UNC Asheville Offers “Resilience Grant” for Residents of Some Western Counties

Students from Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey Counties will automatically receive the funding toward tuition if they meet the criteria. 

The University of North Carolina Asheville, which offered free in-state tuition for Spring 2025, has now announced new funds to support Fall 2025 incoming students in areas of Western North Carolina most impacted by Hurricane Helene. One-time grants of $2,000 will be applied toward tuition for all eligible incoming first-year students, including any students still considering applying who decide to enroll. New transfer students who are eligible for the grant may receive $3,000.

“We recognize that many students and families are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Helene, and we hope these grants will relieve some of the financial strain they may be experiencing due to the destruction and disruption,” said Associate Vice Chancellor for Admission and Financial Aid Marcio Moreno.

To meet the criteria for the UNC Asheville Resilience Grants, students must:

• Be validated by NC Residency Determination Service as in-state for tuition purposes
• Be from one of the following Western North Carolina counties: Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Yancey
• Enroll and start classes in the fall 2025 semester
• Be degree-seeking
• Register and complete 12 credit hours for both the fall and spring semesters
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and 67% completion rate

This is the latest in a series of tuition relief options the University has provided in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Last year, it also significantly expanded the Access Asheville program, which benefits students from across the region with a household income of less than $90,000.