The UNC-CH MPA program is committed to recruiting exceptional candidates and making graduate school accessible. It offers various scholarships and assistantships. All students are automatically considered when they apply.

100% of on-campus students receive financial support.
100% of non-resident students receive financial support.
100% of students are considered for financial support.

Tuition and Fees*

On Campus

One start time per year: Fall only

Per credit hour

North Carolina residents: $682.25
Non-residents: $1,718.75

maximum tuition per semester
(over nine credit hours)

North Carolina residents: $5,882
Non-residents: $15,210.50

total Program cost

North Carolina residents: $23,528
Non-residents: $60,842

Online

Three start times per year: Spring, Summer, Fall

Per credit hour

North Carolina residents: $682.25
Non-residents: $1,718.75

total Program cost

North Carolina residents: $30,701.25
Non-residents: $77,343.75

*These costs are estimates. The only exception to these estimates is an additional $200 student field fee for PUBA 747 and PUBA 748 enrollment.

Learn more about Residency Determination

Scholarships, Assistantships & 
Student Aid

One hundred percent of admitted on-campus students receive program support through scholarships and assistantship positions. Applicants who apply by January 1 are automatically considered for all awards.

All online applicants are automatically considered for program scholarships when they apply by the priority deadline. No further action is required. Non-North Carolina residents receive scholarship priority, and 100 percent of non-residents admitted to the online format receive at least one scholarship offer. Scholarships are provided in varying amounts and apply toward reducing tuition.

Scholarships

(no work requirement)

Scholarship amounts vary based on candidacy, previous experiences, potential for success, and academic merit, among other considerations.

Graduate Assistantships

(work requirement)

Graduate assistantships are paid positions offered to enrolled students through the School of Government and throughout UNC. Students can apply for eligible positions throughout their time in the program.

How to Pay for Graduate School

Loans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Federal loans are the most common way to pay for graduate school. Both online and on-campus students can apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Applicants must complete the FAFSA annually for each academic year of enrollment. Applicants will not be considered for financial aid until officially admitted into the program. Loans are available on the student’s initiative from the federally insured student loan program. Information is available from the UNC Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans provide additional funding to students (United States citizens and permanent residents) whose costs exceed the maximum direct loan eligibility of $20,500 per academic year. Students should exhaust their federal direct loan eligibility before pursuing a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. The interest rate for these loans is a fixed 7.9 percent.

Private Loans

Private loans provide additional funding for students (United States citizens and permanent residents) whose costs exceed the maximum direct loan eligibility of $20,500 per academic year. Students usually exhaust their federal direct loan eligibility before pursuing a private education loan. The interest rate for private education loans is variable and based on the prime rate or LIBOR.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Public service work pays off. If you work full-time for a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). PSLF forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you’ve made 120 monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan.

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