UNC Chapel Hill Scholarships for International Students

Can anyone share insights on what scholarships are available for international students at UNC Chapel Hill? I'm exploring options for financial aid but I'm unsure about the support UNC offers for undergrads from abroad.

At UNC Chapel Hill, as an international student, you'll primarily be considered for need-based aid, not merit-based scholarships. UNC is one of the few public universities in the U.S. that practices a meet-full-need policy, which means they promise to cover 100% of a student's demonstrated financial need through a combination of grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities, both federal and institutional.

As an international student, you're required to submit the College Board's CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE to determine your eligibility for financial aid. This becomes available on October 1 and should be completed as soon as possible.

It's worth noting that your eligibility for need-based aid will be considered as part of the admissions process, even though UNC Chapel Hill practices need-blind admissions for domestic students. However, international students admitted to UNC generally have strong financial need covered by the university.

It's also important to note that the definition of "need" varies from school to school and may not match your own definition. To get a more accurate estimate of what you'll be expected to contribute financially to your education at UNC, I recommend using UNC's Net Price Calculator and substituting 'EFC' with 'SAI'.

Apart from these, there could be additional scholarships available through third-party organizations or from your home country. You'll need to seek those out independently.

Remember that financial aid for international students at U.S. colleges is often very competitive, so it's important to apply to a balanced list of schools and consider your financial options at each one.