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The mission of the UNC Asheville Office of Financial Aid is to provide financial assistance that helps students remove the financial barriers to obtaining a college education. Our goal is to help each student overcome financial obstacles so they can avail themselves of the first-class education offered at UNC Asheville. We offer a full range of merit- and need-based financial aid options, and we work with students one-on-one to help them achieve their education goals.
UNC Asheville offers a broad program of financial aid for students who qualify on the basis of financial need and academic potential. Financial aid may consist of a scholarship, a grant, a loan, campus employment or a combination of these. Assistance provided by the University will supplement the resources of students and their parents and should not be relied upon to defray all expenses.
Applicants for financial aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/, listing UNC Asheville as the college choice using federal school code 002907. Financial aid applications for the academic year beginning in August will be available October 1 of the preceding calendar year. Financial Aid will be awarded on the basis of need as funding permits. Financial aid packages are made to students only after they have been admitted for a given term.
Below are links to helpful resources. Detailed information is available on the Office of Financial Aid website, https://new.unca.edu/admission/financial-aid/.
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate designed to help students determine what it may cost to attend UNC Asheville for an academic year. It is not an actual or final amount.
Types of Aid
Students have a number of options for financial aid to help pay for college. Explore the various types of aid, eligibility requirements, and learn how to apply for aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for Financial Aid
Federal regulations require all schools participating in Title IV Federal Financial Aid Programs to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. The requirements of this policy apply to all students seeking a degree as one determinant of eligibility for financial aid.
The SAP policy must measure a student’s progress both qualitatively (cumulative grade-point average (GPA) and quantitatively (Completion Ratio). In addition, students are also required to complete their degree requirements within a certain number of attempted hours (Maximum Time Limit). SAP applies to all applicants and recipients of financial aid. Financial Aid is defined as all federal, state, and institutional aid.
Maximum Time Limit
To remain eligible for financial aid, undergraduate students seeking their first baccalaureate degree must complete their requirements within 150% of the published length of their academic program. This includes students who are seeking more than one major or minor. Therefore, students seeking a first baccalaureate degree must complete their requirements within 180 attempted hours to remain eligible for financial aid. However, because most UNC Asheville programs require no more than 120 hours to complete, students are not eligible to receive additional Title IV aid once they have fulfilled requirements to graduate. If a student elects to postpone taking required courses to avoid graduation, while continuing to take courses not required for their program, they will no longer be eligible for aid.
Student records are evaluated at the end of each semester for Satisfactory Academic Progress. If the SAP review shows that the student who has surpassed the 120-hour minimum requirement (100%), cannot complete his or her program within 180 credits (150%), the student will no longer be eligible for Title IV aid.
Exceptions to 180 Credit Hour Max:
- Students seeking a second undergraduate degree must complete their requirements within 230 cumulative attempted hours.
- Students in the Mechatronics or Teacher Licensure programs must complete their degree or certificate in 192 cumulative attempted hours.
- Students seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree must complete their degree in 188 cumulative attempted hours.
Complete information regarding the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy is available at https://www.unca.edu/admission/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress/
Course Program of Study (CPOS)
Course Program of Study (CPOS) is a U.S. Department of Education requirement that mandates courses must count toward a student’s program of study to be eligible for financial aid. This helps students lower the cost of their education by focusing on taking the courses needed to complete requirements and graduate. Federal and state financial aid is only awarded for courses included in the program of study.
The program of study includes the Liberal Arts Core requirements (general education), the major requirements, and any elective hours needed to reach the required minimum of 120 hours. To receive a full financial aid award, coursework must include a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours from the program of study each spring and fall semester. If a student is taking fewer than 12 hours that apply to CPOS, financial aid is reduced and awarded on a prorated basis. A minimum of 6 semester hours is required to receive aid. Additional information is available at https://new.unca.edu/admission/financial-aid/course-program-of-study/.
Financial Aid Census Date Policy
In accordance with federal and state regulations, the Office of Financial Aid will recalculate federal, state and institutional student aid awards based on the student’s enrollment status toward CPOS on the published census date established by the Office of the Registrar. The census date is typically the end of the 10th day of class for both fall and spring terms. The census date for summer will vary based on the term in which courses are taken.
Financial aid is awarded to eligible students prior to the start of the semester, based on the assumption that they will be enrolled in a full-time status (12 or more credit hours toward CPOS). Students whose credit hours are below full-time on census day may be required to repay some or all of the aid that was initially disbursed. Students are not eligible to receive additional funding for any credits added after the census date. Students who are taking a Term I or Term II course within a semester could have adjustments made to their Financial Aid if they drop the course and it brings their enrollment below full-time status.
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