Understanding North Carolina Wesleyan University Tuition, Costs, and Financial Aid
North Carolina Wesleyan College, a private, four-year coeducational liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church and located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, offers various degree programs in the arts, sciences, and selected professional disciplines. Founded in 1956, the college provides a learning environment for students seeking higher education. Understanding the costs associated with attending NCWU and the available financial aid options is crucial for prospective students and their families.
Cost of Attendance: The Sticker Price
The "Cost of Attendance" represents the total amount of money the average student has to pay to attend NCWU for one academic year before any financial aid is applied. Think of it as the sticker price. This figure includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. For North Carolina Wesleyan University, the tuition is $37,856, which is cheaper than the national average cost of tuition of $46,950. The total cost, including all the aforementioned expenses, amounts to $52,184. Statements regarding expenses are not to be considered a contract between the student and the University. The costs of tuition and fees are applicable to the Adult Studies Program students during this academic year.
Tuition and Fees
North Carolina Wesleyan University's tuition is $37,856, which is cheaper than the national average cost of tuition of $46,950. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers. The costs of tuition and other services outlined below are those in effect on the date of publication of this catalog.
Room and Board
Resident students have access to meals during the academic year. Traditional full-time students residing on campus are required to purchase the on-campus student meal plan. It is mandatory that all new students purchase the Unlimited Meal Plan at the cost of $6,758 per academic year. All full-time commuting students may purchase one of the three commuter meal plan options.
Other Expenses
Beyond tuition, fees, and room and board, students should also budget for books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. At North Carolina Wesleyan University, the cost of books will be rolled into tuition for Traditional Undergraduate Full-time Day students.
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Financial Aid: Making College Affordable
Financial aid is crucial for many students to afford college. It can come in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA. North Carolina Wesleyan University offers various financial aid options to help students bridge the gap between the cost of attendance and their ability to pay.
Grants and Scholarships: Gift Aid
Grants and scholarships are forms of financial aid that do not need to be repaid, making them highly desirable. They can be need-based, merit-based, or awarded based on other criteria such as community service, unique talents, or affiliations.
In Fall 2023, 67% of first-year students received need-based financial aid at North Carolina Wesleyan University. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students was $34,096. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $30,600.
Types of need-based scholarships/grants available:
- Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account.
- Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement.
- You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation.
Student Loans: Borrowing for Education
Student loans are another form of financial aid, but they must be repaid with interest. It's important to minimize student debt as much as possible.
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At North Carolina Wesleyan University, 71% of all students take out federal loans, with the average annual federal loan amount being $7258. Additionally, 3% of students take out private loans, with the average private loan amount being $8405. The median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $25,000. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $265. Additionally, 1% of graduating students at North Carolina Wesleyan University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $54,627 in private loan debt at graduation. Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class is $37,404. 88% Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024).
Work-Study and Campus Jobs
Working while in school can help lessen the burden of student loans. North Carolina Wesleyan University offers work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job.
Employer Reimbursement Plan (ERP)
Adult students whose employers reimburse part or all of their tuition costs are eligible for the Employer Reimbursement Plan (ERP). Students must provide a verification of employment, a copy of employer ERP policy which outlines limitations of their ERP plan and sign an agreement with North Carolina Wesleyan University verifying that they understand their employer reimbursement plan and its commitments each semester. A minimum $50 deposit per course will be required at registration, which is applied to the total tuition due for the course. If an employer pays 100 percent of tuition by check payable to North Carolina Wesleyan University in advance of the session, the tuition deposit is waived. (The student is responsible for providing all information to the employer for reimbursement.) Any non-reimbursable portion of tuition must also be paid at registration. North Carolina Wesleyan University is willing to establish a direct billing program with employers who offer tuition benefits.
Payment Options
Tuition may be paid by cash, check and/or money order at the Business Office located on the Rocky Mount campus. Credit card payments are accepted online using CASHNet. The credit cards accepted are Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Payments are not accepted at any Adult campus. There is a $35 charge for checks/ACH returned to the university. The University offers a payment plan each semester to help make paying for college more affordable. The payment plan is set up based on your cost of attendance minus financial aid awards. There is a $20 payment plan fee that will be charged to set up the payment plan each semester. We offer a 5-month payment plan for the Fall and Spring semesters. The Summer I and Summer II semesters have a 2-month payment plan.
