Guaranteed Tuition

Effective Fall 2016, undergraduate students seeking a baccalaureate degree at UNC-Chapel Hill may qualify for the guaranteed tuition program pursuant to the North Carolina General Statute § 116-143.9 and UNC Policy 1000.17, Policy for the Tuition Guarantee Program. This program provides a fixed tuition benefit to certain undergraduate students with established in-state residency classification for tuition purposes.

The fixed tuition benefit applies to tuition charges only. All other fees and charges are not fixed, and may increase during the student’s fixed tuition time period.

Guaranteed Tuition Guidelines

Click the link to learn more about guaranteed tuition guidelines

Student Eligibility for Guaranteed Tuition

1. First-Time Students
   For first-time students at constituent institutions, the fixed tuition time period shall be for a maximum of eight (8) consecutive semesters for a four-year program and ten (10) consecutive semesters for a five-year program, regardless of the number of credits earned, not including summer semesters. Students must be continuously enrolled in order to maintain eligibility.
2. Currently Enrolled Students
   Students who are currently enrolled at a constituent institution on the effective date of the fixed tuition policy (fall 2016 term) shall receive fixed tuition for a prorated time period based on the maximum length of their program, as described in section A, above, less the number of semesters they have already accrued at their current institution, and less the number of semester-equivalent transfer hours they have had accepted by their current institutions, if any.
3. Transfer Students
   Transfer students shall receive fixed tuition for a prorated time based on the maximum length of their program, as described in section A, above, less the number of semester-equivalent transfer credit hours the receiving institution accepts.
4. Students Reclassified as a Resident for Tuition Purposes
   Out-of-state students who are reclassified as “resident for tuition purposes” after their initial enrollment, will be eligible for the fixed tuition benefit starting the term in which the residency reclassification takes effect. Such students will have the balance of their fixed tuition time period prorated based on section B, above.
5. Students Who Withdraw from Classes.
   1. If a student withdraws from all classes before the date of census, that student will
      be deemed to have broken continuous enrollment.
   2. Students who break continuous enrollment and then re-enroll at the same institution will be granted fixed tuition based on the current tuition rate, for a prorated fixed tuition time period calculated pursuant to subsection B, above.
   3. If a student withdraws from all classes after the date of census, and then re-enrolls the following semester (not including summer semesters) , the student will not be deemed to have broken continuous enrollment, and may re-enroll at the same fixed tuition rate. The semester during which the student withdrew will be counted against the student’s fixed tuition time period unless a waiver is granted.

Fixed Tuition Cohorts

Fixed tuition cohorts refer to the tuition rate applied to students eligible for the Guaranteed Tuition Program. For example, eligible students entering in Fall of 2016 are in the 16/17 Cohort as long as they maintain eligibility. Students can see their cohort and eligibility status in the ConnectCarolina Student Center finances section.

If you have questions related to tuition rates, please contact the Cashier’s Office at cashier@unc.edu.

Guaranteed Tuition Waiver

Students who have a break in enrollment and re-enroll at their original constituent institution may seek a waiver to allow them to retain their original fixed tuition rate. Additionally, students who withdraw from all classes after the date of census and subsequently re-enroll may seek a waiver to prevent the semester during which they withdrew from counting against their fixed tuition time period.

The grounds for granting a waiver are identical to the grounds for waiver from the tuition surcharge, as described in Section 1000.1.5[R] of the UNC Policy Manual:

1. military service obligation,
2. serious medical debilitation,
3. short-term or long-term disability, or
4. other extraordinary hardship.

Guaranteed Tuition Waiver Form and Submission

Please use the following form:
https://unc-ch.formstack.com/forms/guaranteed_tuition_waiver_form

General Administration Guaranteed Tuition FAQ

UNC General Administration FAQs: https://www.northcarolina.edu/Prospective-Students/Fixed-Tuition-Program

You may contact registrar@unc.edu if you are a UNC-Chapel Hill student and have additional questions regarding your eligibility for the Guaranteed Tuition Program.