UNC
Charlotte administers both
need-based student financial aid and merit-based assistance. About 61% of the
over $100 million administered by the University's
Office of Student Financial Aid
is based on financial need, with the remainder based on achievement, skills,
and abilities. Whether aid is need-based or merit-based, there are two other
distinctions: gift aid and self-help aid. Gift aid carries no repayment or
service requirement, and is typically grants and scholarships. Self-help aid
requires repayment or service in return, and is typically loans and
employment.
Financial need is determined simply by comparing a
student's total cost of attendance with the family's ability to pay those costs.
An
example of total
cost includes the following:
North Carolina Residents
Non-Residents
Undergraduate students:
$4,145
$14,557
Graduate students:
$4,317
$14,625
Tuition and fees -
Tuition and fees at UNC Charlotte are established annually by the North Carolina
General Assembly and by the University Board of Governors.
Exact tuition/fee costs for the upcoming academic-year is
finalized by the North Carolina General Assembly in the the summer prior to the
beginning of the fall semester.
Books and supplies
- Costs for books and supplies varies based on each student's major and
course load. Normally, a student needs about $1,200 for these costs for the
academic year.
Room and board
- On-campus housing is available at UNC Charlotte for over 5,000 students.
Housing plans for an academic-year range from approximately $2,840 to $5110.
The cost of the full meal plan is approximately $3040 for the academic-year.
Details on housing may be obtained from the
Office of Residence Life.
Other costs
- In addition to the direct costs listed above, there are other expenses
related to attending college. These include personal/miscellaneous
expenses and
transportation costs. Although the University is not directly involved
with these costs, they are considered when determining financial aid
eligibility.
The family's ability to
pay college costs is calculated using a national formula determined by the U. S.
Congress which must be used for federal need-based aid. For consistency and
fairness, that same formula is used for all non-federal, need-based aid at UNC
Charlotte. You may obtain
an estimate of your family's expected contribution by using the
Financial Aid Need Analysis Estimation Form.
One form is needed to apply for all need-based aid
at UNC Charlotte. It is the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) and is available in high school guidance offices and
college financial aid offices. Each year, the FAFSA is usually available
beginning in December to apply for aid for the following school year. It may be
completed using paper or on-line. After completing the FAFSA and listing UNC
Charlotte (code 002975) on the form, the federal processor will electronically
send the results to UNC Charlotte about two weeks after it is completed.
Because of very limited financial aid funds, the results must be
received at the University by April 1 (prior to the following academic year) for
the student to be considered for all available aid programs. It is
important to note that several states (including North Carolina's date of March
15) have earlier deadlines for the FAFSA for the student to be considered for
state grants.
