Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does Bridge cost anything?  Do I need to bring money with me for the summer? 

  • The Summer Bridge program, except books and additional food, covers the student costs associated with Bridge.  We cover tuition, fees and housing.  Students will be given a stipend of at least $750 for the summer that will be placed on their One Card (issued at Orientation) that can be use toward the purchase of books and materials for classes, meals, personal spending, etc. on campus. Because the cost of textbooks can use a substantial amount of the stipend, it is necessary to have additional funds for personal use, which includes meals, shopping, laundry, etc. Due to processing, there can be a few days before this money is available on your One Card, however, it should be there once you return from Orientation.  In the event that it is not, it is always helpful to have some spending money to purchase food, etc. until the money is placed on your card.

• Will I earn college credit for the courses that I am taking? 

  • Yes. Students will earn 3 credit hours per course for the summer, for a total of 6 credit hours by the end of the summer.  These courses and grades are part of your permanent transcript and are the beginning of your Carolina grade point average. For SUMMER 2023, all students, with the exception of Honors, will enroll in IDST 101 which carries 1 credit hour. This means some students will leave Summer Bridge with a total of 7 credit hours. 

• How is course enrollment determined?

  • Students will be enrolled in classes based upon test scores and transfer credits that are available by the start of the Summer Bridge program. This means that all transcripts and placement, AP, and/or IB test scores must be available before the start date of the program to determine class enrollment. Ms. Chavis will reach work with each student individually to confirm course enrollment.

• I read that you can drop a course in summer school if it is before the drop deadline.  Does this apply to Summer Bridge?

  • As a requirement of the Summer Bridge program, you must remain enrolled in both classes for the duration of the program.  You will not be allowed to drop any of your classes during the summer.

• Can I go home on the weekends?

  • Summer Bridge students are expected to stay on campus for the full six weeks of the program with the exception of the weekend of the July 4th holiday and one other weekend chosen by the student.  Students must notify the Residential Program Assistant and/or counselors of the weekend they plan to leave campus for approval in advance.  The weekends are a time for students to really embrace the campus and learn more about student life.  Fun-filled activities are planned each weekend so you do not want to miss out.  These are also great times for studying and just getting to know more about your home away from home.

• Do I live in the same dorm for the fall? Do I have to move out of this dorm and then move back in the fall? 

  • Yes, you do have to move out of the assigned dorm at the end of Summer Bridge and then move back to campus again in the fall.  Keep this in mind, as everything you bring with you for the summer, must be taken away at the end of the summer program, even if you are assigned to the same dorm in the fall.

• Do I have to go home for the mandatory weekend home (usually aligns with the Fourth of July Holiday)?  Does the university recognize the Fourth of July Holiday?

  •  The answer to both questions is yes.  The university officially recognizes this holiday.  Students will leave campus at 1:00 p.m. on the Friday that is specified as the mandatory weekend home. You should plan and arrange to be picked up immediately after class on that Friday at 1:00 p.m.  Your return to campus date and time will be determined and shared by the Residential Program Assistant.

• Do I have to participate in the closing ceremony if I want to leave and go home early?

  • Yes.  All students are expected to participate in all components of the Bridge program.  The Bridge closing ceremony is mandatory and students and their families should plan accordingly.  You will be able to checkout of the dorm immediately following the closing ceremony.

• Does Summer Bridge cover the cost of orientation?  Do I still have to attend Orientation?

  •  Summer Bridge DOES NOT cover the cost of orientation.  You must pay all fees to the orientation office.  You are required to attend orientation.  You will need to attend the orientation session that is scheduled for June 22-23, 2023. This is the Wednesday and Thursday after your arrival to Summer Bridge. Once you register for orientation, make sure all fees paid. Failure to pay all fees can lead to account holds that prevent registration for courses.

• Do my parents need to stay and attend orientation with me?  

  • Orientation is designed for students and parents/guardians.  For information regarding orientation please consult New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) for additional information.  Summer Bridge is a separate office and program from the office of New Student and Family Programs.  They can answer any orientation related questions. There are times when a parent is unable to stay for orientation, which is understandable.  It is my understanding this if okay and students proceed through the two days just fine. If that is of concern to you, please contact their office to ensure there isn’t anything your parent/guardian might need to be aware of if they can’t attend. Keep in mind, this is a benefit of Summer Bridge that you will be with us the remainder of summer on campus and we are happy to help assist you with after orientation questions and concerns.

• Can my parents/guardians spend the night in the Summer Bridge dorm in order to attend orientation the next day?

  • We cannot permit this.  Parents/guardians will need to handle their own lodging needs on Tuesday night before they move into the Orientation housing.  Feel free to check with New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) to see if earlier housing arrangements can be made to stay on campus.  If not, parents/guardians would need to find lodging in the area if their residence is not close by.

• What if I have other orientation related questions? 

  • Everything you need for orientation can be found at the New Student and Family Programs website.

• Will the stipend I receive from Summer Bridge be enough money to cover any outside expenses I may incur?

  • Please take this into consideration. Student always need to bring extra money to get through the summer.  Your stipend, at least $750, will be attached to your One Card.  You will not receive cash money from us.  You will be limited to the places that take the One Card on campus, which is typically the Student Stores, and Dining Halls and the campus washing/dryer machines only accept the UNC One Card.  You can dine off campus or have food delivered, but you cannot use your UNC One Card to do so, so having cash available throughout the summer is helpful.  We are working to see if we may be able to increase stipends to assist with additional costs.

• Will I get to choose my Summer Bridge roommate? Will my Summer Bridge roommate be my roommate for the fall semester? 

  • You will have the opportunity to submit your preference for who you would like to be your Summer Bridge roommate. In the past, students have submitted requests to have their Summer Bridge roommate be their roommate for the fall semester as well, so it is an option.