Before you search
Beware of scholarship scams! Check out scholarship scam information before starting your search. The University strongly advises against paying for scholarship searches. Most legitimate websites DO NOT charge for scholarship help.
Outside scholarships include any funding from sources other than UNC-Chapel Hill or the state or federal government. Awards from companies, foundations, civic and religious organizations and employer tuition benefits are common examples of outside scholarships.
These scholarships can affect your eligibility for federal, state or University aid, so they must be reported to the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. Outside scholarships help meet college costs, so we are required take these awards into account when determining eligibility for other aid programs.
Scholarship Provider Information
The below questions can help you to navigate the outside scholarship process.
The best time to search is early in your senior year of high school. Awards are available for returning college students, but not as many. Deadlines can run from October to April.
The University does not promote individual outside scholarships. You can search through sites like FastWeb and the College Board.
Due to regulations, we must adjust need-based aid to account for the reporting of outside scholarships. We always reduce need-based loans or work-study before reducing any gift aid, like need-based scholarships or grants.
Yes, cash or prizes provided only to students from entities outside the University are considered financial aid. Federal financial aid guidelines state that any benefits paid to students because of enrollment in a post-secondary education institution or to cover post-secondary education expenses are considered financial aid.
The federal government requires outside scholarships and awards, including tuition benefits from an employer, be reported each year. To view awards that do not need to be reported, see the next item below. Please visit the outside scholarships section of our forms page to find the appropriate reporting form.
Once you have entered your award(s), please allow time for processing. Typically, your award will appear on your Financial Aid Awards list in your ConnectCarolina StudentCenter within a week or two.
If you later find out that you will not receive a reported award, please email outsidescholarships@unc.edu, and we will revise your financial aid accordingly.
If your outside scholarship is renewable, you will need to report it each year.
We’re happy to help with forms for scholarship providers. If they require the school to help certify information, please make sure you’ve authorized the University to share your information (typically with your signature on the provider’s form).
You can:
If your scholarship provider is requesting the University to send an official invoice before sending payment, you will need to complete the following:
• Sponsored Billing FERPA Form
• Request for Official Letter
If you plan to study abroad and expect to receive a scholarship, grant or benefit payment while you are out of the country, please download a copy of this Limited Power of Attorney Agreement. This is particularly important if your award check will be issued in your name or made co-payable to both you and UNC Chapel Hill.
Beware of scholarship scams! Check out scholarship scam information before starting your search. The University strongly advises against paying for scholarship searches. Most legitimate websites DO NOT charge for scholarship help.
We are happy to help! Email our Outside Scholarships Team for assistance.