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UNCW's most frequently asked questions (FAQs) by students at MCB Camp Lejeune, MCAS New River, and Coastal Carolina Community College:

What degree programs does UNCW offer and can I obtain my entire degree without leaving Onslow County?

The UNCW Onslow Extension Program offers three undergraduate (Elementary Education, Criminal Justice, and Nursing) and two graduate  (Elementary Education and Liberal Studies) degrees in Onslow County. UNCW works collaboratively with Coastal Carolina Community College. By attending both institutions, students may obtain their undergraduate degrees without leaving Onslow County. Students pursing either of the two master's degrees also may complete their degree without leaving the county. UNCW continually assesses the needs of military personnel and other members of the surrounding community and plans are underway to provide additional degree programs. Please click here to check for updates.

How do I learn more about using my Tuition Assistance (TA)?

To learn more about your tuition assistance benefits, visit the Education Office located aboard MCB Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The education counselors will explain the process of obtaining TA and review other benefits to which you are entitled.

I need help with Financial Aid and Veteran's Affairs. Whom do I contact for these services?

Financial Aid and Veterans Services counselors are located on UNCW's main campus in Wilmington. Each Onslow Extension student who needs services is assigned a counselor, and services are provided via phone, email, and on-site visits, if necessary. If you have questions, you may contact our office of Financial Aid and Veterans Services at (910) 962-3177.

What is the tuition rate at the UNCW Onslow Extension program and do military personnel and dependents pay in-state or out-of-state tuition rates?

Current Extension tuition rates may be found here. The 2006-2007 undergraduate in-state tuition is $88.23 per credit hour (including fees) for a total cost of $264.69 for one 3-credit course; graduate in-state tuition is $142.78 per credit hour (including fees) for a total cost of $428.34 for one 3-credit course. Active duty military personnel (and their dependents) who are stationed here qualify for in-state tuition.

Does UNCW offer both day and evening classes?

Yes, UNCW offers classes during the day, at night, and online. All of our graduate classes, to this point, have been offered in the evenings to accommodate our working, non-traditional graduate students. UNCW is committed to offering classes during hours that best meet the needs of our students.

Are UNCW faculty members flexible with regard to student's military work schedules?  What if my work requirements prevent me from being on-time or cause me to be absent from class?

All UNCW faculty members are acutely aware of the demands of active-duty military life and are willing to accommodate the unique needs/demands of military students. We recommend that you speak directly with your instructors and remain in close contact throughout the semester as issues arise.

How do I apply for a Stafford Loan, and which Stafford Loan is better: the subsidized or unsubsidized loan?

Your first step is to apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA form. Students should then either click here or contact our financial aid office via email or telephone (910-962-3177) to learn the exact procedure for applying for a Stafford Loan. Students often have questions about the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan. Some students prefer the subsidized loan because the federal government pays the interest while the student is pursuing his/her degree [Note: for unsubsidized loans, the federal government allows interest to accumulate while you are in school.] Once your FAFSA application has been processed, a financial aid counselor will be assigned to you. We recommend that you contact the financial aid office in Wilmington for detailed information.

When do we get our refunds for school?

Typically, if your financial aid package is complete and all required forms have been submitted to the Financial Aid office, you can expect your financial aid award on the first day of class. If you have specific questions about your award or account, either click here, contact your Financial Aid counselor, or call 910-962-3147.

Do UNCW and Coastal Carolina Community College (CCCC) have an articulation agreement that enables a seamless transition between the two institutions?

Yes! If you attend CCCC and obtain an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree, you will receive automatic admission to UNCW for the next available semester. If you obtain an AA or AS degree from CCCC and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better, all of UNCW's basic studies requirements are waived except the requirement for one semester of a foreign language.

How do I declare a minor or double major? How do I set up my UNCW email account? How do I register for classes?

All of these questions are answered during New Student Orientation each semester. The UNCW Onslow Extension Program reviews all of the services available to extension students during this 2 1/2-hour program. Moreover, each student receives registration information and on-site academic advising in all three Onslow County offices (Camp Lejeune, New River, and Coastal Carolina Community College). Our Extension staff provides hands-on, one-on-one assistance with any student issue that arises. After regular business hours, students may receive technical help by contacting the Technology Assistance Center at 910-962-HELP.

