Students who participate in approved programs abroad and who will receive the UNC Charlotte equivalent of full-time academic credit for the term of their experience abroad are eligible to put their financial aid towards their study abroad expenses. Additionally, students may be eligible to apply for scholarships specifically for study abroad through UNC Charlotte Education Abroad, other departments at UNC Charlotte, or through external organizations.
Financial Aid Options
Grants, scholarships, and loans are the different aid options available for study abroad. Eligibility and amounts for each type of aid will vary by student. Please refer to Niner Central's website to learn more about applying for financial aid.
Grants
Students do not apply for grants (e.g. Federal Pell Grant). Grants are automatically added to the student's account if they have submitted a FASFA and are eligible to receive one.
Loans
Students who apply for financial aid may be offered to take out loans (federal or alternative/private loans) as part of their award.
Please visit Niner Central's Financial Aid page to learn more about the different types of aid.
Financial Aid and Study Abroad
Scholarship Resources
NinerScholars Portal
The NinerScholars Portal is the one-stop shop for UNC Charlotte scholarship opportunities. Students can log in, create a profile, and the system will automatically match them with scholarships for which they may be eligible, including EA scholarships and other UNC Charlotte scholarships.
UNC Charlotte awards more than 1,600 scholarships each year to incoming freshman, transfer, undergraduate, and graduate students with outstanding academic accomplishments and demonstrated financial need. It is crucial that when students are matched with scholarships for which they are eligible, they read the requirements and usage guidelines carefully; there is no guarantee that scholarships administered by departments and colleges besides EA can be applied to study abroad.
EA Scholarships
Scholarships offered and managed by UNC Charlotte Education Abroad can be found in the NinerScholars Portal. Students will need to create a profile and apply for scholarships directly through the portal.
External Scholarships
External scholarships can come from a wide variety of sources including other UNC Charlotte departments and organizations unrelated to the University. Remember that external scholarships are not administered or awarded by UNC Charlotte Education Abroad, so we cannot answer questions about the application process, eligibility requirements, or awarding process.
OTHER TYPES OF FUNDING
In addition to utilizing financial aid and applying for scholarships, students are encouraged to consider fundraising on their own. EA does not endorse or recommend any particular company or organization, but students may consider fundraising websites and contacting local companies and organizations in the community to inquire if there are any scholarships, grants, or loans available.
FAQS
Each scholarship application will have different requirements. It's likely that the application may require an official UNC Charlotte transcript, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation.