![[title_1]](https://scholarships.uncc.edu/sites/scholarships.uncc.edu/files/styles/news_image/public/fields/news/field_news_landscape_image/design-desk-display-313690_0.jpg?itok=esAD6I0h "[title_1]")
There’s no denying that education is expensive. 57 percent of US students graduated with student debt in 2018, with an average debt per graduate of $16,649. Thankfully, for some lucky students, scholarships are available to help offset the costs of higher education. Many assist with pricey tuition fees...
![[title_1]](https://scholarships.uncc.edu/sites/scholarships.uncc.edu/files/styles/news_image/public/fields/news/field_news_landscape_image/how-we-review-external-scholarships.jpg?itok=1w0HCVya "[title_1]")
It can often be difficult to determine whether a scholarship from an outside company or organization is a legitimate resource or not. At the University Scholarship Office, we have a strict vetting criteria through which we evaluate all outside scholarship opportunities sent to us, and we make a strong effort to only publish opportunities we feel are safe and valuable to students. This...
![[title_1]](https://scholarships.uncc.edu/sites/scholarships.uncc.edu/files/styles/news_image/public/fields/news/field_news_landscape_image/understanding-scholarship-awards.jpg?itok=NpcJtQlV "[title_1]")
“What happens after I apply for a scholarship through NinerScholars?” “How do I know if I have been awarded a scholarship?” “How long should I wait before expecting an award notification?” These are all commonly asked questions after scholarship applications close, so we want to take the time to address the scholarship award process when using NinerScholars.
Post-Application...
![[title_1]](https://scholarships.uncc.edu/sites/scholarships.uncc.edu/files/styles/news_image/public/fields/news/field_news_landscape_image/pic1.jpg?itok=eU8y65Zk "[title_1]")
Each year, UNC Charlotte students have the opportunity to apply for institutional scholarships through the NinerScholars Portal. One question that we hear often is, “When should I apply?” We hope that this post will help clear up any confusion about when you should start applying for scholarships.
October: The NinerScholars Portal Opens
Each October, the...
![[title_1]](https://scholarships.uncc.edu/sites/scholarships.uncc.edu/files/styles/news_image/public/fields/news/field_news_landscape_image/less-time-searching.jpg?itok=cMcv8-rg "[title_1]")
What is a Scholarship Office?
Believe it or not, having an office dedicated to scholarship accessibility is not a resource that many universities have. The majority of universities split the function of scholarship distribution with the financial aid office, which means that financial aid is managing everything like grants, federal loans, needs-based aid, and...
![[title_1]](https://scholarships.uncc.edu/sites/scholarships.uncc.edu/files/styles/news_image/public/fields/news/field_news_landscape_image/pic3.jpg?itok=AlI8hoSI "[title_1]")
No Free Lunch
Why would so many companies offer large, and seemingly easy scholarship opportunities online? It’s no secret that private companies are driven by profit, so what could possibly be profitable about giving away thousands of dollars to students?
There is an analogy in economic studies which says that there is “no such thing as a free lunch.” This...
![[title_1]](https://scholarships.uncc.edu/sites/scholarships.uncc.edu/files/styles/news_image/public/fields/news/field_news_landscape_image/internal-external-scholarships.jpg?itok=efZTbD6O "[title_1]")
Here in the University Scholarship Office at UNC Charlotte, we often use words like “institution” and “outside” when classifying scholarship opportunities. The end result of these is usually similar – they’re both scholarships. However, there are differences in how you apply for these types of scholarships and how they are awarded. While the terms institution and outside scholarships apply...
![[title_1]](https://scholarships.uncc.edu/sites/scholarships.uncc.edu/files/styles/news_image/public/fields/news/field_news_landscape_image/1278169.jpg?itok=d-kkavWP "[title_1]")
There are a wide variety of scholarship scams, and it may not always be easy identifying them. One thing you should always remember is that you should never be asked for money or any financial information in order to apply for a scholarship or to receive one. All legitimate scholarships will be free to apply for, and the information about these scholarships will be readily available online....