How do I get my textbooks?

The UNCW bookstore makes books available to students enrolled at the Onslow County site during new student orientation and on the first day of each academic semester. The books are brought to the Coastal Carolina Community College campus for sale. Book buy-backs are also conducted on these dates. Students also may pre-order books from the bookstore for delivery on these dates. Students may also travel to the main campus bookstore to purchase books.

What happens if I leave my current duty station?

Your degree programs go with you. UNCW is committed to working with service members and their families. Provided you remain active, you will retain the NC in-state tuition rate. UNCW is a SOCMAR/SOCNAV school, allowing for some flexibility in completing your program.

What if I am deployed?

Students who have scheduled upcoming deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that fall directly in the timeframe of a course are discouraged from taking the course. If the dates keep you out of the course for only a short while, you should contact your instructor before the start of the class to see what arrangements may be made to ensure you can complete the class successfully.

If you receive deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that unexpectedly interfere with a course, you should contact the campus and your instructor immediately. If your orders prevent you from contacting the school before you leave, we request that you contact the campus and the instructor as soon as you can. Our base education offices can assist you.

If, in such circumstances, you would like to complete the course from a distance, your instructor, in most cases, will make arrangements with you. If you do not complete the course by its end date, prior arrangements with your instructor may result in an "I" (incomplete) grade until you finish the course.

Will I need to visit the campus?

Students completing programs at the Onslow County Extension Program or online are not required to visit the main campus in Wilmington. All UNCW students, however, have the option of taking classes at the main campus in Wilmington.

May I start classes while I await my official transcripts?

Students beginning an undergraduate or graduate program must be fully admitted to their programs before taking classes. This typically requires the student to have submitted all official transcripts before taking classes. The only exception to this requirement is if a student is a visiting or non-degree-seeking student.

Do you have an advisor on site?

UNCW provides an Academic/Admissions Advisor at Coastal Carolina Community College to complete initial advising for transfer credit and program placement. Once you have been admitted into a program, you will be assigned a program advisor with whom you will consult before each registration period or when needed. Advisors for the Watson School of Education and College of Arts & Sciences (Criminal Justice) are available on-site in Jacksonville.

How much of my military and/or other college credit will transfer into your university?

UNCW can do an unofficial evaluation of your SMART transcript and your college transcripts. We do not need an official copy of these documents to perform this initial evaluation. The amount of transfer credit will depend on what courses you have taken and how they fit into the degree plan you have chosen. As a general rule, we accept 93 hours of transfer credit from a 4-year institution. We do not accept more than 64 hours from a community college or equivalent 2-year program.  If you have any further questions, speak with your academic advisor.

What CLEPs may I take and how do I take them? Are there study guides?

Information regarding CLEP testing and CLEP score requirements may be accessed here. 

Information on preparing for these courses is available here. 

CLEP tests may be taken at the Camp Lejeune Education Center—(910) 451-3091—or at the UNCW Testing Center in Wilmington—(910) 962-7444.

The MSgt. E.S. Moncrief Military Dependents Scholarship

To recognize the sacrifice that military dependents (spouses and children) make by supporting their active duty family members, UNCW has created a new scholarship program to serve this unique and under-recognized population.

The MSgt. E. S. Moncrief Scholarship was created on Nov. 10, 2006, to assist military dependents in their pursuit of higher education at UNC Wilmington and the university's satellite campuses. The scholarship was created in memory of Master Sergeant Edward S. "Big Ed" Moncrief, USAF (Retired) who served his country for over twenty years.

From the final days of the Berlin Airlift, through the Korean conflict and Vietnam War, MSgt. Moncrief served in both the Military Airlift Command and the Strategic Air Command as a mid-air refueling technician, or "boom-operator," on aircraft including the KB-29, the KC-97 and, his favorite, the KC-135 Stratotanker. As a member of the infamous "Young Tigers," MSgt. Moncrief performed hundreds of mid-air refuelings over Southeast Asia for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Allied aviators. He retired from the Air Force in 1969 and eventually settled in Wilmington, NC, where he lived until his death in 2003.

