The UNC Policy Manual

700.7.1

Adopted 06/14/13

Amended 02/27/15

Amended 07/27/18

Amended 10/16/25

Policy on Military Student Success

I. Purpose. The University of North Carolina System is committed to the success of military-affiliated students, which for the purpose of this policy includes students who are U.S. military service members (including National Guard and Reserve members), veterans, spouses of service members or veterans, or dependent family members of service members or veterans. References to the “Armed Forces” shall mean: the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force, and National Guard.[1] This policy, and its associated regulation, provide a framework for the constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina System to develop and maintain a comprehensive network of services for military-affiliated students seeking to meet their educational goals.

II. Admission of Active-Duty Service Members and Veterans

A. Equal Opportunity: The University of North Carolina System and its constituent institutions are committed to equality of opportunity. In accordance with G.S. 116-44.9B, constituent institutions shall not deny admission to any applicant solely on the basis of the applicant’s indication that the applicant is serving in the Armed Forces, reserve component of the Armed Forces, or Merchant Marines, or that the applicant intends to serve in the Armed Forces, reserve component of the Armed Forces, or Merchant Marine.

B. Undergraduate Admission: For purposes of undergraduate admission to any constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, any individual having completed a minimum of three years of cumulative active duty service in the United States Armed Forces shall be exempt from minimum admissions requirements (MAR) and minimum course requirements (MCR) pursuant to UNC Policy, Section 700.1.1.2[R], although they may be considered first-time undergraduates (freshmen) for reporting and/or receipt of services. Applicants in this profile shall be required to submit a high school transcript or GED, college transcript(s) (if applicable), and a relevant military transcript for evaluation. The branch of service reporting the source of transferred credit hours earned through military training will function as the applicant’s institution of transfer. If discharged from active duty, the veteran must have received an Administrative (non-punitive) Discharge. This policy shall not apply to veterans receiving a “Bad Conduct or Dishonorable Discharge.”

C. Non-binding Admissions: Nothing in this policy guarantees admission for military-affiliated students. Constituent institutions retain sole authority for admissions determinations.

D. Enrollment Deferment: In accordance with G.S. 116-44.9C, constituent institutions shall provide for enrollment deferment for members of the Armed Forces, reserve components of the Armed Forces, and Merchant Marine, and their spouses, provided the deferment is requested at least thirty days prior to enrollment in the applicable constituent institution. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, constituent institutions are encouraged to accommodate deferment requests received less than thirty days prior to enrollment in the applicable constituent institution. The minimum deferment period is as follows:

a. Reserve Armed Forces – Members and spouses of the reserve component of the Armed Forces shall be granted deferments of at least two years after entry into the reserves.

b. Armed Forces and Merchant Marine – Members and spouses of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marine and their spouses shall be granted deferments of at least five years after entry into their respective service.

III. Data Collection and Reporting on Military-Affiliated Students. The president shall establish appropriate and uniform data collection procedures to enable the constituent institutions to identify and track the academic progress of military-affiliated students for the purposes of evaluating and reporting retention, graduation, and time to degree completion. Constituent institutions must develop appropriate protocols to assure the security of all information related to the status of active-duty students and students eligible to be activated.

IV. In-State Tuition Rate for Certain Nonresident Military-Affiliated Students. In accordance with state and federal laws, certain nonresident military-affiliated students shall be eligible to receive in-state tuition rates. This includes, but is not limited, to students who meet the following qualifications:

A. Active-Duty Service Members – In accordance with G.S. 116-143.3, qualifying federal services members, including members of the Armed Forces on active duty for more than 30 days with a permanent duty station in North Carolina, and their spouses and dependent children are eligible to be charged the in-state tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees. The person applying for the benefit of this section has the burden of proving entitlement to the benefit.

B. Honorably Discharged Veterans – In accordance with G.S. 116-143.3B, certain honorably discharged veterans are eligible to be charged the in-state tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees for enrollment, without having to satisfy the 12-month residency requirement under G.S. 116-143.1, provided that the individual meets all of the following criteria:

a. Served active duty for not less than 90 days in the Armed Forces;

b. Received an Honorable Discharged from the Armed Forces;

c. Meets at least one of the following criteria:

i. Graduated from high school in North Carolina on or after January 1, 2004.

ii. Served active duty in the Armed Forces with a permanent station in North Carolina for at least 90 continuous days.

iii. Was awarded a Purple Heart.

The person applying for the aforementioned benefit has the burden of proving entitlement to the benefit. This benefit does not extend to spouses or dependents.

C. Covered Individuals Under Veterans Choice Act – Qualifying “covered” individuals under Section 702 of the Veteran Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (“Veterans Choice Act”), codified in 38 USC 3679(c), who are using educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD), or Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program are eligible to be charged the in-state tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees. Covered individuals include military veterans, spouses and dependent children, with specific eligibility criteria for each described in the Veterans Choice Act. Any covered individual must live in North Carolina when beginning classes, regardless of the formal state of residency, and must remain continuously enrolled in the institution to remain eligible for the in-state tuition rate.

V. Nonresident Military-Affiliated Admission Status – In accordance with G.S. 116-143.4, a person eligible for the in-state tuition rate shall be considered an in-state applicant for the purpose of admissions; provided that in the case of dependent children and/or spouses of military service members, such dependent children and/or spouses must be enrolled in a high school or adult high school equivalency program in North Carolina at the time the individual seeks admission to a constituent institution.

VI. Campus Support Structures for Military-Affiliated Students. The constituent institutions shall develop and maintain campus-based support networks, as well as a comprehensive series of community, regional, and national referrals for military-affiliated students to assist in successful navigation of their educational goals. These services shall include, but not be limited to, admissions, financial aid, housing, disability services, career services, health services and counseling, and other student services and supports offered under student affairs and academic affairs.

VII. Military Credit Transferability. The University of North Carolina System recognizes the value of the education, training, and experience that military students bring to the university. The University and its constituent institutions shall establish a process by which this learning can be evaluated for possible course credit. Such military learning may include, but will not be limited to, recruit training, military occupational specialty (MOS) training and education, Defense Language Institute foreign language coursework and exams, Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) coursework, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the DANTES Standardized Subject Test (DSST). The American Council on Education (ACE) credit equivalency recommendations shall serve as the standard reference work for recognizing learning acquired in the military.

VIII. Withdrawal Due to Call to Duty. The University of North Carolina System supports students called to active duty or training in the United States Armed Forces, including service in the National Guard or Reserve.[2] The policies of the constituent institutions shall assist, whenever possible, the student in withdrawing and re-entering the university without incurring financial or academic hardship. Such policies shall include but are not limited to: military withdrawal; refunds of tuition, fees, and other expenses; academic credit; military leave of absence; re-admission into the university; and scholarship status.

IX. Other Matters

A. Effective Date. The requirements of this policy shall be effective on the date of its adoption the Board of Governors.

B. Relation to State Laws. The foregoing policies as adopted by the Board of Governors are meant to supplement, and do not purport to supplant or modify, those statutory enactments which may govern the activities of public officials.

C. Regulations and Guidelines. These policies shall be implemented and applied in accordance with such regulations and guidelines as may be adopted from time to time by the president.