• Undergraduate Students - The process of financial aid for full-time, undergraduate students who will work on their first bachelor's degree begins with completing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form and a CSS/PROFILE form. This office uses the FAFSA to evaluate your eligibility for federal financial aid and uses the CSS/PROFILE to evaluate your eligibility for UNC-Chapel Hill need-based aid.

  The processors should receive the forms by the priority deadline of March 1. This will mean completing and sending your forms at least by February 15 to insure a timely arrival.

  Scholarships, grants, lower-interest loans, and funds for campus work-study jobs are limited and can usually be offered only to students who meet the March 1 priority deadline. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered as time and resources permit.
   

• Graduate and Professional Students - The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid awards loans and Tuition Enhancement Grants to graduate students who qualify, based on information provided in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.

  The federal processor should receive your completed FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 1. This will mean completing and sending your forms at least by February 15 to insure a timely arrival. Scholarships, grants, and lower-interest loans are limited and can usually be offered only to students who meet the March 1 priority deadline. Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered as time and resources permit.

  Graduate students are also eligible to be awarded money, such as assistantships and fellowships, through their program's department . Each department disburses their own funds, so graduate students should contact your program and inquire about these financial awards.

  Another resource available to graduate students is the Grant Source Library.

The FAFSA can be obtained at a local library, high school guidance office, or any college or university financial aid office. You can also complete a FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or obtain a FAFSA by phoning 1-800-433-3243 (1-800-4FEDAID).

The CSS/PROFILE is available online at http://www.collegeboard.com or by phoning
1-800-778-6888.

These forms can be filled out anytime after January 1. You will need to have your tax return information, but you can estimate amounts if you are having problems getting this information in time to meet the priority deadline, and then send corrections if needed at a later date.

March 1 is the priority processing deadline. Students may still submit an application for financial aid after March 1, but there is no guarantee the financial aid processing will be complete before the beginning of fall semester. Scholarships, grants, lower-interest loans, and funds for campus jobs are limited and can usually be offered only to students who meet the March 1 preference deadline.

Please remember funding is limited and that students who meet the March 1 deadline are first in line for this funding.

Students not receiving University-sponsored scholarships or financial assistance should research possible outside sources of funding.

There are some good resources on the Internet that you can use to help you with your search for private scholarships. Various databases on the Internet have a page or pages of questions for students to complete. Then the databases give some pertinent information about scholarships that match the responses provided by the students. Information about scholarships includes criteria for certain scholarships, application deadlines, the amount of the award, and contact information. Check out sections on this website about "outside" scholarships, searchable databases, and study abroad to get you started.

Another website that has a great amount of useful information about financial aid and scholarships is FinAid.org.

Also, please be aware of scams while searching for private scholarships. Searching for scholarships takes time and can be frustrating, especially since there are no guarantees, but it is an opportunity to help finance an education.

Applications for summer aid are available from this website and in the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. Summer aid applications must be returned by April 1. In addition to the separate UNC Application for Summer Aid, the student must also have a FAFSA on file from the academic year immediately preceding the summer session.

• Incoming first-year undergraduate students should also check the FAQs for Incoming First-Year Undergrads.
   
• Transfer undergraduate students should also check the FAQs for Transfer Undergraduate Students.
   
• All undergraduate students should also check the FAQs for All Undergrads.
   
• Graduate and professional students should also check the FAQs for Grads and Professionals.
   
• International students should also check the FAQs for International Students as well as the FAQs for your appropriate year in school.