The scholarship is available to dependent spouses and children and the recipient is selected using the following criteria:

1st Choice: A dependent spouse of an active-duty military member currently stationed in North Carolina who demonstrates financial need.

2nd Choice: A dependent child of an active-duty military member currently stationed in North Carolina who demonstrates financial need.

The creation of this scholarship will offer donors an opportunity to specifically earmark their gifts to benefit this often overlooked segment of the military family.

The Moncriefs also hope this scholarship will spark veterans' organizations and their partners to create scholarships that will address the needs of enlisted military personnel and honorably discharged veterans. Despite funding available through to veterans via the G.I Bill and Military Tuition Assistance, there remains a critical need for incidental funding for the men, women, and children of our armed forces' families as they seek to enrich their lives through a college education.

At this time, spouses may not use their sponsor's military tuition assistance benefit. Please check with the Camp Lejeune Education Center for details for any future changes.

Military dependents are eligible for federal financial aid and are encouraged to apply for financial aid awards. By applying for this aid, students may determine the type and amount of aid for which they are eligible. Financial Aid and Veterans Services counselors are located on UNCW's main campus in Wilmington. Onslow County Extension students are assigned financial aid counselors and services are provided via phone, email, and on-site visits, if necessary. If you have quesions, click here or call the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Services at (910) 962-3177.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many questions you may have (such as about the NC military tuition policy) are answered on this website or on campus websites. University of North Carolina campuses that maintain education offices at Fort Bragg-East Carolina University (ECU), Fayetteville State University (FSU), and UNC Pembroke (UNCP) provide responses to frequently asked questions.

How many credit hours do I need to transfer to your university?

ECU

We do not offer lower level courses, so you should take as many general courses as possible at the community college level. We are affiliated with all of the North Carolina Community Colleges. Courses that are upper level (300-400) are offered in our online programs.

FSU

We do not offer lower level or "general education" courses at Ft. Bragg. We do offer lower level courses on the main campus, located eight miles from the Fort Bragg installation. Online classes also are available. Students also may complete remaining general education courses at a North Carolina community college, such as Fayetteville Technical Community College, with which we have articulation agreements for course transfer. Ft. Bragg center offers the upper level courses you need to complete your degree plan.

UNCP

We do not offer lower level or "general education" courses at Ft. Bragg. We offer some, but not all lower level courses online. Students are encouraged to complete any remaining general education courses at a North Carolina community college, such as Fayetteville Technical Community College, with which we have articulation agreements for course transfer. UNCP's Ft. Bragg center offers the upper level courses you need to complete your degree plan.

How do I apply for tuition assistance?

All soldiers must apply for tuition assistance via the GoArmyEd portal. Details are available at the education services office.

How do I register for classes?

To obtain tution assistance, students must register for classes via the GoArmyEd portal.  To ensure class availability, though, it is strongly recommended that students register through their schools.

Will tuition assistance cover the cost of books? Why do I have to pay for books?

In-state tuition for colleges and universities in the UNC system is considerably lower than for most private universities and colleges. We offer lower tuition which in the long run uses less of your tuition assistance. With that incentive, students pay for their books.

How do I get my textbooks?

ECU

Books may be purchased from the ECU bookstore or any other book exchange company. Your professor will give you details.

FSU

Books may be purchased at the bookstore at the Fort Bragg center, through the bookstore on the main campus, or online.

How are exams given for your programs?

Typically exams are given online but on some occasions (depending on the professor) you will need to locate a proctor to administer your exams. Proctors must be approved by the department.

What happens if I leave my current duty station?

Your degree programs go with you. As long as you are continuously enrolled, you will receive in-state tuition rates. As long as you have Internet access, you will be able to continue to take courses in your degree program. We are committed to working with service members and their families. UNC campuses at Fort Bragg are SOCAD schools, allowing for some flexibility in completing your program.

What if I am deployed?

Students who have scheduled upcoming deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that fall directly in the timeframe of a course are discouraged from taking courses. If the dates keep you out of the course for only a short while, you should contact your instructor before the start of the class to see what arrangements may be made to ensure you can complete the class successfully.

