UTOP FAQs

UTOP is an excellent opportunity for incoming freshman students to begin their college experience early, gain seven credit hours toward their degree, start with a solid GPA foundation, get acclimated to campus early and build a support system of peers and staff across campus.

UTOP Move In:  June 28, 2025

UTOP Opening Ceremony: June 28, 2025

Summer 2 Classes begin: July 7, 2025

Summer 2 Final Exams: August 7-8, 2025

UTOP Closing Ceremony: August 4, 5:00pm 

UTOP Move Out: August 8, 2025. (Housing will email all students with further details)

The University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP) is open to all first -time incoming freshman students.

Only Summer and Fall admits are eligible to participate in UTOP.

Full and partial scholarships available.

The UTOP participant fee must be paid after submission of the UTOP application to secure a participant’s spot in UTOP.

UTOP 2025 Cost: 

The program cost comprises summer tuition and fees, summer housing cost, and the UTOP participant fee

All prospective UTOP students must complete a 2024-2025 FAFSA (in addition to the 2025-2026 FAFSA needed for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semester aid) to be evaluated for possible grant awards to cover the cost of UTOP. The Office of First Year Transition & Programs offers additional scholarship money to help cover the cost of UTOP. To be evaluated for additional scholarship aid, students must first complete the UTOP application, FAFSA applications, and submit the $250 UTOP Participant Fee. Scholarships are available for participants who demonstrate a financial need. Participants are encouraged to pay the $250 participant fee as soon as possible to be awarded available scholarships. Students can be fully awarded the cost of UTOP or be awarded 75%, 50%, 25%, $1,000, or $500 scholarships.

Students with outstanding FAFSA requirements will be disqualified from receiving a scholarship..

UTOP participants will receive their textbooks through the Niner Course Pack.

Summer 2025:

The University payment plan is available to participants who have a remaining balance after grant and/or scholarship amounts have been applied to their account.

A $15.00 fee must be paid at the time of enrollment.

Payment Plan Dates:

How to Enroll in the Payment Plan:

Follow these instructions to enroll:

1. Log in to my.charlotte.edu.
2. Click the View Account & Statements button in the My Student Account block
3. Click the Payment Plans tab then follow instructions on the screen.

*Enrollment will open on May 1, and you must complete enrollment by the payment due date

Note: Students who register after May 22 should pay their balance by the payment due date of July 8.

UTOP students must submit a summer housing application. Students must indicate UTOP participation inside on their housing application. The Summer Housing application for 2025 will be available soon!

Summer 2025: Witherspoon Hall

UTOP students must submit a summer housing application. Students must indicate UTOP participation inside on their housing application. Students must select Summer Session II. The Summer Housing application is available now! Summer Second Half Term housing charges will be placed on student accounts beginning on June 10. Please visit Summer Housing for more information!

For all questions concerning the housing application, please contact Housing and Residence Life at HRLMailbox@charlotte.edu or 704-687-7501.

Mutual roommate requests may be made through housing application and must be a fellow UTOP participant.

UTOP is a residential program, therefore all UTOP participants are required to reside in UTOP designated campus housing during the program. No exceptions. 

UTOP participants are asked to participate in the New Student Orientation prior to the first day of UTOP classes.

UTOP classes are registered for you. Approximately two weeks before the beginning of the program, you can review your class schedule inside your Banner account.

UTOP participants who have credit for the classes offered by the program may be placed in other available general education or introductory major classes. 

Summer 2025 Straight Declining Balance (DB) Plan

Purchasing a meal plan is optional for UTOP students and is not included in the cost of the program. Should you purchase a meal plan, that is an expense that the program does not cover with scholarship and grant funding.

If you have any questions regarding meal plans outside of the information we are providing, please contact the 49er Card and Meal Plan Office at 704-687-7337 or 49ercard@charlotte.edu.

The $350 Straight Declining Balance Plan offers the ultimate flexibility for purchasing meals at the dining hall or at retail locations through the Niner Diners Mobile Ordering app or on-site kiosks.

