Dr. Renatta Craven made the most of the Carolina Covenant
The journey of one of the first students to use the financial aid package shows the power of the program.
20 years of Carolina Covenant
For two decades, the Carolina Covenant has provided more than 10,000 students the opportunity to graduate debt-free through scholarships, work-study and grants.
Keep scrolling to learn about Covenant Scholars' experiences and other affordability initiatives at Carolina.
Established in 2004, the Carolina Covenant is a financial aid package and network of support that provides an opportunity for students to graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill debt-free. The Covenant meets full financial need and also offers academic, career and well-being support to help Scholars thrive.
Covenant Scholars are admitted students from families with an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and who meet additional financial criteria.
Read more about the Carolina Covenant program and its alumni.
The simple idea of helping students from lower-income families find a path to debt-free graduation came to fruition under the guidance of former Chancellor James Moeser and Shirley Ort, former director of the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. It now serves as a model program replicated by dozens of colleges and universities.
Read more about the beginnings of the Carolina Covenant and the legacy it’s formed.
Covenant Scholars' experiences
Charlotte attorney chairs Covenant alumni board
Charles Hands, a Carolina Covenant alumnus, wants to give back to the program that gave him so much.
Covenant scholars and sisters will soon be doctors
Being able to graduate debt-free thanks to the Carolina Covenant turned the Martinez sisters’ dreams into reality.
Lumbee senior focuses on traditional ways of healing
Lyric Locklear plans to study naturopathic medicine in medical school to incorporate holistic health in Native communities.
Covenant Scholar’s dentistry path leads back to rural service
The program’s work-study jobs fostered Dr. Segovia-Chumbez’s relationships and science interests.
Alumna at Nike endows Covenant scholarship
“Carolina gave me so much,” says Ilana Finley, a 23-year Nike veteran and Converse vice president.
Carolina affordability
By the numbers
Making a difference
In addition to the Carolina Covenant, the University offers several other scholarships and financial initiatives aimed at making a Carolina education affordable. Read these stories below to learn about Tar Heels making the most of their time on campus.
Blue Sky Scholar loves the law
Tazanna Jones has always wanted to be a lawyer. She now knows Carolina is the right place to work toward that goal.
Kessler Scholar finds a family
Emily Shipway belongs to the first cohort of this program, which supports rural first-generation college students.
Tar Heel Guarantee broadens commitment to NC
This new accessibility effort covers out-of-pocket costs for tuition and mandatory fees for North Carolina undergraduates whose families make less than $80,000 a year and have typical assets.
Carolina Firsts helps first-generation students build community
Part of the Center for Student Success, the initiative offers workshops, events and one-on-one guidance for Carolina's nearly 4,000 first-generation Tar Heels.
C-STEP graduates off to pursue goals
Two transfer students talk about how the Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program helped them succeed.
