The NC General Assembly passed the 2009-11 biennial budget earlier this week and Governor Perdue has signed the budget.   It is now state law.

While the General Assembly was able to fund most of the aid programs at levels similar to last year or greater, the EARN program, which is mostly funded from the Escheat Fund, was found to be unsustainable.  As a result, EARN recipients (new and renewal) will receive $2,000 for the 2009 fall semester only and the program is repealed for future years. 

We regret the suspension of a major aid program so close to the start of the academic year and take some relief in that the General Assembly was able to fund the fall semester.   Your financial aid award will be adjusted to reflect that there is no EARN funding for the 2010 spring semester.

The Office of Student Financial Aid is diligently working to revise each EARN recipients’ financial aid award package.  Each EARN recipient will receive a revised financial aid award letter that will clearly identify the changes for the fall semester and the spring semester.

Questions concerning this issue should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Aid.