If you receive deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that unexpectedly interfere with a course, you should contact the campus and your instructor immediately. If your orders prevent you from contacting the school before you leave, we request that you notify the campus and the instructor as soon as you can. Our base education offices can assist you.

If, in such circumstances, you would like to complete the course from a distance, your instructor, in most cases, will make arrangements with you. If you do not complete the course by its end-date, prior arrangements with the instructor may result in an "I" (incomplete) grade, which remains on your student record until you finish the course. The Army requires "I" grades to be replaced with approved letter grades within a 6 month period, or you may be responsible for the cost of the course. In these actions, the Army will recoup the cost through Army Finance. In the instance of Air Force personnel, the time frame is one year.

If you cannot complete the course due to your military duties, or in the very rare instance that the instructor feels you cannot complete the course successfully at a distance, you should request a drop/withdrawal due to military waiver. This can be done via the GoArmyEd portal. The campus will require a memo from your unit verifying your military circumstances. Students with approved military waivers are not required to cover the cost of the course.

Will I need to visit the campus?

ECU and FSU: There are a limited number of programs that require campus visitation. When you search for online programs on this website using the "Search Assist" feature, if you cannot or do not wish to visit the campus, specify programs that do not require campus visits.

UNCP: Students completing programs at Ft. Bragg or online are not required to visit campus. All UNCP students, however, may take classes at any UNCP location, including the main campus at Pembroke, our Sandhills Community College center, and our Richmond Community College center.

May I start classes while I await my official transcripts?

ECU/FSU: Yes, you may apply as a non-degree-seeking student while you await your official transcripts. Non-degree-seeking students are allowed to take courses as soon as their applications are processed. Once your application is completed, you will be required to contact the admissions office to change your application to degree-seeking status.

UNCP: Students beginning an undergraduate program must be fully admitted to their programs before taking classes. This typically requires students to have submitted all official transcripts before taking classes. Students beginning a graduate program should contact the graduate school for consideration. Students who do not have a completed graduate application packet may be admitted on a probationary bases with consultation with the UNCP School of Graduate Studies.

Do you have an advisor on site?

ECU: Once you are accepted to the university, you will be assigned an academic advisor. Your advisor is someone who is within your program's department. This is beneficial to you because the professionals in your department can better help you achieve your educational goals.

FSU: FSU provides an administrative coordinator at the Ft. Bragg center to complete initial advising for transfer credit and program placement. Once you have been admitted into a program, you will be assigned a program advisor with whom you will consult before each registration period or when needed.

UNCP: UNCP provides a campus administrative coordinator at UNCP's Ft. Bragg center to complete initial advising for transfer credit and program placement. Once you have been admitted into a program, you will be assigned a program advisor with whom you will consult before each registration period or when needed.

How much of my military and/or other college credit will transfer to your university?

UNCP: UNCP can do an unofficial evaluation of your AARTS transcript and of your college transcripts. We do not need an official copy of these documents to do this. The amount of transfer credit will depend on what courses you have taken and how they fit into the degree plan you have chosen. As a general rule, we accept 90 hours of transfer credit but we do not accept more than 60 hours from a community college, unless you have completed an AA or AS from a North Carolina community college, in which case the maximum transfer credit is 64 hours.

What CLEPs may I take and how do I take them? Are there study guides?

UNCP: UNCP accepts a number of CLEP exams that meet some or your general education requirements. This list can be found on page 60 of our catalog. (We keep copies of this page in our office to give to students.)

Information on preparing for these courses is available here.

You may also request information from the Army testing center or your local library.

MCAS Cherry Point & Naval Readiness Center East

Frequently Asked Questions

Many questions you may have (such as about the NC military tuition policy) are answered on this website. Other general responses to frequently asked questions are provided below.

What happens if I leave my current duty station?

Your degree programs go with you. As long as you are continuously enrolled, you will receive in-state tuition rates. As long as you have Internet access, you will be able to continue to take courses in your degree program. We are committed to working with service members and their families. 

What if I am deployed?

Students who have scheduled upcoming deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that fall directly in the timeframe of a course are discouraged from taking courses. If the dates keep you out of the course for only a short while, you should contact the instructor before the start of the class to see what arrangements may be made to ensure you can complete the class successfully.

