Financing Your Education
Your education is a powerful investment in your potential and future success. Take a look at tuition and fees at UNC Charlotte, and see how affordable achieving your goals can be. With the right planning, your graduate degree is within reach — let us help you get there.
Fund Your Future
Funding your graduate education is possible at UNC Charlotte. In this video, learn more about funding opportunities available to graduate students and discover resources to help explore options.
Tuition Support
The Graduate School provides full tuition support for the majority of doctoral students who hold an eligible graduate assistantship via the Graduate Assistant Support Program (GASP). Additionally, a small number of exemplary master's students obtain one or two years of (partial) tuition grants.
Tuition Support Process
- You will apply to a UNC Charlotte graduate program of your choosing.
- The Graduate Program Director (GPD) recommends the applicant for admission to the Graduate School and then the Graduate School extends an offer of admission.
- The Graduate Program Director (GPD) recommends students for funding to the Graduate School.
- Students with offers of admission/funding must accept their awards by April 15th in alignment with the April 15 Resolution (“National Signing Day”).
UNC Charlotte is a participant in the April 15 Resolution (“National Signing Day”). The Graduate School will not remove any offers of funding before April 15th. Please accept your offers of funding before April 16th. After that date, UNC Charlotte will remove unaccepted offers and provide them to other students.
Register for a Funding Information Session
If you have additional questions regarding funding your graduate education, attending a virtual information session is a great place to start.
Assistantships & Employment
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistants (GAs) receive financial support for their contributions to the teaching and research missions of the University. Graduate students enrolled full-time (nine or more hours per semester) may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year.
The GA role is very different from other forms of employment; however, due to the kind of work they do, the quality of supervision they receive and the outcomes they achieve.
Graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs) who serve as the Instructor of Record (IOR) for a course must have a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline.
Resident tuition may be paid for master’s students who are enrolled full-time and hold an eligible teaching assistantship. The funding includes up to two years of resident tuition support.
Other University policies on GAs are located in the Graduate School’s policy section.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Graduate School allows graduate assistants, TAs or RAs, to work up to 20 hours/week during the academic year, and 40 hours per week during the summer if not enrolled. If enrolled in the summer, students may work up to 20 hours per week. New students who begin their studies in the summer may hold a 20-hour-per-week assistantship and must enroll (part-time for domestic students and full-time for new international students).
The student’s academic department hires most GAs. Stipends, responsibilities, selection criteria, application and notification procedures vary from department to department, so contact your Graduate Program Director for additional information on available assistantships.
On-Campus Employment
Jobs are posted on Hire-A-Niner. Hire-A-Niner is your go-to source for all University job postings designed specifically for students. Whether you’re seeking a graduate assistantship, a part-time student temporary position, a Federal Work-Study job or a unique “GigTernship”, you’ll find a variety of opportunities right here.
We encourage you to check the Hire-A-Niner site frequently, as new positions are posted throughout the year. Don’t miss out on your chance to gain valuable experience and earn income while studying!
Full-time, permanent EPA (Exempt from the State Personnel Act ) and SPA (Subject to the State Human Resources Act) UNC Charlotte employees may be eligible for tuition waivers or reimbursements. More information can be found on the Human Resources website.
Off-Campus Employment
The University Career Center (UCC) publishes off-campus opportunities on Hire-A-Niner and offers other career services. The Career Center is located in the Atkins Library Annex.
Already have a job? Many employers offer tuition benefits for individuals seeking to further their education. Be sure to check with your supervisor to see if your company offers employee educational assistance programs.
Fellowships & Awards
NinerScholars
NinerScholars is UNC Charlotte’s online scholarship application portal that matches new and continuing students to scholarships. New graduate students must be accepted and activate their NinerNET account to apply for scholarships.
Fellowships
Summer Fellowships
The Graduate School offers competitive fellowships for summer funding. Applications are due each March through the funding application portal and are reviewed by faculty. Summer fellowships are based on the availability of funding.
Conference Expenses
When additional funding is available, graduate students who have been selected to present at a scholarly conference may apply for a $1,500 scholarship to help with expenses. The Graduate School has provided up to $120,000 on conference expenses. When available, opportunities will be posted in the funding application portal.
Graduate Fellowships
Each spring, the Graduate School administers fellowships to outstanding UNC Charlotte graduate students for the upcoming academic year. The fellowships below are available to UNC Charlotte students only.
- JOANNA R. BAKER MEMORIAL GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
A $3,000 grant plus a $750 travel allowance for new or continuing master’s or doctoral mathematical, computer science or information technology research. - CRAIG R. BROWN GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
$2,000 grant plus NC resident tuition for a first-year U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident master’s or doctoral student conducting research to address societal issues. - DRReaM GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
$1,000 needs-based award for a continuing master’s or doctoral student in a health-related program. - LUCILLE P. AND EDWARD C. GILES DISSERTATION-YEAR GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
$20,000, tuition and fees, health insurance and $1,000 for travel for a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident doctoral student in the STEM disciplines. - FAYE JACQUES MEMORIAL GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
$1,000 needs-based grant to a continuing master’s or doctoral student. - JOHN PAUL LUCAS, JR. SCHOLARSHIP FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
$1,000 scholarship for a new or continuing master’s student pursuing a degree in English or English Education. - CLAUDIA M. REYNOLDS GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
$1,000 award for continuing non-traditional master’s or doctoral students. - THOMAS L. REYNOLDS GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARD
Up to $1,500 for continuing master’s or doctoral students to assist with costs often overlooked in other funding sources. - ZONTA CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
$1,000 grant for new US resident master’s or doctoral students.
