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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Office of Scholarships & Student Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

Graduate and Professional Students

Where do I begin the process of applying for and acquiring financial assistance?

The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid awards loans and Tuition Enhancement Grants to graduate students who qualify, based on information provided in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.

The federal processor should receive your completed FAFSA 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, and lower-interest loans 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.

Graduate students are also eligible to be awarded money through their program's department such as assistantships and fellowships. Each department disburses their own funds, so graduate students should contact your program and inquire about these financial awards.

Another resource available for graduate students is the Grant Source Library.

How do I apply for/receive a scholarship, assistantship, or grant?

Please see the FAQ Where do I begin.... You may also want to begin looking for non-federal or non-institutional sources of aid. Please see the question under General FAQs about private (or outside) scholarships for more information about this type of financial aid.

How do I obtain copies of the FAFSA form? 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 FAFSA form. It is fairly easy to acquire a copy 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).

Before I go, what else might be important for me to know about applying for financial aid?

• All students should check the General FAQs.

• Graduate or professional international students should also check the FAQs for International Students.

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