Prospective Student Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs provide information and links to resources that you may find useful if you are thinking about becoming a distance education student at Carolina.
Is an online program right for me?
What can I expect from a typical online course at UNC?
How can I find out more about online course offerings at UNC?
Do I need to apply for admission before I can take an online course?
How do I apply for admission?
As a distance student, am I eligible for financial aid?
Question not answered?
Is an online program right for me?
An online course or program may be right for you if you need the flexibility to fit your studies around your work and don't want to travel or relocate to attend a residential program.
Online classes are just as demanding as their on-campus counterparts. In fact, it often takes more self-discipline to succeed in an online learning environment due to the absence of face-to-face interaction and mandatory physical attendance that you have in on-campus courses.What can I expect from a typical online course at UNC?
There is no "typical" online course or program at UNC. Each school and program sets its own requirements and expectations which influence the way their courses are designed and taught. In general, however, most courses are taught on Blackboard and involve some combination of individual work and group discussion. Check with the individual program you are interested in for more information on typical course offerings.
How can I find out more about online course offerings at UNC?
The Programs and Courses section of this website allows you to browse offerings by school, type of program, or program name. Follow the links to a specific school or program to find more detailed information
Do I need to apply for admission before I can take an online course?
Most degree and certificate programs require admission before you are allowed to register for a course. You may register for a Carolina Course Online or a Self Paced Course Online through the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education without going through the Office of Admissions.
How do I apply for admission?
Contact the program that you are interested in for specific admissions procedures. The admission process and requirements vary for program to program.
As a distance student, am I eligible for financial aid?
Financial aid is available for graduate students who are enrolled in a degree-granting program. Undergraduate students also may be eligible for financial aid for courses they take through Carolina Courses Online. All students must be degree-seeking, academically eligible, and enrolled at least half-time. Financial aid packages for undergraduate students may consist of grants and loans, while the majority of aid to graduate and professional students is from loan sources.
Additional information is available at the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid website at http://studentaid.unc.edu Also, you may call (919) 962-8396 to determine if you can qualify for aid in the distance education program that interests you.
Question not answered?
Send us your question about Distance Education. We will respond by email. Please include your name and your email address along with your question.