Co-op Education

Cooperative Education (“Co-op”) is a type of internship program which allows students to obtain professional work experience while still in college.

About Cooperative Education (Co-op Education)

The co-op program will provide you with the chance to combine classroom study with paid professional employment directly related to your major and career goals
It is a unique opportunity for students to apply their academic preparation to “real world” situations in business and industry
Available for College of Computing and Informatics, William States Lee College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts & Science, and Belk College of Business

Co-op students are enrolled in a zero-credit course that is documented on their transcript each semester they work in order to maintain their full-time status with the University.
There is a $60 registration fee that will be applied to the student’s account for each semester of work.
According to federal guidelines, as long as a school determines the co-op program is equal to full-time status and the student is REQUIRED to take the co-op as part of their program, then the school is allowed to pay federal financial aid to these students.
- Because UNC Charlotte does not require students to complete a co-op program as part of their degree requirements, you are NOT eligible for federal financial aid in the term(s) where co-op is the only course taken.

Why was I able to receive financial aid in the past when I enrolled in co-op programs?

The Office of Financial Aid at UNC Charlotte is always reviewing federal regulations to ensure compliance with federal guidelines. After reviewing the university’s co-op program, it has been determined that the co-op course is NOT REQUIRED for any program of study at UNC Charlotte. There are two conditions for co-op student(s) to be eligible for Title IV financial aid:
1. The school has to consider co-op students to be the equivalent to full-time status.
2. The co-op course has to be REQUIRED for their program of study.
Because UNC Charlotte does not require a co-op for any program, any students enrolled in a co-op course only would NOT be eligible for financial aid that given term.

Will I be eligible for financial aid if I register for other courses along with my co-op course during the same term?

If you are taking classes while you are doing the co-op program, you may be eligible for financial aid for those classes, but not the co-op.
Contact Niner Central to speak to a specialist and determine your eligibility.

Will I have to begin repayment of my student loans in my co-op term since there is zero credit for the co-op program?

Co-op students are considered full-time status during the term(s) of the co-op course.
Students will remain in an in-school deferment status for loan repayment purposes and will not have to begin repayment during their co-op term.

Would co-op students be eligible for an alternative loan for the co-op term?

Yes. Co-op students are eligible for an alternative loan for the co-op term as long as they meet the lender requirements for the loan. The Financial Aid Cost of Attendance budget for the term would reflect full-time amounts; however the tuition and fee component would be adjusted to $60 for the co-op fee.

Would co-op students be eligible for any type of scholarships?

Possibly. If the student meets the donor requirements of the scholarship then they would be able to receive it for the co-op term.

Can co-op students receive the University’s health insurance during the co-op term(s)?

Co-op students may be eligible to enroll in the University’s insurance during open enrollment. Additional information can be found at the Student Health Center.

What can I do if I need assistance for living expenses, transportation expenses, etc.?

Co-op student can apply for an alternative loan if they meet the lender’s requirements. Students will need to check with their lender of choice to see if they qualify.