Graduate Program Director Nomination Only Awards
- WAYLAND H. CATO JR. FIRST-YEAR DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
GPD Nominated. $18,500, tuition and health insurance for a newly admitted doctoral student. - HERSCHEL AND CORNELIA EVERETT FOUNDATION FIRST-YEAR GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
GPD Nominated. $14,000 for a newly admitted U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident master’s student, $18,500 for a newly admitted doctoral student, both plus tuition. Doctoral students also receive health insurance. - WILLIAM F. KENNEDY GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
GPD Nominated. Review criteria. $18,500, tuition and health insurance for a first-year doctoral student.
Apply through the Graduate School
- GRADUATE DEAN’S DISTINGUISHED DISSERTATION AWARD
Presented by the Graduate School to recognize outstanding research and scholarship by a doctoral student at UNC Charlotte. - OUTSTANDING MASTER’S THESIS AWARD
The Master’s Thesis Award is awarded to a student based on clarity of style and presentation, scholarship, research methodology and contributions to the field or discipline.
Apply through the Thomas L. Reynolds Center for Graduate Life and Learning
- OUTSTANDING GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT AWARD
The award recognizes master’s and doctoral students nominated by faculty supervisors for their outstanding and innovative teaching techniques. - THREE-MINUTE THESIS COMPETITION
Originating at the University of Queensland, Australia, 3MT® challenges graduate students to condense their graduate body of work into a clear and engaging three-minute presentation supported by only one static overhead slide.
External Funding
The following resources are designed to help you better understand the funding resources available from external sources. These opportunities do not require students to repay the money, which makes the awards quite competitive. The Graduate School's funding team can help you learn, identify and apply for funding to support your education.
Competitive Funding Sources
A wide variety of public and private resources are available to help you find funding for graduate education. Here are selected ones:
- PIVOT-RP – UNC Charlotte licensed funding resource with more than $118 billion in funding available. Learn more and gain access from the Research & Economic Development funding databases.
- For Master’s Students – Scholarships and training opportunities from IBP
- For Doctoral Students – Scholarships and training opportunities from IBP
- For Summer or Travel Fellowships – Scholarships and training opportunities from IBP
- ARMACAD – Scholarships, summer schools, conferences, summer schools and more
- Grants.gov – Collection of funding resources sponsored by the U.S. Government
- AAAS Science “Where to Search for Funding” from Science Magazine
- Graduate and Postdoctoral funding source database from UCLA
Travel Funding
- Travel funding is available through the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG).
Financial Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Applying for financial aid is an action you can take before you are admitted to Charlotte and we encourage you to start applying for financial aid as soon as possible. For more information, visit Niner Central.
Aid Year
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to apply for any type of financial aid, such as federal grants, loans and work-study.
Forgivable Education Loans for Service
Established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011, the Forgivable Education Loans for Service provides financial assistance to qualified students enrolled in an approved education program and committed to working in critical employment shortage professions in North Carolina.
Tuition and Fees
Niner Central Tuition & Fees
Niner Central is the best place to find a breakdown of tuition and fees associated with your graduate education. There are also several convenient ways to contact Niner Central for questions or assistance.
Cost Calculator
Use our Cost Calculator to get a clear picture of the estimated costs for UNC Charlotte’s graduate programs. Share your information to receive tips, updates, and resources on making your graduate education more affordable.
Funding FAQs
How much does it cost to attend graduate school?
- Niner Central is the best source for information about tuition and fees. Under “Graduate”, the table explains payment by credit hour and the North Carolina Resident vs. Non-North Carolina Resident tuition rates. Be sure to read below the table to see if your program has a special tuition increment.
How can I finance graduate school?
- There are several funding sources available to graduate students. We encourage you to learn more about the different funding options available on the ‘Afford’ webpage.
Are there on-campus job opportunities?
- Hourly employment can be found at Hire-a-Niner. You may work up to 29 hours per week in an hourly, temporary job. International students may work a maximum of 20 hours per week.
How do I apply for tuition support from the Graduate School?
- Apply to a graduate program at UNC Charlotte. If you are offered admission, the Graduate Program Director may either provide funding support that includes tuition support for you and/or nominate you for tuition support from the Graduate School.
What is the likelihood I receive funding for graduate school?
- All full-time doctoral students with an eligible assistantship will receive tuition support and the health insurance premium from the Graduate School (GASP). Doctoral students have a maximum of ten semesters of eligibility, starting with their admit term. Advanced standing doctoral students have a maximum of eight semesters of eligibility.
- Less than 10% of master’s students obtain tuition support from the Graduate School.
Where can I find the funding that I have been awarded from UNC Charlotte?
- Log in to the Electronic Graduate Payment System (eGPS) to view your funding from all sources, including student loans and assistantships.