If you receive deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that unexpectedly interfere with a course, you should contact the campus and your instructor immediately. If your orders prevent you from contacting the school before you leave, we request that you contact the campus and the instructor as soon as you can. Our base education offices can assist you.

If, in such circumstances, you would like to complete the course from a distance, the instructor will, in most cases, make arrangements with you. If you do not complete the course by its end-date, prior arrangements with the instructor may result in an "I" (incomplete) grade, which remains on your student record until you finish the course. In such cases, the Army requires the "I" grade to be replaced with an approved letter grade within a 6-month period, or else you may be held responsible for the cost of the course.

If you feel you cannot complete your course due to your military duties, or in the very rare instance that the instructor feels you cannot complete the course successfully at a distance, you should request a drop/withdrawal due to military waiver.

Will I need to visit the campus?

A limited number of programs require campus visitation. When you search for online programs on this website using the "Search Assist" feature, if you cannot or wish not to vist the campus, specify programs that do not require a campus visit.

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Many questions you may have (such as about the NC military tuition policy) are answered on this website. Other general responses to frequently asked questions are provided below.

What happens if I leave my current duty station?

Your degree programs go with you. As long as you are continuously enrolled, you will qualify for in-state tuition rates. As long as you have Internet access, you will be able to continue to take courses in your degree program. We are committed to working with service member and their families.

What if I am deployed?

Students who have scheduled upcoming deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that fall directly in the timeframe of a course are discouraged from taking courses. If the dates keep you out of the course for only a short while, you should contact the instructor before the start of the class to see what arrangements may be made to ensure you can complete the class successfully.

If you receive deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that unexpectedly interfere with a course, you should contact the campus and your instructor immediately. If your orders prevent you from contacting the school before you leave, we request that you contact the campus and your instructor as soon as you can. Our base education offices can assist you.

If, in such circumstances, you would like to complete the course from a distance, your instructor, in most cases, will make arrangements with you. If you do not complete the course by its end-date, prior arrangements with the instructor may result in an "I" (incomplete) grade until you finish the course. Remember that the Army requires the "I" grade to be replaced with an approved letter grade within a 6-month period or you may be responsible for the cost of the course.

If you cannot complete the course due to your military duties, or in the very rare instance that the instructor feels you cannot complete the course successfully at a distance, you should request a drop/withdrawal due to military waiver.

Will I need to visit the campus?

A limited number of programs require campus visitation. When you search for online programs on this website using the "Search Assist" feature, specify programs that do not require a campus visit.

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City

Frequently Asked Questions

Many questions you may have (such as about the NC military tuition policy) are answered on this website. Other general responses to frequently asked questions are provided below.

What happens if I leave my current duty station?

Your degree programs go with you. As long as you are continuously enrolled, you will receive in-state tuition rates. As long as you have Internet access, you will be able to continue to take courses in your degree program. We are committed to working with service member and their families. 

What if I am deployed?

Students who have scheduled upcoming deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that fall directly in the timeframe of a course are discouraged from taking the course. If the dates keep you out of the course for only a short while, you should contact your instructor before the start of class to see what arrangements may be made to ensure you can complete the course successfully. 

If you receive deployment, TDY, or training exercise dates that unexpectedly interfere with a course, you should contact the campus and your instructor immediately. If you orders prevent you from contacting the school before you leave, we request that you contact the campus and the instructor as soon as you can. Our base education offices can assist you.

If, in such circumstances, you would like to complete the course from a distance, your instructor, in most cases, will make arrangements with you. If you do not complete the course by its end-date, prior arrangements with the instructor may result in an "I" (incomplete) grade until the course is completed. Remember that the Army requires the "I" grade to be replaced with an approved letter grade within a 6-month period, or you may be responsible for the cost of the course.

If you feel you cannot complete a course due to your military duties, or in the very rare instance that the instructor feels you cannot complete the course successfully at a distance, you should request a drop/withdrawal due to military waiver.

Will I need  to visit the campus?

A limited number of programs require campus visitation. When you search for online programs on this website using the "Search Assist" feature, if you cannot or do not wish to visit the campus, specify programs that do not require a campus visit.

