Office of Financial Aid Grants & Scholarships
Federal Aid
State Aid
Scholarships
More information on the aid programs below can be found within our Programs at a Glance.
Federal Aid
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
Awarded to students who are Pell Grant eligible and have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study on or after January 1, 2006. ACG is available for the student’s first two academic years. Students must have maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. You must file a FAFSA
and be enrolled in at least 12 hours to be eligible for the ACG.
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded on the basis of calculated need from the FAFSA to undergraduate students who have no prior bachelor’s degree.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Awarded on the basis of exceptional financial need as calculated by the FAFSA. Priority is given to those who are Pell Grant eligible. Students must be an undergraduate
and enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.
Federal Work Study Program
Awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the FAFSA. UNC Asheville requires that the student be in enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART)
Awarded to students who are Pell Grant eligible pursuing majors in the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering, or foreign languages critical to the national security of the United States. The student must be enrolled as a full-time
(at least 12 credit hours) third or fourth year student in an undergraduate degree program and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
State Aid
Education Access Rewards North Carolina Scholars Fund (EARN)Awarded on the basis of financial need that qualify as legal residents of North Carolina for tuition purposes, are enrolled full-time at a North Carolina public university or community college within seven months of high school graduation, are dependents, and is Pell Grant eligible. EARN is available for the equivalent of two academic years. You must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours to remain eligible. Learn more.
**In August of 2009, the NC General Assembly passed their 2009-2011 biennial budget. While the General Assembly was able to fund most of the aid programs at levels similar to last year or greater, the EARN program was found to be unsustainable. As a result, EARN recipients (new and renewal) will receive $2,000 for the 2009 fall semester only and the program is repealed for future years.
Escheats Scholarship
Awarded on the basis calculated need from the FAFSA to undergraduate students who are North Carolina residents and enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.
North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS)
Awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The student must be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes, be in enrolled in at least six credit hours, and an undergraduate student seeking their first bachelor’s degree. The student's initial award is based on the assumption that they will be full-time (at least 12 credit hours). If the student is enrolled between 6 and 11 hours, the student is only eligible to receive half of the original funded amount.
North Carolina Need Base Grant
Awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The student must be a North Carolina resident and be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.
North Carolina Student Incentive Grant (NCSIG)
Awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The student must be a North Carolina resident and be enrolled in at least 12 creidt hours in a baccalaureate degree program.
NC Teaching Fellows Program
Awarded on the basis of academic achievement to first-year undergraduate students with a major leading to teacher licensure. For more information, see CFNC's Website.
North Carolina Tuition Offset Grant
This grant is provided by the state of North Carolina to help students offset the yearly increases of tuition. Awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the FAFSA. You must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours to remain eligible for this grant.
The University of North Carolina Need Based Grant
Awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The student must be attending one of the 16 constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, and have no more than 120 cumulative credit hours. The student's initial award is based on the assumption that they will be full-time. If the student is enrolled between 6 and 11 hours, the student is only eligible to receive half of the original funded amount.
UNC Asheville Admissions Scholarships
Laurels Scholarship*
Through the generosity of past and present donors, UNC Asheville offers a variety of scholarships, ranging from approximately $1,000 per year to full tuition and fees, to entering freshman who demonstrate high academic achievements. Though some scholarships carry donor-specific restrictions, many of these scholarships are unrestricted and are available to students who meet the academic or academic/need criteria. Most scholarships are renewable as long as the recipient maintains the specified minimum grade-point average (GPA) and satisfactory academic progress towards his/her degree. You must be accepted to UNC Asheville and all application materials must be submitted by November 15, 2009 to be considered for the 2010-2011 academic year. For further information, please contact the Admissions Office at 828-251-6481 or 1-800-531-9842.
*You must be accepted to UNC Asheville and all application materials must be submitted by November 15, 2009 to be considered for the 2010-2011 academic year. For further information, please contact the Admissions Office at 828-251-6481 or 1-800-531-9842.
The Jack K. Kiely Scholarship
The Jack K. Kiely Scholarship is awarded to rising juniors and seniors (based on cumulative credit hours). Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and preference is given to students that are employed full time (40 hours per week) outside the university. Please complete and return the application and essay to the UNC Asheville Office of Financial Aid no later than April 1, 2009.Other North Carolina Grants, Scholarships, and Loans
The College Foundation of North Carolina has a complete listing of all grants, scholarships, and loans that are available. Information and applications for these programs are available through the College Foundation Website.
Other Types of Aid and Scholarships
Federal Student Aid Scholarship SearchFree Scholarship Search
Information on Various Types of Aid
The Federal Trade Commission's website on scholarship scams - how to recognize and avoid them.