The University Scholarship Office (USO) was established at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in May, 2014 for the purpose of streamlining the scholarship administration process, raising student awareness of and accessibility to scholarship opportunities, and leveraging the impact of community gifts while properly recognizing the source of the contribution.
Housed within the Enrollment Management Unit in the Academic Affairs Division of the University, the USO functions to implement and improve processes, track and analyze statistical data, provide structure and oversight, and develop policy relative to scholarship funds and scholarship administration. The USO represents the University on all matters related to scholarship administration with current and prospective students, as well as their families. Most importantly the USO serves as the champion, advocate, and lead administrator for scholarship reform and efficient utilization of scholarship-designated funds at UNC Charlotte. To successfully achieve these functions, the USO partners closely with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Office of Graduate Admissions, Office of Financial Aid, Department of Treasury Services, Donor Relations Office, Advancement Division, as well as the Deans, faculty and staff from the seven academic Colleges.
The USO also manages the NinerScholars Portal, which supports undergraduate and graduate students seeking need or merit-based scholarships available through the University. NinerScholars is UNC Charlotte's online software solution for students to get matched and apply for scholarship opportunities, and track the status of their applications in one central system. NinerScholars is also a resource to faculty and staff responsible for reviewing scholarship applications, selecting and notifying recipients, processing student award payments, and overall scholarship fund administration. The USO also maintains a robust, searchable database of external scholarship opportunities for current and prospective students to consider, in addition to university scholarships available through NinerScholars.
As part of the Enrollment Management Unit, the University Scholarship Office embraces data-driven decision-making and process improvement to strategically support and enhance the full student lifecycle from recruitment through graduation. The USO, in partnership with the colleges and departments that administer scholarship funds across campus, is committed to developing and administering scholarship opportunities that reflect the diversity of our community and increasing access to financial opportunities among students historically underserved in higher education. The USO believes that diversity in the student body strengthens the educational experience and that diversity among the staff is essential to our success in supporting students from all cultural, educational and economic backgrounds.