Auditing allows a student to enroll and attend a class without receiving academic credit. Audit students pay regular tuition and fees for audited classes.
Senior citizens age 65 and older can enroll to audit courses tuition-free on a space-available basis.
Who is an Audit-Only Student?
Auditing allows a student to enroll and attend a class without receiving academic credit. While the course counts as attempted hours, it does not count as earned hours, GPA hours, quality points, or in a GPA calculation.
Audit students pay regular tuition and fees for audited classes. Audit students cannot later retake courses completed as audit for credit or toward degree requirements.
How do I apply?
You can apply online through the UNCW Application Portal. If you do not already have an account, you will be required to create one before applying.
Should you decide to pursue your education at UNCW with the intention of earning an undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a separate application to the Office of Admissions by the published deadline.
Acceptance as an audit only student does not guarantee admission to the university as a degree-seeking student.
Deadlines
Spring: December 15 Summer: June 15 Fall: July 15
How to Apply
Students who are not currently enrolled at UNCW and wish to audit a class must:
Submit an application for admission through the UNCW Application Portal as an Audit student type
Pay the non-refundable $80 Application Fee
Obtain the instructor's permission to audit the course. Forward the instructor's approval along with the Course Registration Number (CRN) for the approved course to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@uncw.edu
The Office of the Registrar will process your registration using the course registration number (CRN) and verified approval from the course instructor. Pay tuition and fees through the Cashier's Office before the first day of classes.
If you register for more than four (4) credit hours, you will need to comply with the immunization requirements under North Carolina state law. Please contact Student Health Services at 910.962.3280 for more information.
Auditing additional classes in subsequent terms does not require a new application. However, if you miss two or more consecutive semesters, you must reapply through the Office of Admissions.
Follow these steps to submit your audit registration for the next term.
Using your UNCW email address, email the course instructor and request approval to register as an audit student. Remember to include the course registration number (CRN), course name and course number.
In fall 2017, the General Assembly authorized the Board of Governors to promulgate rules permitting North Carolina residents who are at least 65 years old as of the start of the applicable term, and who meet applicable admission standards, to enroll to audit courses tuition-free on a space-available basis.
Acceptance as a non-degree senior citizen audit student does not guarantee admission to the university as a degree-seeking student. If admitted as a degree-seeking student, tuition and fees will apply.
Please note the following restrictions:
Laboratory, studio, performance, distance education, independent study, internship, or special topic courses are ineligible for this free tuition opportunity.
Senior auditors shall be allowed to audit courses only if there is space available after regularly enrolled students are placed. Audit requests will be accepted according to the institutional calendar of registration dates and will be processed after the institution can confirm space will be available in the requested course. Registration will be held until such time as space available can be determined by the institution.
Senior Citizen Application & Registration Process
Senior citizens 65 years of age or older who are not currently enrolled at UNCW and wish to audit a class must:
Submit an application for admission through UNCW Application Portal as a senior citizen audit student
Obtain the instructor's permission to audit the course. Forward the instructor's approval along with the Course Registration Number (CRN) for the approved course to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@uncw.edu
