How important are scholarships at UNCG?

With tuition and fees now around $3,500/year and a total cost of attendance estimated at $10,000, UNCG is still a bargain in the world of higher education.

Even at that, the need for financial aid far exceeds the supply. In 2002-03 our students received $57 million in financial assistance, and yet documented unmet need totaled over $15 million. For many deserving students a college education is only a dream because they cannot afford it.

Academic scholarships allow us to attract the best students to UNCG. Why is this so important? Quality begets quality. Good students are attracted to schools where they see other good students, and this contributes to a favorable institutional reputation. Institutional reputation and scholarship dollars are the most powerful factors in recruiting top students. The best students are often leaders while here -- inspiring their classmates to higher levels of achievement while taking an active role in campus life -- and among our most distinguished alumni and best ambassadors when they leave us. A strong student body enhances faculty satisfaction, which in turn supports faculty recruitment.

Whether your scholarship is based on financial need, academic achievement, or both, you can be sure your gesture will have a positive, and possibly life-changing, impact on the lives of students.

How can I establish a scholarship at UNCG?

There are three ways to establish a scholarship at UNCG:

1. Creating a permanent endowment through a single, lump-sum gift.
2. Creating a permanent endowment with a pledge paid over a period of years. (This is called a term endowment.)
   >> More On Endowments
3. Making an annual contribution in an amount equivalent to the income from an endowment. (This is called a current scholarship.)
   >> More On Current Gifts

Our development staff will be happy to discuss these ideas with you to help determine which might be the best fit for you.

How can I be sure my wishes will be honored?

We will work with you to craft an agreement called a "statement of establishment." It will document your intentions for the scholarship and the University's agreement to abide by your wishes. We will provide annual reports to you about your scholarship's recipients and fund balances.

What level of gift will establish a scholarship at UNCG?

The minimum level for a scholarship endowment is $25,000. For the top scholarships at the University, awarded through the Merit Award Program, the level is $125,000. The minimum level for a current scholarship is $1,000 per year, pledged over four years.

What if I am interested in scholarships for students but can't give as much as the University requires?

We still value your support and would find a place to put your gift so that you can be sure you are helping students. This might be in the University's General Scholarship Fund or in an already established scholarship in an area of specific interest to you.

Can I create a scholarship through my will?

Yes. Your will is one of many vehicles you can use to make a gift through your estate plans. We can work with you to craft a "statement of intention," an agreement documenting your intentions to make a gift in the future and the University's promise to honor your wishes when your gift is eventually received. We can also give you the precise language for your will or codicil to accomplish your goals. We urge you to contact us if you are contemplating such a gesture to help ensure that we can honor your wishes. There are many options for creating scholarships and other endowments through planned gifts, and our planned giving staff would welcome the opportunity to discuss them with you.
     >> More On Planned Giving