June 1, 2008

Greetings!

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has many positive distinguishing characteristics, but chief among them is its affordability. For the 7th year in a row, Kiplinger’s has recognized the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill the “best value in public colleges and universities” in the nation. Their rankings cite high academic standards, stellar academics, low-to-moderate costs, generous financial aid, and the special efforts of the Carolina Covenant® to serve students from low-income families.

During the most recent year, well over half of the student body (undergraduate, graduate and professional students) received a total of $220 million in student financial aid – including grants, scholarships, loans and work-study jobs. In addition, the University continues its ten-year old practice of awarding a “laptop grant” (above and beyond a need-based financial aid award) to all entering students who demonstrate need. That is the University’s way of ensuring that all students have access to essential technology.

The University’s financial aid policies are pretty straightforward. We meet the full need of undergraduate students who apply by March 1. A typical financial aid award is composed of two-thirds in grants and scholarships (money that does not have to be repaid) and one-third in loans and/or student employment. The University is also proud to support the Carolina Covenant® -- a program for students from low-income families which makes it possible for these students to graduate debt-free, providing they work 10 – 12 hours per week in an on-campus work-study job.

While most financial aid at Carolina is based on need, the University awards approximately 250 new merit-based scholarships each year. These awards are made to entering freshmen, and are renewable throughout undergraduate study. In most cases, no separate scholarship application is required. Information provided on the application for admission to the University is usually all that is needed to be considered for these awards.

We hope that this website will be helpful to you in finding ways to finance your education at Carolina. Our policies and procedures evidence the abiding commitment of the University and the State to protect access to Carolina for low and middle-income students with need. Ours is a proud, but uncommon, tradition in American higher education. Come join that tradition!

Sincerely,

Shirley A. Ort,
Associate Provost and
Director of Scholarships and Student Aid