Fixed Tuition Program

UNC Charlotte implemented the Fixed Tuition program for students enrolled beginning in Fall 2016.


The Fixed Tuition program provides eligible, in-state undergraduate students with the same tuition rate for a specific period of continuous enrollment. The fixed tuition program only includes tuition and not fees. Fees may be increased annually.

  • For eligible first-year students seeking a 4-year bachelor’s degree, the tuition rate will be fixed for 8 consecutive semesters.
  • For eligible transfer students, the tuition rate will be fixed for a prorated period of time based on the prior credit you have earned or transferred in from other institutions.
  • You can view your fixed tuition eligibility period in Student Self Service (under Quick Links > Student Self Service> Student Records > Fixed Tuition).

Examples:

  • If you are a first-year student who started your 4-year program in Fall 2023, you remain continuously enrolled for the next 8 consecutive semesters (excluding summer), and graduate in Spring 2027, then your tuition rate will be the same for all 8 semesters.
  • If you are a transfer student who enrolled at UNC Charlotte for the first time in Fall 2023, the number of semesters for which you will receive fixed tuition will vary based on the number of credits you transferred to UNC Charlotte and the number of credits you have earned since you’ve been enrolled.

Eligibility
  • The eligibility period begins for first-time or transfer students upon enrolling at UNC Charlotte for the fall or spring semester as a degree-seeking undergraduate. To maintain eligibility, you must remain continuously enrolled during the entire tuition period, for fall and spring semesters, in courses creditable toward a bachelor’s degree.
  • Eligible transfer students receive fixed tuition for a prorated time period, based on credits accumulated at the transferring institution(s).
  • The eligibility period for continuing students is prorated based on the number of credits earned at the institution or transferred into the institution from another university.

Students Not Eligible for Fixed Tuition

The following students are not eligible for the Fixed Tuition Program and will be billed based on the current year’s tuition rate.

  • Non-resident students (students from outside of North Carolina)
  • Graduate students
  • Continuing Education students
  • Students currently enrolled in a cooperative innovative high school/early college
  • Consortium, or Dual-Enrollment program
  • Second degree-seeking students
  • Non-degree seeking students
  • UNC Online student

Break In Continuous Enrollment

If you are not enrolled during two consecutive semesters at UNC Charlotte, this is considered a “break in continuous enrollment”.

  • Students are not required to be enrolled during the summer term(s) to maintain continuous enrollment.
  • Students who have a break in enrollment may petition for a waiver to retain initial fixed tuition under the following conditions: (1) military service obligation, (2) serious medical debilitation, (3) short- or long-term disability, or (4) other extraordinary hardship (refer to “Appealing Your Tuition Rate or Eligibility Period” section below).
  • If you transfer between UNC institutions but maintain continuous enrollment, you are subject to the transfer student policy, and you will pay the current rate at the institution into which you are transferring.

Withdrawals
  • If you completely withdraw from UNC Charlotte before the 10th day of the term, you will be deemed to have broken continuous enrollment.
  • If you completely withdraw from UNC Charlotte after the 10th day of the term, and then re-enroll the following semester (not including summer semesters), you will not be deemed to have broken continuous enrollment, and may re-enroll at the same fixed tuition rate. The semester during which you withdrew will be counted in the designated fixed-tuition time period unless a waiver is granted.

Out-of-State Students with Residency Reclassification
  • If you are an out-of-state student, and you are reclassified as a resident for tuition purposes, you will receive the fixed tuition benefit starting the term in which the residency reclassification took effect.
  • You will have the balance of your fixed tuition time period prorated based on the number of credits earned at the institution or transferred into the institution from another university.

Study Abroad Students
  • Any semesters spent in a study abroad program while continuously enrolled will count toward the remaining fixed tuition period, just as if you were enrolled at UNC Charlotte.

Duration of the Fixed Tuition Rate
  • The duration of your fixed tuition rate is based on your degree program length and classification.
  • If you are a new student in a 4-year bachelor’s degree program, you would receive the fixed tuition rate for 8 consecutive semesters (excluding summer terms) provided that you remain continuously enrolled.
  • The eligibility period for continuing students is prorated based on the number of credits earned at the institution or transferred into the institution from another university.

Transfer Students
  • The fixed tuition eligibility period for transfer students begins when you enroll at UNC Charlotte for the fall or spring semester as a degree-seeking undergraduate.
  • You will receive fixed tuition for a prorated time period, based on credits accumulated at the transferring institution(s).
  • In general, every 15 hours transferred into UNC Charlotte accounts for one semester of fixed tuition eligibility.
  • AP, IB, and CLEP credits earned in high school do not count against eligibility duration.

Appealing Your Tuition Rate or Eligibility Period
  • If you have a break in continuous enrollment due to these conditions below, you may petition for a waiver to keep your initial fixed tuition rate:
    • military service obligation
    • serious medical debilitation
    • short- or long-term disability
    • other extraordinary hardship
  • You must submit your waiver within 30 days after the term start in which you enrolled (30 days after the first day of class)
  • UNC Charlotte will review and respond to fixed tuition program waivers within 30 days.