Students admitted to The University of North Carolina's online programs learn the same material and benefit from the same high-quality educational experience as campus-based students. Online classes are designed and taught by the same faculty who teach classes in on-campus programs.  When you graduate from a UNC institution, no distinction is made between online or on-campus credits.  Your degree is from UNC. 

Online and campus experiences are not identical. Students certainly benefit from being immersed in the rich learning environment available on campus. But online learning provides ample opportunities for students to interact with instructors and fellow students and has the advantage of being flexible and convenient,. Many students prefer online learning, citing, among other things, a greater willingness to express their views to instructors and classmates.

Your online classmates will generally be like you—people with job and family responsibilities who seeking the many benefits of higher education. Faculty members who teach online students frequently praise the high motivation, keen interest, and excellent study habits of "non-traditional" students.

Online classes are not "canned" or "cookie cutter" experiences. Each online course reflects the teaching perspective of the faculty member who designed it and teaches it, and employs technology and learning experiences appropriate to the course content. As instructors transform their classroom courses for the online environment, they often make content revisions that they susequently incorporate into their on-campus classes.

On-campus or online, The University of North Carolina is dedicated to maintaining the academic excellence for which it has been known for more than two centuries.

The following self-assessment, adapted from an East Carolina University document, will help you decide whether distance education is the right choice for you. In addition, several other online self-assessments and recommendations developed at University of North Carolina campuses may be viewed at the distance education sites listed on the "About Online Learning" tab.

Self-Assessment Check List

1. I have good reading and writing skills.
2. I feel comfortable expressing my ideas, comments, and questions in writing.
3. I will find out whether my program requires attendance at any class meetings held at designated times, via the computer, or on campus. I will assess whether I can meet these obligations.
4. If my program provides little face-to-face interaction through video technologies or campus visits, I feel that I have the self-discipline needed to learn without this type of interaction with my instructor and course mates.
5. I have an interest in developing "virtual" partnerships with faculty members and course mates. I recognize that these partnerships might rely on an array of communications methods—for example, email, web discussion spaces, instant messaging, and even the old-fashioned telephone.
6. I am willing to dedicate the same amount of time and effort to a distance education course that I would to a classroom-based course.
7. I have the necessary time-management skills to enable me to balance distance education coursework with my professional and personal responsibilities.
8. I am able to meet deadlines and keep track of my assignments when using the postal service or on-line file transmission.
9. I have or can obtain access to the necessary hardware and software required by my program.
10. I feel comfortable using technology to complete my coursework, and if I am unfamiliar with the hardware and software used in my program, I feel comfortable learning it with the support provided.

The quality of online courses and programs is extremely important to the faculty and administration of the sixteen campuses of The University of North Carolina. We strive to achieve the highest level of instructional quality and student satisfaction in all our online offerings. Our online offerings adhere to several external standards of quality.

1. All sixteen institutions in The University of North Carolina are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  SACS is one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the National Board of Education.  Earning college credit from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency is the surest way to have your college credit recognized and accepted by employers and other universities. SACS has quality standards for distance education programs that all courses and programs affiliated with The University of North Carolina Online must follow. 
2. Many of our programs and departments are individually accredited by discipline-specific accrediting agencies. We encourage students to inquire of their prospective programs about program-level accreditation.
3. The University of North Carolina endorses the Southern Regional Education Board's (SREB's) Principles of Good Practice. A consortium of the K-20 educational systems of the sixteen southeastern states, SREB works with state governments and other stakeholders to improve teaching and learning. 
   
4. The UNC Online Quality Workgroup, comprising representatives from all campuses, works in partnership with The UNC Faculty Assembly to continuously update campuses on best practices in online teaching and learning. Through the work of this group, all UNC institutions have documented the processes and policies they use to ensure that online courses are of the highest quality.

If you are located in North Carolina, you will pay a tuition rate that is comparable to the tuition rate you would pay on campus, either as a North Carolina resident or an out-of-state student. You may obtain more information by clicking on the "tuition" links provided with each online program description. If you are a distance education student who is not enrolled in on-campus classes, you will not be charged certain fees that apply only to on-campus students. You will receive more information about these policies when you contact the program in which you are interested. If you are a non-North Carolina resident living outside of North Carolina, you will pay a tuition rate established by the program to cover its costs of instruction. Rates vary by program. Check with the program in which you are interested for more information.

• If you are on active duty military and stationed in North Carolina, you qualify for in-state tuition.
• If you have dependents living with you while you are stationed in North Carolina, these individuals also qualify for in-state tuition. This is a wonderful opportunity for your spouse to further his or her education or for your children to enroll in one of the best higher education systems in the nation at a bargain cost.
• If you are enrolled in a UNC or community college program and you are transferred out of state, you remain eligible for the in-state tuition rate as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the degree program. (This is one reason why you may want to consider an online program, which would make it easy for you to continue taking classes even if you are transferred.)
• If your dependents are enrolled in a UNC or community college program and you are transferred out of state, they remain eligible for the in-state tuition rate as long as they remain continuously enrolled in the degree program.
• If you or your dependents are enrolled in a UNC or community college program and you separate from the military or retire while you are stationed in NC, you and your dependents remain eligible for the in-state tuition rate as long as you take the steps necessary to make NC your legal residence within a year.

Click here to review the full text of the North Carolina military tuition statute.

Faculty and staff of The University of North Carolina may take up to three courses per year tuition-free (including online courses).  Regulations on this benefit may be viewed at this site as a .pdf document.  The Human Resources office of your institution will have a form for you to complete to request authorization for the tuition waiver.  Complete this form and submit it along with the required course application (described for each course in the Courses section) to the campus offering the course in which you are interested.

Tuition waivers are also available for North Carolina residents at least 65 years old and for certain family of deceased or disabled emergency workers.  Regulations on this benefit may be viewed at this site as a .pdf document.  When you find a course that you are interested in taking, contact the Human Resources office of the institution to obtain the appropriate tuition waiver form.

If you need help or more information than is provided on this website about credit transfers, applications procedures, or admissions, please contact representatives of the programs or institutions to which you are considering applying; they are best able to answer your questions. Contact information may be accessed via the “16 Campuses” and “Programs” tabs at the top of this page.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this website, you were unable to get an answer from the program or institution, or you just don’t know who to ask, please use the Contact Us Web Form or you can call our toll free helpdesk phone line at: 866.236.2674.

Why should you and your family consider enrolling in UNC degree programs rather than one of the many other on-base and online degree programs that are available? Here are some points for you to think about:

Cost

UNC and community college in-state tuition rates are available to you. North Carolina's in-state tuition rates, both for UNC and community colleges, are some of the lowest in the nation  This is a huge advantage for military personnel trying to stretch military tuition assistance or personal dollars.

Convenience

You may enroll in a degree program offered on a campus, off-campus at a location near you—including your base—or online. Regardless of which program you choose, the resources of the entire campus are available to you as well as resources such as library access that are available to you system-wide.

Support

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way in your online studies with appropriate academic advising, technological assistance, library access, admissions procedures, faculty interaction, and tuition payment processing.

Accreditation

All UNC institutions are accredited by a regional accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The regional accreditation process is the primary way that quality is ensured in U.S. higher education.  Many institutions will not accept transfer credit from organizations that do not have such accreditation.

Quality

All UNC online degree programs adhere to standards and principles that ensure a high quality online educational experience. For instance, UNC online programs adhere to the Principles of Good Practice advocated by the Southern Regional Education Board's Electronic Campus.

Choice

You may choose from over 150 online degree and certificate programs available from UNC institutions, making your selection based on the degree program and campus that is the best match for you.

Careers

UNC online degree programs focus on career advancement areas, both in the military and in civilian life. You may choose baccalaureate completion programs in teaching, business, technology, computer science, nursing, criminal justice, and other areas. Graduate level online degree programs are available in the high-demand areas of business, technology, education, and health sciences, where advanced degrees are increasingly necessary.

Reputation

A degree from a University of North Carolina institution will be respected not only in North Carolina—which is where we hope you will make your home—but also throughout the nation. You can take great pride in receiving your degree from one of the most respected university systems in the world.

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