Questions and Answers

1. What are the requirements to qualify for the NCSP?

In order to qualify for the NCSP you need to:
• Be a legal Utah resident.
• Graduate from a Utah High School or be home schooled in Utah.
• Earn an associate’s degree (or equivalent if coursework is completed at a school that does not offer an associate’s degree)
with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher by September 1st of the year your class graduates from high school; or complete the
math and science curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher before September 1st of the year your class graduates
from high school.

2. What type of an associate’s degree fulfills the NCSP requirements? Do I need to complete the degree at a specific institution?

In order to be eligible for the NCSP, you need to complete the requirements (or the equivalent) for an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, or other associate’s degrees such as pre-engineering, nursing, etc., at one of the following USHE institutions: College of Eastern Utah, Dixie State College of Utah, Salt Lake Community College, Southern Utah University, Snow College, University of Utah, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, or Weber State University. (Note: An Associate of Applied Technology degree from the Utah College of Applied Technology is not eligible
for the NCSP.)

3. I understand there is an alternative way to qualify for the NCSP. What is it and what are the requirements?

The alternative is a specified math and science curriculum which has been approved by the State Board of Regents. There are specific general education, math, and science courses that must be completed to qualify. (See “Getting Started” for a list of the requirements.)

4. Will I be eligible for the NCSP if I take classes at a college/university that does not offer an associate’s degree?

Yes. However, you will be required to have the registrar’s office send an Associate’s Degree Verification Form to the NCSP verifying the completion of the requirements equivalent to an associate’s degree. Contact the college or university regarding course requirements.

5. Is completing the equivalent of an associate’s degree the same thing as receiving one?

No. If you choose to complete the associate’s degree equivalent you will not be awarded an actual Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree from the college or university you attend. The equivalency measure gives you greater flexibility to attend one of the USHE institutions that may not offer associate’s degrees. You should contact the college or university of your choice to find out what programs are offered.

6. When must I complete my associate’s degree or the approved math and science curriculum to be eligible for the NCSP?

To be eligible for the NCSP, you must complete the requirements of an associate’s degree or the approved math and science curriculum with a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 by September 1st of the year your class graduates from a Utah high school.

7. Is there a grade point requirement for my associate’s degree or the math and science curriculum?

Yes. The Utah State Legislature added a grade point requirement to the completion of the associate’s degree and the math and science curriculum. It is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

8. Where can the NCSP funding be used?

The NCSP funding may be used at the following institutions: Dixie State College of Utah, Southern Utah University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, Weber State University, Brigham Young University, or Westminster College. (Note: If the NCSP funding is used at Brigham Young University or Westminster College, the NCSP will cover the lower of up to 75% of the average cost of tuition at the eligible USHE institutions or up to 75% of the actual tuition.)

9. How do I apply for the NCSP and is there an application deadline?

You can apply for the NCSP by completing the application form and sending it to the NCSP with the required documentation. (NOTE: If all of the academic requirements for an associate’s degree are completed before the September 1st deadline, but the degree has not been posted to your transcript or if you complete the equivalency requirements, you will need to have the registrar’s office complete the Associate’s Degree Verification Form and send it to the NCSP.) The application should be submitted as soon as the requirements are completed. However, there is no application deadline. (NOTE: NCSP funds will not be disbursed until all documentation is received.)

10. Will I be eligible for the NCSP funding if I receive other scholarships?

Yes, if you apply for and are awarded other scholarships, you should still be eligible for the NCSP funding. For questions about limits on funding, contact the financial aid office at the college or university where you plan to use your NCSP funding.

11. What will the NCSP cover and how do I receive the funds? Will I be required to use the NCSP funding for
tuition?

The NCSP may cover up to 75% of tuition costs at all USHE four-year institutions. If the NCSP funding is used at Brigham Young University or Westminster College, the NCSP will cover the lower of up to 75% of the average cost of tuition at the eligible USHE institutions or up to 75% of the actual tuition costs. If qualified, you will be required to submit a copy of your detailed class schedule each semester to verify the number of credit hours enrolled. After enrollment and current grade point average are verified, the NCSP will issue a check to the institution on your behalf based on the number of credit hours enrolled. If you have other scholarships which pay for tuition, fees, etc., the institution will refund the remaining balance to you.

12. What are the terms of the NCSP, and what requirements must I fulfill to keep the NCSP funding?

You may use the NSCP funding for up to 60 credit hours or until the requirements for a bachelor’s degree have been met, whichever comes first. You will have five years from the date your class graduated from high school to use the NCSP funding. You must make reasonable progress for each semester the NCSP funding is used. Reasonable progress means you must successfully enroll in and complete at least six credit hours each semester the NCSP funding is awarded. If you fail to earn at least a 3.0 GPA for two consecutive semesters you will lose your eligibility for the NCSP (Note: there is an appeal process for extenuating circumstances). Each semester, you must submit to the NCSP a copy of your grades to verify you have met the required grade point average and are making reasonable progress toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree at the college
or university where you are enrolled.

13. How will the NCSP funds be affected if I need to add or drop classes?

If a class is added after funds have been sent to the institution for the semester, you will need to submit to the NCSP a copy of the detailed class schedule for the added credit hours before a supplemental payment is made. If credit hours are dropped, the subsequent semester funding will be reduced accordingly or you must repay the excess funding amount to the NCSP. If you drop below six credit hours, no funds will be awarded for that semester. The funds for the semester in which you did not complete at least six hours, will need to be repaid or, when you submit your schedule for the next semester, the amount of tuition for the previous semester will be deducted from the new request. If the owed amount is larger than the requested amount no funds will be sent. The owed balance will be carried over to the next semester for repayment. If the requested
amount is larger than the owed amount the difference will be sent to the institution. If you cease further qualified enrollment, you must repay the excess funding amount to the NCSP.

14. May I transfer to a different institution and still receive the NCSP funding?

Yes. As long as you transfer to one of the following eligible institutions: Dixie State College of Utah, Southern Utah University,
University of Utah, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, Weber State University, Brigham Young University, or Westminster College.

15. Will I still be eligible to use NCSP funds if I need to take a leave of absence for religious service, military service, health problems, etc.?

Yes. However, the leave of absence will not extend the time limits of the NCSP. The NCSP funding must be used in its entirety within five years from the date your class graduated from high school. To request an approved leave of absence, you must contact the NCSP.

16. Will the NCSP guarantee that I will complete a bachelor’s degree within the time period of the scholarship?

No. The NCSP does not guarantee that you will complete your bachelor’s degree within the 60 credit hours of available funding. You are responsible for your own academic progress. The NCSP simply assists you to pay for your undergraduate education for a certain number of credit hours (up to 60) within the five year time frame.

17. What if I am home schooled? Will I still be eligible for the NCSP?

Yes. If you completed an associate’s degree or the math and science curriculum with a cumulative GPA 3.0 or above by September 1st of the year you would have graduated from high school, you will be eligible. You will be asked to provide a letter from your school district stating that you were released from attendance to be home schooled or provide some other type of documentation. You should contact the NCSP for more information.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW THE UTAH STATE CODE OR THE
STATE BOARD OF REGENTS RULES FOR THE NEW CENTURY
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES:

UTAH STATE CODE

STATE BOARD OF REGENTS RULES