The UNC Policy Manual

1000.1.1.1[R][1]

Adopted 05/08/17

Amended 09/16/21

Publish 11/13/25

Regulation on the Fixed Tuition Benefit

I. Purpose. Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 116-143.9 (G.S.) and Section 1000.1.1, Policy on Tuition Rates, the constituent institutions must provide a fixed tuition benefit to certain qualifying students.  This regulation is intended to provide guidance to the constituent institutions regarding the implementation of this fixed tuition benefit.

II. Definitions

1.                Fixed Tuition Time Period.  The period during which a student’s tuition remains fixed, based on program length and student classification.  The calculation of the fixed tuition period is described further below.

2.                Continuously Enrolled. For the purposes of the fixed tuition benefit, a student is continuously enrolled at an institution if the student is enrolled for consecutive semesters (not including summer semesters) in courses creditable toward a baccalaureate degree. 

3.                Resident for Tuition Purposes.  A student who has been determined to meet the criteria under G.S. 116-143.1(b) and is therefore qualified to receive the in-state rate of tuition by virtue of having established appropriate residency in North Carolina.  Students who are eligible to receive the in-state rate of tuition under an exception, without having established residency in North Carolina (e.g., military exception, university employees domiciled out of state, etc.), are not considered residents for tuition purposes.  Recipients of full scholarships under G.S. 116-143.6 are considered residents of North Carolina for all purposes, and therefore are eligible for the fixed tuition benefit.

4.                Date of Census.  The conclusion of the tenth class day of the fall and spring semesters as per Section 400.1.8[R] of the UNC Policy Manual.

5.                 Transfer Hours.   Any transferable undergraduate credits from one or more regionally accredited, post-secondary institutions as described in Section 700.1.1.2[R] of the UNC Policy Manual and any other awarded academic credit (i.e., AP, IB, credits by exam), accepted by the constituent institution.  The following scale will be used to determine semester-equivalents for transferable undergraduate credits:

• 1 to 15 transferable undergraduate credits shall count as one semester
• 16 to 30 transferable undergraduate credits shall count as two semesters
• 31 to 45 transferable undergraduate credits shall count as three semesters
• 46-60 transferable undergraduate credits shall count as four semesters
• 61 to 75 transferable undergraduate credits shall count as five semesters
• 76 to 90 transferable undergraduate credits shall count as six semesters
• 91 to 105  transferable undergraduate credits shall count as seven semesters
• 106 to 120 transferable undergraduate credits shall count as eight semesters
• 121 to 135 transferable undergraduate credits shall count as nine semesters
• 136 to 150 transferable undergraduate credits shall count as ten semesters

III. Fixed Tuition Benefit Applicability.  The fixed tuition benefit applies to tuition charges only.  All other fees and charges are not fixed, and may increase during the student’s fixed tuition time period.

IV. Calculating the Fixed Tuition Time Period

A. First-Time Students.  For first-time students at constituent institutions, the fixed tuition time period shall be for a maximum of eight consecutive semesters for a four-year program and 10 consecutive semesters for a five-year program, regardless of the number of credits earned, not including summer semesters.  Students must be continuously enrolled in order to maintain eligibility. 

B. Currently Enrolled Students.  Students who are currently enrolled at a constituent institution on the effective date of the fixed tuition policy (fall 2016 term) shall receive fixed tuition for a prorated time period based on the maximum length of their program, as described in subsection A., above, less the number of semesters they have already accrued at their current institution, and less the number of semester-equivalent transfer hours they have had accepted by their current institutions, if any. 

C. Transfer Students.  Transfer students shall receive fixed tuition for a prorated time based on the maximum length of their program, as described in subsection A., above, less the number of semester-equivalent transfer credit hours the receiving institution accepts.

D. Students Reclassified as a Resident for Tuition Purposes.  Out-of-state students who are reclassified as “resident for tuition purposes” after their initial enrollment, will be eligible for the fixed tuition benefit starting the term in which the residency reclassification takes effect.  Such students will have the balance of their fixed tuition time period prorated based on subsection B., above.

E. Students who Withdraw from Classes

 1. If a student withdraws from all classes before the date of census, that student will be deemed to have broken continuous enrollment.

 2. Students who break continuous enrollment and then re-enroll at the same institution will be granted fixed tuition based on the current tuition rate, for a prorated fixed tuition time period calculated pursuant to subsection B., above.

 3. If a student withdraws from all classes after the date of census, and then re-enrolls the following semester (not including summer semesters), the student will not be deemed to have broken continuous enrollment, and may re-enroll at the same fixed tuition rate.  The semester during which the student withdrew will be counted against the student’s fixed tuition time period unless a waiver is granted.

V. Early College High School Students.  Early college high school students are not eligible for fixed tuition benefits unless and until they enroll at a constituent institution after high school completion as degree-seeking college students.  Semesters attended at the early college high school shall not count in the calculation of the fixed tuition period.

VI. Study Abroad Students.  Semesters spent in a study abroad program while continuously enrolled will count against a student’s remaining tuition periods as would any other semester.

VII. Waivers 

A. Students who have a break in enrollment and re-enroll at their original constituent institution may seek a waiver to allow them to retain their original fixed tuition rate.  Additionally, students who withdraw from all classes after the date of census and subsequently re-enroll may seek a waiver to prevent the semester during which they withdrew from counting against their fixed tuition time period.

B. Grounds for Granting a Waiver.  The following are grounds for granting a waiver:  (1) military service obligation, (2) serious medical debilitation, (3) short-term or long-term disability, or (4) other extraordinary hardship. 

VIII. Other Matters

1.                Effective Date. The requirements of this regulation shall be effective on the date of adoption of this regulation by the president.

2.                Relation to State Laws. The foregoing regulation as adopted by the president is meant to supplement, and does not purport to supplant or modify, those statutory enactments which may govern or relate to the subject matter of this regulation.

[1]Renumbered from Section 1000.1.7[R] to Section 1000.1.1[R].