UNC Charlotte administers financial aid without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
The University offers a comprehensive program of student financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment) to assist both graduate and undergraduate students in meeting educational expenses. Reasonable educational expenses include tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, miscellaneous personal expenses, and expenses related to maintenance of a student’s dependents.
Eligibility
The programs of student financial aid are administered according to a nationally accepted policy that the family, meaning parents (or those acting in place of parents) and/or spouse, is responsible for a student’s educational expenses. Therefore, eligibility for financial aid will be determined by a comparison of a budget (educational expenses as defined above) for the period of attendance with what the student’s family can reasonably be expected to contribute.
A financial aid applicant will be considered for available assistance for which they are eligible if the student:
- Completes the application process and related forms only after thoroughly reading all instructions.
- Completes the admission application process and is accepted for enrollment at UNC Charlotte.
- Is working toward a degree or certificate and not simply taking courses.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
Federal and state regulations require that students maintain a certain level of academic performance in order to be eligible for and keep their financial aid. This is known as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). All students who wish to qualify for financial aid must meet three standards known as SAP. These standards include:
- Minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Minimum credit hour completion rate
- Completion of a degree or program of study within a maximum number of credit hours
All prior coursework, attempted and earned, is reviewed in the determination of SAP. Students who have been readmitted as a result of the Forgiveness Policy are still subject to Satisfactory Academic Progress standards for all attempted coursework at UNC Charlotte.
For more complete details on Satisfactory Academic Progress, see the Financial Aid website.
Application Process
To apply for the following programs, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid using the instructions provided online at www.fafsa.gov. The federal school code for UNC Charlotte is 002975.
- Federal Direct Student Loan
- Federal Pell Grant *
- Federal Perkins Loan
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant *
- Federal TEACH Grant
- Federal Work Study
- UNC Need-Based Grant *
- NC Education Lottery Scholarship *
- University Loans
* For undergraduate students only
Renewal Process
Renewal of financial aid is based upon a student making satisfactory academic progress. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is required each year that a student applies for financial aid.
Financial Aid Programs
When students apply for financial aid through FAFSA, they receive an aid offer (or “package”) that includes a combination of these types of aid, based on their financial need and eligibility. Students may earn more than one type of financial aid. For details about the below financial aid options, please visit ninercentral.charlotte.edu/financial-aid/aid-basics
Grants
Federal
Federal Grants, with the exception of TEACH, are awarded to students demonstrating significant financial need as determined by the FAFSA. TEACH is not a need-based grant and could require repayment if the recipient does not fulfill the service agreement.
Completion of the FAFSA is required for grant funding. Grant funding does not have to be repaid, however, the availability of grant funding can be limited. Completing the FAFSA by March 1 will ensure the maximum financial aid award.
- Pell Grant
- Federal Work Study (FWS)
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- TEACH Grant (requires repayment if Agreement to Serve is not fulfilled)
State
State grants are awarded to North Carolina residents based on funding availability and need. Recipients are determined by the state of North Carolina and must be seeking their first undergraduate degree. Restrictions regarding credit hours and semesters completed may apply.
- North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS)
- University of North Carolina Need-Based Grant
Institutional
Students that apply for financial aid by the established priority date of March 1 are considered for institutional need-based awards provided funding is available.
- State Appropriated Grant (SAG)
- Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG)
Loans
Loans are funds that students borrow from the federal government or other lenders and that must be repaid when students are out of school. Repayment begins six months after students graduate, withdraw, or drop below full-time. We recommend that students borrow only what they need.
- Federal Direct Loan Program
- Perkins Loan
- Federal PLUS Direct Loans
- Alternative Loans
Federal Work Study
Federal Work-Study is a work program through which students earn money to help them pay for school. Since Federal Work-Study funding is limited, it is not included in all student awards. Priority is given to students with higher calculated financial eligibility who indicate on the FAFSA that they are interested in student employment. Students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week.
Other Assistance
Education For The Vocationally Disabled
Vocationally disabled students are eligible for aid provided by the North Carolina State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. This aid takes the form of services that include vocational counseling and guidance and placement. Payment of expenses such as training, medical treatment, room and board, books, fees, and tuition may be available. A vocational rehabilitation officer is available in Charlotte for interviewing applicants. Appointments may be made by contacting Vocational Rehabilitation Services at 704-568-8804. Their offices are located at 5501 Executive Center Drive in Charlotte.
Veterans Benefits
UNC Charlotte’s Veterans Student Services Office (VSSO) works with the Veterans Administration to assist in administering the various programs of benefit to veterans or eligible relatives of veterans. The VSSO Certifying Official certifies enrollment and transmits necessary credentials and information to the proper Veterans Administrative Office.
Admission to the University should be obtained before the student makes application for veteran’s benefits. Applicants must be accepted into a degree program to receive benefits.
In order to be eligible for the full monthly allowance under any of the above laws, an undergraduate student must be enrolled for 12 or more semester hours and a graduate student must be enrolled for nine or more semester hours. Those enrolled on a part-time basis will be eligible for part-time compensation. Students are responsible for reporting any change in enrollment status to the VSO Certifying Official.
For details about available programs, please visit veterans.charlotte.edu or call the VA’s toll-free number at 1-800-827-1000.
Children of Veterans
The North Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs awards scholarships for the children of certain deceased or disabled veterans. Those awarded “full” scholarships are entitled to tuition, mandatory fees, board allowance, and room allowance; those awarded “limited” scholarships are entitled to tuition and mandatory fees. Written requests for benefits information may be directed to: VA Atlanta Regional Office, Post Office Box 100022, Decatur, GA 30031-7002 (telephone 888-442-4551).
Before the time of registration, each eligible student who wishes to enter the University should: (1) apply for admission following University procedures and (2) apply for a scholarship award to the North Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs.
