The FAFSA is Now Open!

Any student who intends to apply for or renew their financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year must complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. Please submit your FAFSA as soon as possible.

Want help with the FAFSA? Schedule a one-on-one appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor, contact us at finaid@unca.edu or 828.251.6535, or visit us on the second floor of Brown Hall Mon.-Fri. from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for a walk-in appointment. We’re here to support you!

We believe that money shouldn’t stand in the way of your education. At UNC Asheville, we offer a full range of merit- and need-based financial aid options, and we will work one-on-one with you to make your education possible.

Explore Financial Aid Options

Understanding your financial aid options starts with understanding how much college will cost you. Then, you can learn more about different kinds of financial aid, identify what you are eligible for, and learn how to apply.

Net Price Calculator

Estimating what you will pay for college can be challenging, but using our Net Price Calculator makes it much simpler. The Net Price Calculator is a secure tool that provides you with a personalized net price estimate based on your unique characteristics, cost of attendance, and the financial aid provided to UNC Asheville students in the previous year.

Our Commitment to Affordability

~70%


of students receive financial aid

>$6M


in annual scholarships to students

$14K


less debt than the national average for graduate loan holders

Our Financial Aid Team

Shannon Shepherd
Director of Financial Aid

Email: sshepher@unca.edu
Phone: 828.251.6543

Brian P. Davis ’06
Associate Director of Financial Aid
for University Scholarships

Email: bdavis@unca.edu
Phone: 828.251.6543

Adrienne Lennon
Financial Aid Counselor

Email: alennon@unca.edu
Phone: 828.251.6985

Vicki McElheny
Financial Aid Counselor

Email: vmcelhen@unca.edu
Phone: 828.251.6536

Phounam Pin
Financial Aid Counselor

Email: ppin@unca.edu
Phone: 828.251.6535

Hunter Yarborough
Associate Director of Financial Aid

Email: hyarboro@unca.edu
Phone: 828.251.6535

Connect to Financial Aid Resources

Our team of admission and financial aid counselors are here to help you understand your options and navigate the process of applying for financial aid.

Federal Emergency Grants for Students

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Congress authorized federal financial support to institutions. A significant portion of the funding is for direct student emergency grants.

UNC Asheville’s Student Emergency Fund

Current students who meet certain criteria may be eligible to receive financial assistance from UNC Asheville’s Student Emergency Fund.

Have Questions? Contact the Financial Aid Team! 

Ask questions and get advice from the University of North Carolina Asheville if you need assistance with applying for Financial Aid.