• You must enroll for at least half-time status (4.5 credit hours), unless enrolling in a thesis or dissertation course (#992, #993, #994).
• A change in enrollment after funds are disbursed and before the end of the tuition refund period will require repayment of all, or a portion of, your student aid.
• A reduction of your course load at any time during the semester may affect your progress toward completion of a degree and your eligibility for financial aid.
• If your enrollment status changes, it may affect your aid package. Discuss any planned changes in enrollment with a financial aid counselor.

We begin to process financial aid for graduate students in mid-April.

• If we need additional documentation, you will receive an email notifying you of items on your ‘To Do’ list in your ConnectCarolina Student Center. On the right side in Student Center click ‘Financial Aid Items’ for additional information.
• If we do not need any additional information you will receive an email to your UNC issued email letting you know you can view your aid offer in your ConnectCarolina Student Center.
• Please keep in mind that it can take up to three weeks to process and review documentation. Your ‘To Do’ list will show a received status when we receive the document, and a complete status when it has been reviewed.

Financial aid is generally disbursed 7 to 10 days before the first day of the semester. Once aid is disbursed, it will go directly to your student account with the University Cashier and be applied to your charges.

If you notice that your aid has not been applied to your account within a week before classes begin for the university, there may be additional action required on your part. Common reasons for not receiving disbursement include:

• You are not meeting the half-time enrollment requirement to receive loans (4.5 credit hours)
• You haven’t completed the loan requirements on your ‘To-Do’ list for your loans.
• You have additional holds that need addressing. Any holds will be displayed in your Connect Carolina Student Center.

Once aid is applied, any aid in excess of charges will be refunded to you; refunds will be processed around the first day of classes. The quickest way to receive your refund is to set up direct deposit with the University cashier.  If you have not selected direct deposit you must email or go in person to the cashier to request and collect your refund check.