Cost of Attendance (COA)
Glossary
Cost of Attendance (COA)
COA stands for Cost of Attendance; serves as a student’s budget, including tuition, fees, room, board, etc. Total of all aid cannot be greater than COA.
CSS Profile
A separate application for financial aid found on the College Board website; UNC uses this form to evaluate a student for university-based funds, including the CCI laptop grant and University Grant
Deferment
A temporary postponement of payment on a loan that is allowed under certain conditions and during which interest on need-based loans generally does not accrue. Interest will continue to accrue but payment will be postponed on non-need-based loans.
Dependant
A student who is dependent upon their parents for financial aid purposes; must include parental information on FAFSA, CSS PROFILE, and any other financial aid documents. Rules for dependency can be found here.
Direct Data Exchange (DDX)
System used to transfer individuals tax information to determine federal aid eligibility (replaces what used to be the IRS data retrieval tool DRT).
Direct Loans
Federal student loans, made through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, that eligible students and parents borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education at participating schools. Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and Direct Consolidation Loans are types of Direct Loans.
Direct PLUS Loan
Federal loans that graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students use to help pay for education expenses.
Direct Subsidized Loans
Loans offered to undergraduate students and based on financial need. You must submit a FAFSA application for consideration each year. Will not accrue interest while you’re in school at least half-time (six or more hours). Repayment begins six-months after your graduate school or drop below half-time enrollment (fewer than six hours).
Direct Unsubsidized loans
Loans offered to undergraduate and graduate students, there is no requirement to demonstrate financial need, but you must submit the FAFSA for consideration. Offered amounts are based on loan limits and program cost of attendance. Half-time (six hours) or greater enrollment is required to borrow. Interest will accrue at the time the loan is disbursed. Repayment begins six-months from graduation or when enrollment drops below half-time (fewer than six hours).
Disbursement
When your financial aid is sent to your student account (paying toward your university billed charges) at the Cashier’s Office.