Making colleges affordable in NC |  |
Earning a four-year degree can seem like an insurmountable task, but North Carolina’s public and independent universities provide a variety of programs that can reduce your out-of-pocket costs and help you achieve that bachelor’s degree. Don’t let “sticker shock” keep you from achieving your dream – learn more about these programs and how they can help!
UNC System Public Universities
Fixed Tuition – UNC System (public) universities offer the Fixed Tuition Program for in-state undergraduates. This program freezes tuition rates for eight consecutive semesters, allowing students and families to know what costs to expect right from the beginning and allowing students the opportunity to complete a degree quickly and affordably. The program also offers flexibility regarding the semester limit for five-year programs, and for students who demonstrate a experience a substantial disruption in their pursuit of a degree. Learn the details at https://www.northcarolina.edu/Future-Students/Fixed-Tuition-Program.
NC’s College Promise – The NC Promise Tuition Plan makes the university experience affordable and accessible to all. Through NC Promise, the state has reduced student tuition costs to $500 per semester at three UNC system institutions – Elizabeth City State University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Western Carolina University – beginning in Fall 2018. You can read more about it at https://www.northcarolina.edu/Future-Students/NC-Promise
Other programs include grants, scholarships, and part-time work opportunities including on-campus work and co-op programs. CFNC.org can help you learn more about all these options at https://www.cfnc.org/paying/schol/about_scholgrants.jsp
NC Independent Colleges and Universities
Institutional aid – Institutional aid is funding and/or credits offered by a college or university to offset part of the cost of attendance. Each institution determines how much institutional aid to offer a particular student. To learn more about how colleges decide what to offer, check out https://ncicu.org/you-can-afford-a-private-college/the-facts/.
Grants – Grants are funds that students do not have to repay. North Carolina’s independent colleges and universities participate in numerous grant programs that help reduce the cost of attendance. You can learn more at https://ncicu.org/you-can-afford-a-private-college/types-of-funding/.
Scholarships – Numerous national and state-level organizations offer scholarship opportunities for NC students. There are even college-specific scholarships offered at numerous NC independent colleges. To see details on the wide-variety of scholarships available to help lower the cost of attendance, check out https://ncicu.org/you-can-afford-a-private-college/types-of-funding/.
Work-Study Programs - Federal work-study awards give students the opportunity to gain part-time work experience in their field at an hourly rate equal to or higher than federal minimum wage, depending on the type of work and the skills required. To be considered for this type of funding, you must indicate that you’re interested in work-study on your FAFSA, and send it in early! Learn more at https://ncicu.org/you-can-afford-a-private-college/types-of-funding/.