Beginning in fall 2024, Carolina will cover out-of-pocket costs for tuition and mandatory fees for North Carolina undergraduates whose families make less than $80,000 a year and have typical assets. This initiative broadens UNC-Chapel Hill’s commitment to access and affordability for North Carolina families.
One of the strongest drivers of Carolina’s ability to recruit top students, as well as a key factor in its national reputation, is its nearly unique position among public institutions to meet the full demonstrated financial need of eligible undergraduates who qualify to receive federal financial aid.
This effort extends that commitment by encouraging top students with different life experiences and financial means to consider the possibility of becoming a Tar Heel. Expanding opportunity beyond our already robust programs allows us to provide this clear commitment to North Carolina families, many of which still believe that a Carolina education is too expensive and out of their reach.
Learn More
Have questions about this new program? See the list of frequently asked questions below to learn more about this exciting new program!
Beginning in fall 2024, undergraduates from North Carolina whose families have total household incomes below $80,000 and typical assets will receive grant and scholarship aid to cover at least the amount of tuition and mandatory fees.
Prospective students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profile, along with any requested supporting documents by our university aid deadline, to be considered for the commitment. You will be considered for this and other types of financial aid after being admitted to the University.
Like other need-based financial aid, you are evaluated each year and must complete the required aid application(s) and submit all required additional documentation by the stated OSSA university aid deadlines.
Income eligibility is based on a household’s total incomerather than adjusted gross income.
Additionally, this program is based on typical family assets. We review your aid application to determine if family assets (excluding retirement savings) are typical for a household’s income level. Assets include but are not limited to cash, savings, investments, business/farm worth, and real estate.
The Tar Heel Guarantee ensures eligible students will receive last-dollar grant or scholarship funding to cover tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other programs or awards. If other programs or awards, including private scholarships, are covering all your tuition and mandatory fees already, then you will not be eligible for additional aid under this commitment. You will, however, be evaluated for additional funding to determine any remaining eligibility for need-based financial aid. Many students receiving need-based aid will have more than their tuition and mandatory fees covered with grants and/or scholarships under our regular packaging policy.
| Example: Student Eligible for Funding to Cover Tuition & Fees | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $8,000 |
| Pell Grant | $1,000 |
| State Grant | $1,500 |
| Other Private or University Grants and/or Scholarships | $4,500 |
| Remaining Tuition and Fee Costs | $1,000 |
| Commitment | $1,000 |
| Example: Student With Tuition & Fees Covered Through Existing Funding | |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $8,000 |
| Pell Grant | $4,000 |
| State Grant | $2,000 |
| Other University Grants and/or Scholarships | $9,000 |
| Remaining Tuition and Fee Costs | $0 |
| Commitment | $0 |
Yes, you need to complete the CSS Profile to be eligible for consideration. If you are a new undergraduate student we will also consider you for the Carolina Computing Initiative (CCI) Laptop grant as well as other University grant and scholarship funding. You are only required to complete the CSS Profile once while at Carolina unless you have a significant change in family financial circ*mstances or a break in enrollment.
Yes, the University grant deadline* applies for consideration.
*Please note the grant deadline was waived for 2024-2025 due to FAFSA delays
No, you are not eligible if you are not working on your first Bachelor’s degree.
No, you can be enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours if you are admitted to a degree program, working on your first Bachelor’s degree and meet the other eligibility requirements.
No, this guarantee covers fall and spring tuition and mandatory fees for enrollment in an eligible first Bachelor’s degree program.
The Tar Heel Guarantee does not impact the Carolina Covenant or Blue Sky Scholar programs. Each program has unique attributes. As a last-dollar award, the Tar Heel Guarantee will ensure all eligible students have grant or scholarship funding that covers their tuition and mandatory fees. Visit our website to learn more about the Carolina Covenant or Blue Sky Scholars Programs.
Yes, this commitment is only available if you qualify for N.C. resident tuition.
Yes, if you are a N.C. Resident for tuition purposes, you will be considered for the Tar Heel Guarantee.
No, if your tuition and mandatory fees are covered by a third-party, such as veteran’s educational benefits or an employer agreement, you are not also eligible for the Tar Heel Guarantee.
As an entering first-year student, you can receive this award for up to 8 semesters of undergraduate study. For all other students, the maximum semesters of funding will be prorated based on your current academic level starting in 2024-25.
Yes. If you meet the eligibility criteria for the Tar Heel Guarantee and don’t have grants and/or scholarships that cover the value of on-campus tuition and fees you will still receive the award. If you are eligible and receive scholarships to study abroad, it is possible that you may only qualify for this award during the semester that you are on campus.
