A Simple Guide to Applying for UNC-Chapel Hill Financial Aid

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Learn Everything About UNC-Chapel Hill Financial Aid Options

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill goes by many names—UNC, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill, but students and alumni call her Carolina. It’s a public research university with around 30,000 students. The tuition costs $8,980 (in-state) or $36,159 (out-of-state).

If you can’t set aside that much money, you can apply for UNC-Chapel Hill financial aid. will guide you through your options and help you file an appeal if Carolina rejects your application or doesn’t offer enough money.

How To Apply for Chapel Hill Financial Aid

To be considered for a recipient of financial aid at Chapel Hill, you need to complete the:

Take a look at the table below for additional info about the two forms:

FAFSA InstructionsCSS Profile Instructions
  • Use UNC-Chapel Hill’s FAFSA school code—002974
  • Get your FSA ID to sign electronically. Keep this info safe because you will need it in the future
  • Go to the federal website to learn which parent’s financial information to use on the FAFSA
  • Use UNC-Chapel Hill’s school code—5816
  • Enter the income to see if you are eligible for a CSS Profile fee waiver from the College Board
  • Complete the CSS Profile to see whether you qualify for the CCI laptop grant because all Carolina students must own a laptop

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—Financial Aid Options Available

UNC-Chapel Hill offers financial aid from federal, state, and University sources to full-time students. You can apply for these types of aid:

  • Grants
  • Academic scholarships
  • Loans
  • Work-study programs

Grant Options at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Grants are need-based, applied directly to college costs, and don’t require repayment. At Carolina, you can apply for:

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  • University Grants
  • CCI Laptop Grant
  • Named Grants and Need-Based Scholarships

Scholarships Available at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Scholarships are also non-repayable. The criteria for academic scholarships include:

  1. Academic achievement
  2. Leadership qualities
  3. Commitment to service and potential for success at the University

At the University of North Carolina, you can apply for the following scholarships:

  • Blue Sky Scholars
  • General Alumni Association Scholarships
  • Carolina Scholarship
  • Pogue Scholarship
  • Wood Family Scholarship
  • Innovation Scholarships
  • Johnston Scholarship
  • College Fellows and Tar Heel Merit Scholarships
  • Colonel Robinson Scholarship
  • Old Well and Founders Scholarships

Student Loans You Can Apply for at UNC-Chapel Hill

Loans require repayment with interest. The eligibility criteria are easier to meet compared to grants and scholarships. Here are your options:

  • Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
  • UNC Institutional Loans
  • Federal Parent PLUS Loans
  • Private Loans

What You Should Know About Work-Study Programs at Chapel Hill

Work-Study is funded by the federal program of the U.S. Department of Education and through Carolina Works (funded by the University).

These programs allow students to earn college money by working part-time on campus or at community service agencies. You can always find a program that matches your skills, interests, and career plans.

Important Deadlines You Should Keep in Mind

Keeping up with deadlines is an essential part of the financial aid application process. Here are the dates to mark in your calendar:

  • Financial Aid Applications (FAFSA and CSS Profile)—March 1
  • University Aid Consideration (students starting in Fall)—June 15
  • University Aid Consideration (students starting in Spring)—February 19

Note that you only need to complete the CSS Profile for your first year at Carolina unless you:

  • Have had a drastic change in finances
  • Leave school for more than one academic year

Depending on the type of financial assistance you get, you can receive aid for a predetermined period.

Got More Financial Aid Questions? Contact Carolina’s Financial Aid Office

The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid is at your disposal for any questions about the financial aid application process. You can get in touch with the advisors in the following ways:

  • Phone—919-962-8396
  • Email—aidinfo@unc.edu

The staff is available from Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST/EDT.

Not Satisfied With Carolina’s Decision? Use DoNotPay To File a Financial Aid Appeal

In case you get an underwhelming offer and need more funds or the school rejects your application, send an appeal letter! DoNotPay is here to help you with the process. You only need to follow these steps:

  1. Search for the Appeal for More Financial Aid product
  2. Inform us about the financial aid offers you got from other universities (if you applied to more than one)
  3. Provide the essential information about your family’s income

In case you are looking for information about financial aid for graduate schools, DoNotPay can also help you out!

Check out what other schools have to offer:

MIT Financial AidRutgers University Financial AidColumbia University Financial Aid
Cornell University Financial AidPrinceton Financial AidUniversity of California, Santa Cruz Financial Aid
University of California, Berkeley Financial AidUniversity of California San Diego Financial AidStanford University Financial Aid
New York University Financial AidUniversity of California, Los Angeles Financial AidUniversity of California, Davis Financial Aid
Harvard University Financial AidPurdue University Financial AidYale University Financial Aid

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