Student Frequently Asked Questions
The following FAQs provide information and links to resources that you may find useful during your time as a UNC-Chapel Hill student. You may want to bookmark this page, so you can more easily get back to these resources that we have found particularly important for distance education students.
What do I do if I have technical problems?
What is the Onyen?
How do I register for classes?
How do I drop or add courses during a term?
Where do I buy textbooks?
How do I use the library?
Do I need a UNC identification card?
How do I check my grades?
Can I get financial aid to support my educational expenses?
What is the Honor Code for distance education students?
Question not answered?
What do I do if I have technical problems?
If you need technical support with computer connections, links to websites, online library resources, etc., you should contact the UNC Help Desk by telephone at 919-962-HELP (4357), which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or by email at help@unc.edu.
You can also receive support through the website at http://help.unc.edu, where there are useful FAQs, a web form for requesting help, and a live chat service.
Technical support does not include troubleshooting issues with personal hardware or software. Some programs have additional technical support—you should contact your program to see what additional support they offer.
What is the Onyen?
Your Onyen (Only Name You'll Ever Need) is a unique electronic user ID that you will need to access information and services over the internet.
Depending on your program, your Onyen and password may give you access to:
- your UNC email account
- course registration
- grades
- UNC shareware
- online courses through Blackboard
- MyUNC web portal
You can create your Onyen as soon as you have your PID (Person ID Number). A PID is a nine-digit number that is assigned to anyone affiliated with the University. You should receive your PID from your department or school after you enroll. You can look up your PID if you have forgotten it.
Note: If you do not have a PID, you will need to contact the department with which you are affiliated. They must contact the PID office directly and request a PID creation.
Additional Resources:
Onyen policy page
Onyen management (includes password and email management):
How do I register for classes?
To register for a course in a degree or certificate program, you should contact your program first before trying to register. Once you are admitted into the program, information on registering for courses will be provided.
If you would like to take a course or courses at the University without enrolling in a degree or certificate program, please contact the Friday Center for Continuing Education.
How do I drop or add courses during a term?
Sometimes enrolled students find that they need to stop participation in a course or would like to join a course once the term is already underway.
If you need to drop or add a distance education course, contact your program or department to determine current deadlines for either action. You should not assume that a program will automatically drop or add a course at your request. Each program determines dates each term by which it is acceptable to drop or add a course. These dates change from term to term. Your program will probably refer you to a registrar, the person(s) on campus responsible for managing student course registration, for additional information and procedures.
Where do I buy textbooks?
If you are registered through the Friday Center, you can order your books through the Higher Ground's Bookstore. Once at the bookstore site, select the link for your program, either Carolina Courses Online, the Independent Study Program, or Self Paced Study Online. The site will show you books for your classes and provide directions for ordering and shipping.
If you are enrolled in any other program or course of study at UNC-Chapel Hill, you can order your textbooks and have them shipped through the UNC Student Stores' online textbook purchasing services.
There are two ways to access this service:
- Log into "My-UNC"using your Onyen and password. Select the "Student" tab on the left side of the screen. You will see a list of the courses for which you are registered. Click the "Show Books" button on the bottom of the schedule. The screen will show books and other material for each course. Select the books you want to purchase and enter your payment information.
- Log into "My-UNC"using your Onyen and password. Select the "Student" tab and the "Buy @ UNC" tab. Click on "Main Bookstore". Here, you will be able to search for and select book to purchase.
If you do not see textbook options for your course, contact your program for more information.
How do I use the library?
As a UNC distance education student you will have access to the nearly 3 dozen libraries that support the University of North Carolina's academic and professional programs.
For general information or to use resources in the UNC Library System, please visit the Library System's main website at www.lib.unc.edu.
Information specific to distance education students is available by following the Distance Education link under the Support section.
Accessing library resources via the internet:
Many of the electronic resources provided through UNC Chapel Hill Libraries are licensed to be used only by current UNC Chapel Hill students, faculty, and staff or affiliated AHEC faculty, staff, preceptors, and residents. You can access secure materials through the internet by properly setting up your web browser. The Libraries provide excellent resources about Off Campus Access.
If you would like to learn more about using the UNC Libraries, please visit Library Instructional Services.
If you have a question about any other library services or resources or would like to set up a research consultation with a subject expert, please Ask-A-Librarian. Be sure to identify yourself as a distance education student.
Do I need a UNC identification card?
The UNC One Card is the official identification card for students, faculty, and staff. Although not required for distance education students, it may be used as an on campus library card. While distance learners are not automatically issued a UNC One Card, they are available from your program.
The card may be used by the student, in conjunction with a photo ID, to use books and other materials from any of the libraries in the 16-campus UNC system and the Triangle Research Libraries Network (Duke, NCCU, NCSU, and UNC-CH). You should present the UNC One Card for Distance Learners to the main library at each reciprocal campus for registration purposes before using other libraries on that campus. Make sure you learn about the policies and restrictions of the library from which you want to borrow. See the list of all cooperating institutions.
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.