Out-of-State Student Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What kind of financial aid from UNC Charlotte is given to out-of-state students? Do out-of-state students qualify for any campus awards or must they all be federal?

As an out-of-state student you would need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is your application for federal grants and student loans. You will need to provide your parents tax information and your financial aid will be awarded depending on your financial need. Many students receive some combination of grants and loans regardless of their primary residence. For information about financial aid and scholarships awarded by the University, visit www.uncc.edu/finaid.

2. I’ve been accepted to UNC Charlotte and I plan on attending but I'm not really sure on what I should do next (like forms and fees). I know that there are deadlines that are approaching. What should I do next?

Once you have decided to attend UNC Charlotte you should click on “Enroll Now” at the top of the admitted student webpage. Students are required to notify the admissions office of their intent no later than May 1st. After you let us know that you are coming, you should register for SOAR, the summer orientation program, online at www.soar.uncc.edu. At SOAR, you will meet an advisor, register for classes, take necessary placement tests, and get oriented to campus. You should be able to take care of all of your university business at SOAR. For a list of admitted student responsibilities, click here.

3. I will be moving to Charlotte in July to an apartment across the street. I was wondering what my chances are of getting in-state tuition after a year. How is residency for tuition purposes determined?

There are many factors that are considered when determining a student’s residency for tuition purposes.

Under North Carolina law, to quality for in-state tuition for a given term, you must prove that you

• established your domicile (legal residence) in North Carolina 12 months prior to the beginning of the term, and
• you have maintained it for at least 12 continuous months.

To prove you established a bona fide domicile in North Carolina, you must prove that

• you were physically present in the state, with the intent to make North Carolina your permanent home indefinitely
• you did not move to North Carolina solely for the purpose of attending an institution of higher learning in the state.

4. What is SOAR and do you have to attend?

SOAR is the Student, Orientation, Advising and Registration program that students have to go through in order to register for classes. During this program, among other things, you will meet with your advisor, select your classes, and take the math and foreign language placement exam.

SOAR is scheduled for several days in June and July. Because it is such an important program, we have a website designed specifically to tell you about what you should expect. Your parents are invited to come too! Be sure that you plan to attend! Please visit the site at www.soar.uncc.edu

5. I am an admitted freshman for the Fall of 2008. If I plan to major in NURSING at UNCC, but when I filled out my application I checked UNDECIDED, what do I need to do change my major?

Just send an email to unccadm@uncc.edu and we will be glad to change your major. Please be sure that you include your full name, Student ID number and your birthday in your email so that we can correctly identify your record.

6. What is the average GPA and SAT for the admitted class of 2007?

Right now, our average GPA range for the middle 50% of admitted freshmen is a weighted 3.4-4.0 and the middle 50% SAT range for admitted freshmen is 1480-1730 with the writing score included in the total.

7. Does UNC-Charlotte require that students bring a laptop or their own personal computer, or can we purchase them at the University?

UNC Charlotte does not require students to bring a computer. We do have a number of 24/7 computer labs on campus. However, some academic colleges require that students have their own computer. If you are interested in purchasing a desk top or a lap top computer, our book store contracts with Dell. All residence halls have high-speed internet access. For information about computer labs on campus, requirements for academic colleges or recommendations when purchasing a computer, visit Student Computing at http://www.labs.uncc.edu

8. Does UNC Charlotte require a deposit, and if so when?

UNC Charlotte does not have an enrollment deposit. You should, however, notify the Admissions office by May 1st of whether or not you intend to enroll. Your next step is then to register for SOAR (student orientation, advising & registration) and register for classes. The only deposit you have to pay is for on-campus housing. You will pay that deposit at the time that you submit your housing application online.

9. I'm afraid that I'll have a hard time making friends, getting good grades, and just making the most out of my college experience. What is one thing that makes the transition to freshman college life smooth, successful, and rewarding?

Many students venture away from home for the first time when they move to college. One suggestion is to make friends with your roommates, hall mates, and other people around you. Get involved...Join an organization that interests you. You will meet so many new people. Studies have shown that students who get involved on campus are more successful and enjoy their college experience more so than those who don’t get involved. Another suggestion is to brush up on your time management skills. Time management is key in college, and once you have that figured out, everything else will fall into place…studying, making good grades, and having fun!

10. Does the school consider weighted or unweighted GPA for incoming freshmen?

Decisions are on based on high school performance (80%) and test scores (20%). Admissions will look at the following:

• The difficulty of academic courses in grades 9-11.
• Our own weighted system for honors or advanced courses.
• The actual (unweighted) grades you earned in academic courses.
• Your academic courses in progress for your senior year.
• The total of your highest critical reading, math, and writing SAT scores.

11. How much would it cost to attend UNC Charlotte if I lived in a freshman residence hall like Moore, took 15 credit hours, and got an average meal plan.

Well, let’s see. Tuition is $7,282 per semester; living in Moore Hall with a roommate is approximately $1,532 per semester. An average cost meal plan would run about $1,500 (this could be more or less depending on what meal plan you choose). Add approximately $500-$600 per semester for books, and the total is $22,000 per year to attend UNC Charlotte for out-of-state students. The office of financial aid can help you and your family find student loans, grants, and scholarships to finance the expense of your college education!

12. What are some advantages of living on campus and which housing facilities are the best?

There are many advantages to living on campus! Check out the following link where you can read more:

http://www.housing.uncc.edu/future/futr_advantages.htm

As for which residences are the best, it depends on what you’re looking for in a residence hall. If you prefer suite-style living, then you might want to look into the learning communities. If you’d prefer to live with all freshmen, one of the freshman experience high rises would be best. Whatever you choose, the residence halls will offer a unique and fun living environment.

13. How far away is UNC Charlotte from uptown?

14. If I do not have a personal vehicle what other modes of transportation off campus are available for students?

The Charlotte Transit System provides bus transportation from the Square in uptown Charlotte and from Southpark (via Eastland Mall and the apartment complexes along Barrington Drive). Service is provided on a regular schedule connecting with established routes throughout the city. Brochures containing detailed information regarding routes, schedules and TRAC passes may be obtained in the Traffic Office, or by calling the Charlotte Transit Authority at (704) 336-3366. You may also visit http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Home.htm. Fees are set by Charlotte Transit and are subject to change.

15. Because I am not a NC resident, the cost of tuition is more expensive. Are there off-campus jobs that are available, and if so, where would I find out about these opportunities?

The Job Location and Development (JLD) Program, locates and develops off-campus job opportunities in the local community. As an urban university, UNC Charlotte attracts local employers who need students to work on a part-time basis throughout the year. Positions include part-time, seasonal, temporary, and full-time positions not requiring a degree. The JLD program works to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between local employers and UNC Charlotte students. These off-campus jobs vary widely and include offices, banks, day cares, manufacturing firms, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and more. Hourly wage ranges from minimum wage to $15 an hour, averaging $9.50 an hour.

For more information about the Job Location and Development program, visit http://www.career.uncc.edu or come by the Career Center in 150 Atkins Building.

16. I’m not from North Carolina. Will there be other students like me coming from out of state?

Absolutely. For one, there are more than two thousand out-of-state undergraduate students on campus. For another, Charlotte is one of the most desirable destinations in the country with more than 80,000 people moving here each year. Many students who are NC residents are recent arrivals to the Charlotte area and have spent much of their lives in other states or countries. It’s also important to remember that traveling to and from Charlotte is easy with two major interstates and one of the busiest airports, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, being very convenient. So, the diversity is much richer than one might even expect.