Application Process
To apply, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), listing UNC Charlotte, federal code 002975, on the form. No other application form is necessary. You may complete the FAFSA on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Deadline Date
To be considered for grant assistance, your completed FAFSA must be received by the Financial Aid Office by April 1 prior to the following academic year. However, there is no deadline date for loan assistance.

Grant Assistance
Most grant programs from federal and state sources are limited to undergraduate students. The Financial Aid Office administers two grant programs which are also open to graduate students. The State Appropriated Grant provides up to $1000 in grant assistance to needy NC residents. Students with significant levels of financial need (based on the FAFSA) who apply by April 1 are awarded grants until the fund is exhausted. The Tuition Assistance Grant provides up to $1200 in grant assistance to needy students regardless of state residency who apply by April 1. Students with moderate levels of financial need are awarded grants until the fund is exhausted. For more information on financial need, go to the Financial Aid Office link at the end of this message.

Loan Assistance
Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 annually from the Federal Stafford Loan Program, subject to the limitations described below. Stafford Loans are repaid beginning six months after the borrower completes a degree or six months after ceasing at least half-time enrollment. Loans are interest-free while in school for students with financial need; these are called Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans. The annual maximum amount under the Subsidized Stafford program for a graduate student is $8,500. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available to students without financial need. For unsubsidized loans, interest begins to accrue at the time of the first loan disbursement. The interest rate for both types of the Stafford loan is fixed at 6.8%. In addition to Stafford Loans, graduate students may borrow funds through the federal Graduate PLUS loan program. The interest rate for Graduate PLUS is fixed at 8.5%. Each student's maximum loan amount (combining all loan sources) is limited to the student's total Cost of Attemdance minus any other aid received. More detail on Cost of Attendance is provided below. For more information on loans, go to the Financial Aid Office link at the end of this message.

Questions and Answers

What are the costs of graduate school at UNC Charlotte?
Full-time (9+ hours) tuition/fees for graduate students for the 2007-08 year were $4,547 for NC residents and $14,554 for non-NC residents. For financial aid purposes each year, the Financial Aid Office estimates a total cost of attendance. The total includes the five components of tuition/fees, books/supplies, room/board, transportation, and personal/miscellaneous. For the 2007-08 academic year (fall and spring semesters) the total estimated cost of attendance for NC residents is $18,645, and for non-NC residents is $29,057. Again, this is an estimate. Other than tuition/fees and books, each student’s costs are determined by that student’s living and commuting situation.

Is the amount of financial aid received from the Financial Aid Office affected by assistance provided by the Graduate School?
Yes, for Stafford and Graduate PLUS Loans the federal government requires that schools “coordinate” the amount of assistance it provides a student from all sources. Generally, the total of financial aid provided by the school for an academic year cannot exceed the school’s estimated cost of attendance for that academic year. It is important to note that earnings (stipends) received as a graduate assistant are not included in this requirement. An example of the coordination requirement and loan limitation follows.

A NC resident graduate student was awarded a $3,000 grant from the Graduate School. The student completed a FAFSA in mid-March and was awarded an $800 Tuition Assistance Grant and a Stafford Loan from the Financial Aid Office. To determine the student’s maximum Stafford Loan amount, both grant awards are subtracted from the total estimated cost of attendance of $17,150. The maximum Stafford Loan amount would be $13,350 for the academic year.

How and when do I receive funds from Financial Aid awards?
For loan and grant awards processed prior to the start of the semester*, funds are credited to your University student account at the beginning of each semester. University charges (normally tuition and fees) are deducted from your total financial aid funds, and the Office of Student Accounts prepares a refund for the remainder. It is available in the form of a check beginning the first day of classes; or, you may sign up for automatic bank deposit so that the refund is deposited into your personal bank account beginning the first day of classes. The refund may be used for off campus housing, books, transportation, or other miscellaneous costs of attending school.

*In addition to the FAFSA, receipt of Stafford Loan funds requires the completion of a promissory note and for first time borrowers at UNC Charlotte an entrance loan counseling session. These must be completed in sufficient time for funds to be received from the lender prior to the start of the semester. For more details on this and on automatic bank deposit, go to the Financial Aid Office link shown below.

If I have a graduate grant that pays all or a portion of my tuition/fees, how does that affect my financial aid refund?
Graduate fellowships and grants are also credited to your student account at the beginning of each semester, just as other financial aid awards. If such an award covers your full University charges, then you would receive the full amount of your other financial aid in the refund process described above.

What if I would like to attempt to meet financial responsibilities without using a student loan, but later in the semester or the year determine that a loan is needed?
If the Financial Aid Office has a FAFSA on file and you meet general financial aid requirements (U.S. citizenship, at least half-time enrollment in a degree or certificate program), a loan can be processed at any time during the year. Funds remain available for all eligible students throughout the year. The only time constraint is that the office needs at least three weeks before a semester ends to process a loan for that semester.

Can I receive financial aid if I am enrolled as a post-bac student and not in a degree or certificate program?
No, federal and state regulations require that a student be admitted into a degree or certificate program in order to receive financial aid.

Where can I find additional information about loan and grant processes in the Financial Aid Office?
Go to www.uncc.edu/finaid. You will find all the details needed to plan and complete the FAFSA and learn more about loan requirements, as well as links to other financial aid sites.