The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) provides four tier designations for which residential and online families may qualify: Access to All Benefits with a stipend, Access to All Benefits without a stipend, Reduced Benefits, or Waived Benefits Only.  Tier levels are assigned based on the supporting documentation provided by the family.  Please note that approval to move forward for consideration is only preliminary.  Final status designations will be made pending the receipt and final documentation review confirming student eligibility.  The following items are deemed acceptable documentation for verification of tier designation:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Work First (TANF) Program; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program); or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). These documents must be accompanied by a certification notice or letter indicating the certification dates.  If awarded this tier, students will receive approval for all resources available, including a monthly stipend.
• Families which do not receive assistance through any of the above service designations must provide documents that show the amount and source of household income(s) for all adult family members. These include paycheck/wage statement for the past three months or a letter from the employer that shows gross income for the past three months; Social Security, retirement, or pension award notice or letter; unemployment benefit notice, disability, or workers compensation; or, child support or alimony court decree or agreement. If awarded this tier, students will receive approval for all resources except the monthly stipend.
  • The above documents should be presented for all members of the household receiving income or benefits. 
• Families who participate in the North Carolina Medicaid program will need to provide a copy of the student’s card to our office.  If awarded this tier, students will receive approval for waivers for taking standardized tests and some college application fees.
• If your household has no benefits or income, you must provide a brief statement explaining how provisions of food, clothing, and housing are secured for the household. The statement of explanation must also include an indication of the expected time frame of renewed household income source.

The requested documents must be received before final approval can be granted. We request that families allow 7-10 business days to receive a determination. Please send copies and not originals to NCSSM at your earliest convenience to:

NCSSM-Durham Attn: Financial Assistance Office 1219 Broad Street Durham, NC 27705

NCSSM-Morganton Attn: Financial Assistance Office 901 Burkemont Avenue Morganton, NC 28655

Or by fax to (919) 416-2853.

Failure to provide appropriate documentation will delay the review for eligibility determination.

NOTE: Direct payments to the student could result in the issuance of a Form 1099-MISC. Other assistance received may or may not be taxable income. Families are advised to consult their accountant or tax preparer for guidance regarding what qualifies for reporting as taxable income. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply?

• Families who have a child who is enrolled in the residential or online program at NCSSM. Summer Ventures students are ineligible to apply.

How do I apply?

• Families may access the Financial Assistance form by logging into their Blackbaud account. All applicable fields must be completed entirely.

Can I submit my Internal Revenue Tax documents?

• No, only the forms listed above are acceptable to determine eligibility for the program.

Do you accept handwritten wage statements or documents?

• All documents must be official from the employer on the company or organization letterhead.

What is the preferred method to submit documents for determination?

• NCSSM puts the security of our families as a top priority. Unfortunately, the full security of emails cannot be ensured as, despite our efforts, the data included in emails could be infected, intercepted, or corrupted. Therefore, we encourage families to check their email for threats with proper software, as we do not accept liability for any damage inflicted by viewing the content of emails. Therefore, families are encouraged to submit documents via U.S. Postal Service. Please note that you do not have to provide documents to both campuses, only one.

NCSSM-Durham Attn: Financial Assistance Office 1219 Broad Street Durham, NC 27705

NCSSM-Morganton Attn: Financial Assistance Office 901 Burkemont Avenue Morganton, NC 28655

Or by fax to (919) 416-2853.

Is there a deadline to apply for the program?

• Yes, the deadline for enrolled students is September 10th of each year. We recognize that family circumstances can change over time, and should this occur, you may reapply for consideration of financial assistance at any time during the school year by contacting the Office of Admissions, financial.assistance@ncssm.edu. 

Do I have to re-apply for the program between my junior and senior years?

• Yes, families have to submit documents each year for consideration for the program.

How will I know if I am accepted into the program?

• Families who submit the proper paperwork for consideration are notified via email within 7-10 business days.

If accepted, what will the program cover? 

• Depending on the family’s tier status and which program (Residential or Online) the student is participating in, students may be eligible to receive some combination of the following: fee waivers for PSAT, SAT, ACT, college applications (4), 1-prom ticket, 1-yearbook, stipends, waived security deposit, loaner computer, jetpacks, web cameras, and calculators, hygiene essentials, Summer Recovery Program, and/or assistance with academic competitions and conferences cost.​ The Financial Assistance Program does not cover the cost for J-Term.

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