North Carolina Free Tuition Plan

With NC Free, we seek to serve our community by making a Warren Wilson education possible for more North Carolina students.

Every new NC undergraduate student who is eligible for federal and/or state need-based aid can attend Warren Wilson tuition-free.

All North Carolina residents who qualify for a federal or state need-based grant will receive the remainder of their tuition free through Warren Wilson College scholarships, Warren Wilson College need-based grants and our unique work-grant. Student loans will not be applied towards the cost of tuition but may be applied towards food and housing.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must:

  • Be admitted to Warren Wilson College for the first-time, as a full-time undergraduate;
  • File a current FAFSA and send to Warren Wilson College (school code: 002979);
  • Confirm North Carolina residency through the North Carolina Residency Determination Service;
  • Be awarded federal Pell Grant and/or NC Need Based Scholarship. The NC Tuition Free Plan covers the cost of your tuition after federal and/or state aid is applied;
  • Live on campus and participate fully in the WWC work program;
  • Be enrolled full time;
  • Maintain consecutive enrollment.

The NC Free Tuition Plan is guaranteed for up to 4 years. If you do not complete your degree in four years, you may appeal to extend your NC Free Tuition eligibility.

Renewal Requirements

  • File a renewal FAFSA each year before March 1st;
  • Complete verification process (if selected) each year before March 1st;
  • Remain a NC resident according to NC RDS (North Carolina Residency Determination Service);
  • Remain eligible for federal need based grants OR remain eligible for NC Need Based grant (based on FAFSA information);
  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress;
  • Be a residential (on-campus) student;
  • Be enrolled full time;
  • Maintain consecutive enrollment.

If students choose to study away while a student at Warren Wilson, their NC free tuition plan is subject to the same conditions as other institutional aid depending on the study away program.

If a student no longer meets the criteria for this plan, eligibility will be evaluated based on the current renewal policy for returning students for that particular year.