Carolina supports military students
Discover some of the benefits, events and resources the University offers to those who serve and other military-related Tar Heels.
Carolina has a long history of supporting veterans and military-affiliated individuals through a wide range of benefits, events, resources and training. Whether you’re a veteran, active-duty service member, military dependent or someone interested in learning more about the military experience, Carolina offers plenty of opportunities to get involved and find support.
Resources and training
The newly rebranded Military and Veteran Student Success Center serves as a hub for military-affiliated students to study, relax and connect with others who share similar experiences. The rebrand has allowed the center to expand its services, now offering more tailored support to dependents, spouses and ROTC cadets in addition to veterans and active-duty students.
The MVSS also offers programs designed to help both students and faculty better understand the transition from military to academic life. The Boot Print to Heel Print program, for example, guides veteran students through the college process — from admissions to graduation — while offering tips for adjusting to campus life.
Faculty and staff can also participate in Green Zone training, a workshop that provides insight into the experiences of military-affiliated students. Through guest speakers, MVSS staff and visiting service members, participants gain valuable perspective on how to better support those who have served.
Financial and educational benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, which include assistance with tuition and fees as well as a stipend for books and supplies. In addition, active-duty soldiers and dependents who use VA benefits or the North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance Program qualify for in-state tuition rates, regardless of their state residency.
Students who formerly served or are currently serving in the armed forces — including dependents and spouses — also have their application fees waived. Students using VA benefits receive priority registration for classes, ensuring they can build a schedule that accommodates both their academic and personal responsibilities.
As of last year, the Office of Undergraduate Curricula approved a petition to waive the High-Impact General Education requirement for veterans and military students who earned the rank of E-4 or higher, or who completed their branch’s noncommissioned officer course as an E-3. This change recognizes the leadership and training experience that service members bring with them to Carolina.
Events throughout the year
Carolina regularly celebrates and honors its military-connected community through a variety of campus events. Each November, the University hosts a weeklong Veterans Week celebration featuring a range of activities and gatherings. Highlights include the Military Appreciation football game, a Women Veterans breakfast and the Tar Heel Tribute, which this year features Jake Norotsky from the Wounded Warrior Project as the keynote speaker. Find these events on the University Calendar.
The Army ROTC also hosts the annual 9/11 Memorial Climb, in which military students, student-athletes and community members climb 2,071 stairs of Kenan Stadium representing the 110 floors of the World Trade Center to honor the 2,977 victims of the attacks.
For more than a decade, Carolina has also hosted the Red, White and Carolina Blue graduation ceremony. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, the Military and Veteran Student Success Center and the Carolina Veterans Alumni Network, the ceremony recognizes veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard members and commissioning ROTC cadets as they complete their degrees.
