1. Financial Aid & Loans
  2. Applying for Financial Aid
  3. FAFSA

FAFSA

It is important to get started early with this process.  Please complete the steps below by these deadlines to ensure maximum financial aid consideration.

What is the FAFSA?

  • FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid and can be completed online.
  • At UNC Charlotte, the FAFSA is the only application required for Federal, State, or Institutional grants, work-study or loans for Fall and Spring term financial aid.

The UNC Charlotte FAFSA school code is 002975.

4 steps to complete your FAFSA

  1. Create an FSA ID. View instructions on how to create your FSA ID.
  2. Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. Our school code is 002975.
    • If you complete and submit your FAFSA by Jan. 1, you will receive your award decision by Mar 1.
    • If you complete and submit your FAFSA by Mar. 1, you will receive your award decision by Apr 15.
    • If you complete and submit your FAFSA after Mar. 1, you will receive your award decision as funds are available.
  3. You will need your parent/guardian’s income tax information to complete the FAFSA. 
  4. View additional information regarding the financial aid process at UNC Charlotte.

TIP: Avoid these 11 Common FAFSA Mistakes

In order to be eligible for any form of federal, state, or institutional financial aid, you must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (see the Government's Student Aid website for information on who qualifies as an eligible non-citizen)
  2. You must have a valid social security number.
  3. You must be admitted into a degree-seeking program. You may apply for aid before you are admitted but you must be admitted before aid can be awarded or disbursed to you.
  4. If you are a male of at least 18 years of age, you must be registered with selective service.
  5. To retain eligibility you must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  6. To receive aid at UNC Charlotte, you must be enrolled at least 1/2 time (6 credit hours for undergraduate - 3 credit hours for graduate).
  • Once your FAFSA is processed by the government, you will have access to a Student Aid Report (SAR), either through an online summary of the online application process, or through a printed document mailed to you if you apply using paper FAFSA.
  • It's important that you check your SAR for accuracy, and respond to any comments or notices posted by the federal processor on the Student Aid Report.
  • The federal processor sometimes needs additional data before the application can be considered complete – comments on the Student Aid Report will guide you through the process.
  • UNC Charlotte will notify you if any additional documents are required for completion of your financial aid application by posting requirements to your My UNC Charlotte. Make sure that the student’s name and Student ID are on all documents submitted.
  • Once UNC Charlotte has received your FAFSA and you have been officially admitted to the university, we will notify you by email that your Financial Aid offer has been posted in your My UNC Charlotte Account. Follow these instructions for reviewing and accepting your aid.