Veterans’ Benefits
Veterans’ Benefits may be used to meet the tuition costs. A student who completes and submits the proper paperwork to drop a course within the first seven (7) days from the start date of the term will receive a 100 percent refund of paid tuition or will not be liable for the balance of tuition deferred under the Employer Reimbursement Plan (ERP). North Carolina Wesleyan University’s programs are approved for educational benefits for veterans, participants, military and other eligible students. Appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs regulations as well as University policies apply regarding class attendance, conduct and rate of progress. Benefits are payable only for those courses which are required to complete a degree. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis, except ENG 090, are not payable. Students receiving veterans’ educational benefits who are on academic probation and/or financial aid suspension will be allowed no more than two consecutive semesters to regain good academic standing. Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded. To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, North Carolina Wesleyan University will return any unearned TA funds on a prorate basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. These funds are returned to the military service branch. Instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the educational institution will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.
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Net Price: What You'll Actually Pay
The Net Price is the total cost of attending NCWU minus any grants and scholarships you receive. This is the amount you will pay out of pocket. North Carolina Wesleyan University met 77% of its students’ financial aid need. The Average Net Price is $19,111 per year. Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.
Net Price Calculator
Most schools have an updated Net Price calculator available. Once you have a Net Price estimate, you’ll want to figure out whether your family can afford to pay North Carolina Wesleyan University tuition and costs.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The US government has come up with a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help. This is called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give you, but it's just a guideline. If the Net Price is higher than the EFC, the school will cost more than you can typically afford.
Student Loan Debt: Managing Your Financial Future
How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate. A good rule of thumb is to keep total debt less than your child's expected annual income. That way they should be able to afford to repay their loans in 10 years or less.
Debt vs. Income
You'll also want to compare your child's monthly payments to their monthly income. Anything less than 10% is considered affordable, 15% is a stretch, and anything over 20% is not recommended.
Refund Policy Due to Change in Enrollment
Students withdrawing from the University are required to complete the University’s withdrawal process.
- Before the first class meeting: 100% of tuition, room, meal and fees will be credited back to the account and all financial aid will be removed. The orientation fee and processing fee is non-refundable. Any payments made against the account (excluding advance deposits ) will be refunded to the student in the form of a check within three weeks of the start of school or when the University is notified of non-attendance.
- During the first week (Drop/Add period): The University will calculate the total number of days the student attended (was enrolled) divided by the number of calendar days of the payment period (semester). This percentage will be used to determine charges for tuition, room, meal and other fees (excluding the orientation and processing fee). The health insurance will be removed at 100%.
- The Second & Third Week: The University will calculate the total number of Days the student attended (was enrolled) divided by the number of calendar days of the payment period (semester).
- After the Third Week: no reduction in institutional charges; however, the University must continue to return Title IV funds as required up to 60% of the payment period. Department of Education is available in the Business Office.
A student who changes enrollment status by dropping courses (not including complete withdrawals), will have adjustments made to tuition following the schedule below. No adjustments to tuition will be made for dropped courses after the census date. Students who move into a residence hall and/or use meals on a meal plan that fail to enroll for that current semester for any reason or is considered a Never Attend for that semester will be charged a pro-rated amount for the residence hall and the meal plan. Please note a Never Attend is a student that enrolls for classes and is administratively withdrawn due to non-attendance in all classes and does not participate in any academic related activity. This status is determined by the Registrar’s Office and must meet specific criteria. In this situation, The University will calculate the total number of Days the student lived in the residence hall and divide by the number of calendar days of the semester. This percentage will be used to determine the prorated amount charged for the residence hall and meal plan.
Indebtness
Any student who has a financial indebtness (including undergraduate and graduate programs combined) to North Carolina Wesleyan University may not be permitted to register for classes. The University may suspend all services and will withold diplomas, transcripts and all references until payment is received in full.
Traditional University Deposit
Once an applicant for admission to North Carolina Wesleyan University has been accepted, a university deposit of $200 is required for new students (The deposit for John and Charles Wesley Heritage Scholarship recipients is $300). The deposit amount for students approved for readmission is $50 for domestic students and for $1000 for international students. The deposit serves as a pre-payment towards the student’s bill. The university deposit is refundable until May 1.
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