Financial Aid

SOAR Orientation 2016

SOAR Ambassador Program

SOAR Ambassadors are carefully selected based on a review of various factors including, but not limited to: high school academic achievement, standardized test score performance, and participation in extracurricular activities during high school years. The scholarship award is the equivalent of UNCW in-state tuition and fees each year. A supplemental $1000 award is added during the sophomore, junior and senior years.

Eligibility to continue in the program is reviewed each academic year, provided students complete the requirements expressed in the SOAR Ambassador Program Handbook. The minimum criteria are:

  • Immediate enrollment as a freshman during the fall semester after high school graduation.
  • Must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
  • Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours per academic year (total during fall, spring, and summer terms).
  • Participate in all program specific requirements.
  • Completion of current FAFSA.
  • Be within 200% of the Federal Income Guidelines.  

Additionally, SOAR Ambassadors are required to attend monthly meetings to foster relationships with their peers, complete community service projects, and learn valuable information from various departments on campus. This scholarship is available for 8 semesters provided students are able to successfully complete all program requirements each academic year.

SOAR Ambassador Scholarship

Below is an example of the financial aid award package of a first-year SOAR Ambassador with in-state residency status.

SOAR Ambassador Award Example

Sample SOAR Ambassador Award
Type of Aid Without Student Loans With Student Loans
UNCW SOAR Ambassador Award $7,048.00 $7,048.00
Federal Pell Grant $6,095.00* $6,095.00*
State Grant (NC residents only) $3,044.00* $3,044.00*
Federal Subsidized Student Loan (optional) $3,442.00**
Federal Unsubsidized Student Loan (optional) $1,990.00**
Total Aid per year $16,187.00 $21,619.00
Total Aid per semester $8,093.50 $10,809.50

* Federal Pell and State Grant amount shown is the maximum amount students can receive. Actual amounts may vary based on EFC.

** These numbers represent the net amount after the deduction of the loan fees. You are not required to borrow any Federal Students Loans. You will have the opportunity to decline them during the awarding process.

Cost of Attendance:  The academic year cost of attendance (COA) for an in-state resident at UNCW for the 2019-2020 academic year is $25,307.  The cost of attendance is not a final bill, but is an estimate of educational expenses for the academic year. Direct charges (tuition, fees, housing, dining, and books) is roughly $19,000 per academic year. 

To apply for the SOAR Ambassador Scholarship, complete the SOAR specific questions on the UNCW Scholarship Application.