From Staff Reports

UNC Asheville’s just-completed fall census shows new first time student enrollment saw a 15.6 percent increase over last year and 43.6 percent over two years, according to a recent UNCA news release..

"New transfer student enrollment increased by 11.2 percent," the release stated, adding, "Total enrollment now stands at 3,055 — a 4.4 percent increase over last year — based on an incoming class of 1,027 new degree-seeking students, the third-largest in the University’s history.

"This progress marks a continuation of improvements that began last fall when enrollment was stabilized after a five-year decline of nearly 25 percent.

"Key contributors to the ongoing success include a record number of 7,914 first-time and transfer applications, up 72.4 and 23.9 percent, respectively, over the last two years.

The release quoted UNCA Chancellor Kimberly van Noort as saying. â€œOur progress in reversing earlier enrollment declines is a testament to how the campus community is collaborating to welcome more students. Together, we have sparked greater-than-ever demand for a UNC Asheville education.”

Further, the release noted, "The new Access Asheville financial aid program was an important factor in this success, accounting for 216 of the new first-time and transfer students. Access Asheville guarantees full tuition and fees – currently valued at $7,501 – for qualified North Carolina residents whose family-adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less."