First Things First
getting started: essential tasks
Register for Orientation
Summer 2024 New Graduate Student Virtual Orientation is May 16 at 4:00 PM. Please register today!
Set up Niner Credentials & Duo
Charlotte emails will go to your NinerNET account, so set it up now and check it daily! Duo is also required to access many Charlotte services.
Order an ID Card
The 49er ID Card is necessary for accessing buildings, checking out library materials, and more. Try the handy mobile version!
My.charlotte.edu is where you can access your account balance, Gmail, class schedule, Banner, Canvas, DegreeWorks, and so much more.
Questions about finances, course registration, grades, records, or student services? Niner central is where you'll find answers to almost anything!
You must submit your immunization records and waive or enroll in health insurance. Take those steps at the Student Health Center's insurance page.
Financial Information
Cost of Attendance
View graduate cost of attendance estimates when planning your graduate school budget. Note that the estimates will vary based on residency status as well as the program and college.
Funding Your Graduate Education
There are several ways to fund your graduate study at Charlotte. Discuss funding with your Graduate Program Director (GPD) and visit the Graduate School’s funding page for more information.
Fellowships
Graduate students may fund part or all of their study through competitive fellowships. These may be awarded by an external organization or by the Graduate School each Spring (Charlotte opportunities can be found in the Niner Scholar portal).
PIVOT is the most comprehensive database of funding opportunities for research in the US. The Division of Research also lists funding by discipline.
Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid in Niner Central administers financial aid programs to US citizens and eligible non-citizens who submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
All financial awards and Graduate Assistant contracts that you have obtained or been offered are listed in eGPS.
Graduate assistantships and on- and off-campus employment can be found in Hire-a-Niner.
Billing Information
For full details about billing and your student account, go to Niner Central's Billing Information, my.charlotte.edu, or check your email. The University does not mail paper bills.
Depending on when you register for courses, charges for the Fall semester will likely appear on your student account in early July.
You may enroll in a payment plan that divides your balance into 4-5 equal payments.
It’s important to pay attention to payment due dates, as your classes could be cancelled if you don’t pay your account balance in full by the date shown on your account.
Tuition Support
Many doctoral students receive full tuition and health insurance support from the Graduate School via the Graduate Assistant Support Program (GASP). Those receiving GASP are required to hold a Graduate Assistantship as a Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant, which includes a stipend. Most GAs are hired by the student's department.
A small number of master's students receive tuition support via nomination by their GPDs.
Graduate School tuition support does not include university fees or program/college tuition increments.
Offers for tuition and health insurance support come from the students’ programs after admission.
Housing & Dining
When preparing for grad school, housing might be your first and biggest concern. Here are some tips to help you find the ideal living situation:
These off-campus housing options are a part of the Niner Choice Program of properties that meets Charlotte's standards.
Find a roommate or sublease by searching for UNC Charlotte housing groups on Facebook.
Discover the unique personalities of Charlotte's neighborhoods!
The Quality of Life Explorer is a useful neighborhood guide.
Find transportation options available to you.
Take a virtual tour of the residence if you can’t see it in person.
View neighborhood walkability at walkscore.com.
Charlotte also has a limited number of on-campus rooms for graduate students. For more info contact hrlmailbox@charlotte.edu or call 704-687-7501.
Image credit: James Willamore, Flickr
Valid apartment search sites include Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, ApartmentFinder, ApartmentList, Very Apt, Apartment.com and Zillow.
A Word of Caution: Read your lease carefully before you sign! Please contact UNC Charlotte Student Legal Services, Inc. (SLS) if you have questions about your lease or your housing situation. Student Legal Services also provides legal information for tenants on their Services page. Check out this document for important steps for renters in NC.
Dining at Charlotte
The options across campus are displayed on this dining map. Visit Dining Services Hours of Operation to view the current hours of dining facilities on campus.
The Optional Dining Account is a debit account that can be used at all campus locations, including convenience stores. Deposits to the account include bonus meal swipes.
Health
Student Health Center
The Charlotte Student Health Center is a one-stop-shop for most primary medical care appointments, prescriptions, vaccinations, insurance questions, and even consultations with a Registered Dietitian. Both telemedicine and in-person appointments are currently offered, depending on the medical issue. These services are available to all Charlotte students
Immunizations
Submit appropriate immunization documentation before your arrival on campus. Information about immunization requirements and documentation can be found on the Immunizations Department page of the Student Health Center site.
Center for Wellness Promotion
The Center for Wellness Promotion seeks to educate and empower students to maintain healthy behaviors. The Center also provides a sober community that includes therapy, volunteering, and social and educational activities.
Health Insurance
Graduate students enrolled in 3 or more credit hours in a degree-seeking or certificate program are required to have health insurance (with the exception of Distance Education students).
If you already have coverage, it is important that you provide proof of coverage and waive Student Blue Health Insurance Coverage online each semester.
If you don’t have insurance, you may purchase Student Blue Health Insurance.
International students
It is important that international students pay close attention to all instructions from the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO), especially with regard to applying for a U.S. visa. Check your Charlotte email frequently and read all messages from ISSO promptly and thoroughly. ISSO also provides a New International Student Orientation web page that incoming students should visit.
Learn more about visa types and the application process at ISSO's Newly Admitted Students page.
For F-1/J-1 visas, begin the application process by completing a Financial Certification Form, which will allow Charlotte to certify sufficient funding for the issuance of an I-20 or DS-2019.
ISSO will email a link to the Financial Certification Form when it is time for you to complete it.
Once the I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, the next step for most students will be to schedule a visa interview.
For any new job, there are several important steps that must be taken to complete an I-9 form in order to establish employment eligibility.
Please contact Charlotte's Student Legal Services if you are in need of legal advice. Though Student Legal Services is not able to advise on visa and immigration issues, they can offer assistance in the areas of landlord problems, protective orders, speeding tickets, and can provide other information and referrals.
International Student Organizations at Charlotte
Student organizations can help you have a happy and successful time in graduate school by providing a support system. Some may even be able to assist with your transition to Charlotte, so get in touch before you arrive to find out what your country's student organization has to offer.
