116-209.19A. Limit semesters eligible for need-based grants and scholarships.

The Authority administers the following need-based grant and scholarship programs: the Education Lottery Scholarships, North Carolina Community College Grant Program, The University of North Carolina Need-Based Financial Aid Program, and Need-Based Scholarships for Students Attending Private Institutions of Higher Education. G.S. 115C-499.2A, 115D-40.2, 116-25.1, and 116-281.1 limit the number of semesters that a student may receive a grant or scholarship from any of those 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. 115C-499.2A, 115D-40.2, 116-25.1, or 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.