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Appalachian State University is committed to making higher education affordable for every North Carolina student and has developed the Appalachian Commitment to a College Education for Student Success (ACCESS) program as a method to insure that students from low-income families in North Carolina can attend Appalachian debt-free.
The ACCESS program offers such students a four-year university education at Appalachian debt-free. Specifically, the ACCESS program supplements federal financial aid grants, state financial aid grants and scholarships, and other forms of financial assistance with sufficient funds to cover the cost of institutional charges (tuition, fees, room, board) and an on-campus job for personal expenses for up to four years (eight semesters). Along with the financial assistance for students, a comprehensive program of academic support is a part of Appalachian’s ACCESS program.

To be considered for funding under the ACCESS Program, a student must:

• Be admitted as a first-time freshman enrolled in a first undergraduate degree program
• Be a North Carolina resident
• Attend Appalachian State University as a full-time student
• Meet an adjusted gross income for the prior tax year of or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines (based on family size - see chart below)
• Demonstrate financial need under Federal Methodology (FM) resulting in an EFC not to exceed 500 after Verification of the student's filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current year
• Meet all eligibility criteria for federal student financial aid programs
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by the ASU Office of Student Financial Aid
• Participate in the academic and student services support programs offered to ACCESS Students

To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list Appalachian as a school to receive the results of your FAFSA.

2009 HHS Poverty Guidelines