North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 116. Higher Education § 116-25.1. Semester limitation on eligibility for The University of North Carolina need-based financial aid grants

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a student shall not receive a grant from The University of North Carolina Need-Based Financial Aid Program for more than 10 full-time academic semesters, or its equivalent if enrolled part-time, unless the student is enrolled in a program officially designated by the Board of Governors as a five-year degree program. If a student is enrolled in such a five-year degree program, then the student shall not receive a need-based grant from The University of North Carolina Need-Based Financial Aid Program for more than 12 full-time academic semesters or its equivalent if enrolled part-time.

(b) Upon application by a student, the constituent institution may grant a waiver to the student who may then receive a grant for the equivalent of one additional full-time academic semester if the student demonstrates that any of the following have substantially disrupted or interrupted the student's pursuit of a degree: (i) a military service obligation, (ii) serious medical debilitation, (iii) a short-term or long-term disability, or (iv) other extraordinary hardship. The Board of Governors shall establish policies and procedures to implement the waiver provided by this subsection.