the ECSU Honors Program
  • Maintain membership and active participation in the Chancellor Ambassor Program

 

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

 Strong candidates are intellectually curious and able to articulate their ideas clearly. In evaluating candidates, the selection committee reviews the applicants’ responses to the application questions along with the entire application for freshman admission. To be eligible for the Chancellor’s Academic Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Be a competitive applicant for admission as a freshman in the fall semester into a baccalaureate program at ECSU
  • Be on course to graduate from high school in the spring semester prior to college admission
  • Be a United States citizen or permanent resident
  • Have a minimum 3.5 or higher unweighted cumulative GPA
  • Show exceptional qualities of character and leadership
  • Demonstrate a commitment to academics, service and be involved in extracurricular activities
  • Enroll as a full-time student
  • Submit a letter of recommendation supporting your application for this scholarship from a teacher, religious leader or supervisor to chancellors.scholarship@ecsu.edu

Submission Deadline: January 1st, 2025 

Note: This scholarship is only available to first-time, incoming freshmen.

Aid Limitations

The total financial aid package – to include all types of aid received – must remain within the cost of attendance or financial aid budget as determined by Student Financial Aid. It is therefore important that you notify the Student Financial Aid Office of any scholarship, assistance, or loan funding that does not appear as part of an aid package. By doing so early, students reduce the risk of having aid adjusted mid-year or after funds have been received.

Undergraduate students receiving multiple or large scholarship offers from ECSU should also be aware that, in rare cases, their scholarship awards may be limited. Work closely with awarding offices to understand your scholarship package and terms of individual awards.

Apply for the Chancellor's Academic Scholarships

The 2002 North Carolina Legislature created the UNC Campus Scholarships, which became effective July 1, 2003, by consolidating the former Elizabeth City State University Incentive Program, Incentive Grants for Certain Constituent Institutions, Incentive Scholarship Program for Native Americans, the Minority Presence Grant, Freshman Scholars Programs and Legislative College Opportunity Program.  These guidelines are intended to govern the award and offers of undergraduate scholarships under the UNC Campus Scholarship Program at Elizabeth City State University pursuant to Session Law 2002-126, Section 9.4. The State Education Assistance Authority administers the UNC Campus Scholarships. View the entire Guideline for the UNC Campus Scholarship Program. 
 

Eligibility Requirements

FRESHMEN:

Entrance Eligibility. To be eligible for ECSU’s UNC Campus Scholarships, as an entering freshman, a student must meet the following minimum requirements:

  •  Be a North Carolina resident;
  • Be a graduate of a North Carolina high school who graduated with a cumulative weighted GPA of 2.5 or higher;
  • Meet admissibility criteria to the University under University and UNC System rules;
  • Apply for federal aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) by the required date and demonstrate financial need as defined by the U.S. Department of Education;
  • Currently be enrolled in an ECSU degree program;
  • Agree to participate in ECSU’s academic improvement effort, the First Year Experience, which includes an assessment of the student’s general education background and readiness for upper division work;
  • Exhibit high moral and ethical standards in personal and scholastic behavior as set forth by ECSU’s Student Handbook, Catalogue and Student Code of Conduct.
 Value of Scholarship
  • UNC Campus Scholarships have a maximum value of $3,000 per recipient per academic year and will be used after all need-based funds, from other sources, for which a student is also eligible have been included in the student’s financial aid package;
  • The total award under the program shall carry up to a maximum value equal to the amount specified in the institution’s grant equity policy for in-state students;

 

Continuing Eligibility
  • Continuing eligibility for a student awarded a UNC Campus Scholarship, as an entering freshman, requires maintenance of an academic year grade point average or a cumulative grade point average on the following scale:
 

End of Freshman Year, Sophomore Year, Junior Year, and Senior Year:

  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution and be enrolled full-time
 

TRANSFER STUDENTS:

Entrance Eligibility. To be eligible for ECSU’s UNC Campus Scholarships, as an entering transfer student, a student must meet the following minimum requirements:
 
  • Be a North Carolina resident;
  • Apply for federal aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the required date and demonstrate financial need as defined by the U.S. Department of Education;
  • Currently be enrolled in an ECSU degree program;
  • Exhibit high moral and ethical standards in personal and scholastic behavior as set forth by ECSU’s Student Handbook, Catalogue and Student Code of Conduct.
  Value of Scholarship
  • UNC Campus Scholarships have a maximum value of $3,000 per recipient per academic year and will be used after all need-based funds, from other sources, for which a student is also eligible have been included in the student’s financial aid package;
  • The total award under the program shall carry up to a maximum value equal to the amount specified in the institution’s grant equity policy for in-state students
 
Continuing Eligibility
  • Continuing eligibility for a student awarded a UNC Campus Scholarship, as a transfer student, requires maintenance of an academic year grade point average or a cumulative grade point average on the following scale:
End of Junior Year and End of Senior Year:
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution and be enrolled full-time;
 
REINSTATEMENT FOR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ELIGIBILITY STATUS
  1. The Director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will provide written notice to any recipient of a UNC Campus Scholarship who fails to maintain eligibility status under the
  2. Upon receipt of notice as set forth in SECTION D.1, a student may seek reinstatement of a UNC Campus Scholarship award by submitting a written request for reinstatement to the Director of Student Financial Aid and
  3. If the student meets academic progress, credit hour progress and other requirements and UNC Campus Scholarship funds are available at the time reinstatement is requested, a student may be reinstated by the Director of Student Financial Aid and The Director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships will provide a written decision on whether or not reinstatement will be granted which shall be a final decision.
  4. A student can only be granted one reinstatement under the UNC Campus Scholarship Program.
There are many scholarship opportunities available beyond the university. As our office becomes aware of outside scholarships we will post them here so be sure to check back regularly. When searching for scholarships we highly recommend beginning with organizations you may be involved in such as Rotary Clubs, Women’s Clubs, religious organizations, and/or employer benefits (parent and/or student).
 
When searching for outside scholarships please pay close attention to the various application deadlines. Be on the lookout for scams -- you should never pay a fee to apply for a scholarship. Please make sure to have your resume, academic transcripts and recommendation letters readily available. Also, be prepared to write essays that demonstrate your personality as well as your writing skills.
 
If you receive an outside scholarship please be sure to advise our office immediately. Scholarship notices must be submitted on official letterhead from the donating organization. Checks may be mailed to:

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
The Welcome Center
1704 Weeksville Rd. Campus Box 914
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
 
Types of Aid