<p>UNC uses loans (including the parent plus) to meet the EFC with middle class families, at least they did several years ago. We were offered no grant money and a small music scholarship. My son ended up attending an LAC instead (and we are instate for UNC). The LAC really wanted him and offered to come in under UNC’s offer. Expenses ended up being 2k a year less (room, board, tuition).</p>