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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Office of Scholarships & Student Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Incoming First-Year Undergraduate Students
Where do I begin the process of applying for and acquiring financial assistance?
The process of financial aid for full-time, undergraduate students who will work on their first bachelor's degree begins with completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) and a CSS/PROFILE form. This office uses the FAFSA to evaluate your eligibility for federal financial aid and uses the CSS/PROFILE to evaluate your eligibility for UNC-Chapel Hill. The processors should receive the forms by the priority deadline of March 1. This will mean completing and sending your forms at least by February 15 to insure a timely arrival. Scholarships, grants, lower-interest loans and funds for campus, work-study jobs are limited and can usually be offered only to students who meet the March 1 priority deadline. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered as time and resources permit.
How do I obtain copies of FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE forms? Can they be mailed to me?
Unfortunately, due to the large number of requests and costs, this office is unable to mail out individual copies of the financial aid forms. It is fairly easy to acquire them through other sources, though. The FAFSA can be obtained at a local library, high school guidance office, or any college or university financial aid office. You can also complete a FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or obtain a FAFSA by phoning 1-800-433-3243 (1-800-4FEDAID). The CSS/PROFILE is available online at http://www.collegeboard.com or by phoning 1-800-778-6888.
What types of scholarships do you have? Do they have an extra application?
Carolina has a variety of merit-based scholarships for incoming, first-year students. (Please visit our Merit-Based Scholarships page.) Undergraduate students may apply for need-based scholarships using the CSS/PROFILE form. International students should contact the International Center to learn about any assistance available to them since we are unable to fund non-citizens or non-residents.
Students not receiving University-sponsored scholarships or financial assistance should research possible outside sources of funding.
When do I need to apply to UNC-Chapel Hill in order to be considered for merit-based scholarships?
You must apply to the University by January 15 to be given fullest consideration for merit-based scholarships.
When do I find out whether I have been offered an merit-based scholarship?
Applicants who submit an Admissions application by November 1 will be notified in mid-January if they have been selected as a candidate for scholarship consideration. Applicants who submit an Admissions application by January 15 will be notified in mid-March about their candidacy status. Recipients of merit-based scholarships will be notified in mid-March. Pogue Scholarship applicants will hear in late January whether they have been selected as finalists for the interviews held in February.
How are students selected for merit-based scholarships?
The Scholarships Committee looks at a variety of factors when making scholarship recommendations. In addition to looking at traditional academic indicators (grade performance and strength of curriculum followed in high school, SAT scores, etc.), the Committee also looks closely at demonstration of intellectual curiosity, the quality of essay responses on the application for admission, and whether or not the candidate shows potential to contribute in significant or unique ways to the life of the campus.
Can you tell me more about the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program?
To find out information about the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program, you need to read thoroughly their website. If you have any questions after reading their information, you should contact the Morehead-Cain Foundation.
Website: www.moreheadcain.org
Email: unclemot@unc.edu
Phone: (919) 962-1201
FAX: (919) 962-1615
The Morehead-Cain Foundation
UNC-Chapel Hill
Morehead Planetarium Building
East Franklin Street 152A CB# 3485
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Where can I find out more about the Robertson Scholars Program?
For more information on this program, go to the website: www.robertsonscholars.org.
I want to play sports at Carolina. Can you tell me about athletic scholarships?
The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid only administers athletic scholarships awarded by the Athletic Department. For more information, call the Administrative Office of the Athletics Department at (919) 962-6000 or write to the head coach of the respective department. The address is:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Athletic Department
PO Box 2126
Chapel Hill, NC 27515
Before I go, what else might be important for me to know about applying for aid?
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