• Summer Session II
  • Valid dates: July 7, 2025-August 8, 2025
  • Price: $350 

Purchase the plan

• Students may purchase the meal plan at any time before the end of the second summer session. However, only one meal plan may be purchased per session. If students need additional funds, make a deposit to your Optional Dining Account.
• Purchase Meal Plan

Location and hours

• Market on Craver featuring Subway Grab ‘n’ Go and Fresh2U, Starbucks, and Social 704(lunch and dinner) 
• Additional on-campus retail (Bojangles, Chick-fil-a, etc.)
• DB may also be spent at the Domino’s Pizza on University City Boulevard.

For information about dining hours, please visit the Dine on Campus website or download the app from Google Play or Apple Store.

Dining Hall

Social 704

Located on the second level of the Student Union, Social 704 is sure to please every taste and every mood. Almost everything is cooked-to-order right in front of you. Choices include:

• Pizza – made in a state-of-the-art gas fired oven
• Home Cooking Kitchen – comfort foods and rotisserie chicken
• Deli – fresh sliced meats, cheeses, and fresh toppings piled high on just-baked French bread
• Grilling Station – burgers and other American favorites grilled or charbroiled as you direct
• International Fare – flavors from around the world continuously rotate
• Soup and Salad Stations – build the salad of your dreams and then let the chef make it sizzle with grilled steak, chicken, or tofu
• Waffle Bar – everything provided for Belgian waffles with all kinds of toppings
• Cereal Bar – several varieties of your favorite cereals always available with cold milk
• Vegan & Vegetarian Entrée – abundant vegetarian meat-free offerings
• Gluten-Free – ask the chef for special dishes prepared gluten-free

Retail dining

ATKINS LIBRARY

Starbucks

Serving your favorite hand-crafted beverages, coffee, tea and snacks.

PORTAL BUILDING

Smart Market

Filled with fuel that thinking people need, like fresh coffee brewed by the cup, snacks, energy and soft drinks, grab-and-go meals and sandwiches, Smart Market is powered by infrared, thumbprint recognizing, multi-camera technology to make shopping simple and secure (and very cool). 

FRETWELL BUILDING

Thoughtful Cup

A cafe service Counter Culture coffee, delicious savory and sweet treats and a variety of teas and espresso drinks. .

PROSPECTOR

South Food Court

• Bojangles Express
• Burger 704
• Chick-fil-A Express
• 49er Fresh

STUDENT UNION

Union Square

• Bojangles’
• Wendy’s
• Starbucks
• Market on Craver feat. Erberts & Gerbert’s – Featuring grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, snacks, beverages and convenience store items
• Shake Smart

SOVI

• South Village Crossing offers all-you-can-eat, buffet-style dining with a meal swipe or door rate. Fresh soup and salad, gluten-free entrees, homestyle cooking, Asian fusion, pizza and grilled entrees are available daily.

Necessities: Pillow and blankets, toiletries, blow dryer/curling iron, linens and towels, white shirt, shower sandals, shower tote, laundry basket and detergent, cleaning supplies, clothes hangers, steam iron and small ironing board, umbrella, first aid and personal medication supplies, school supplies (binder, paper, calculator, flash drive, etc.), business attire, formal wear.

Luxuries: Refrigerator, microwave, snack foods, television, laptop/tablet/computer, stereo, carpet/rug, vacuum, playing cards/games, gaming systems (Xbox, Playstation), printer.

Pets, hot plates, space heaters, multi-plug wall outlets/multi-plug extension cords, chain locks, deep fryer, electric grill/griddle, regular toaster, indoor grill (George Foreman-style), dead bolt locks, fireworks/candles/incense, firearms and/or ammunition, alcohol or alcohol related items, illegal substances (drugs or paraphernalia).

Students will need money for personal needs and optional activities.

There are two weekends that students can travel home with parent/guardian permission during UTOP. 

UTOP 2025 optional weekends:

• July 11 – 13
• July 25 – 27

Friday Check-Out: 1:30 PM, Sunday Check-In: 5:00 PM

Programs and activities are planned for the remaining weekends; participation is mandatory.

Student vehicles are not permitted during the program. All transportation will be provided for you. You may bring your vehicle to campus during the academic year (Fall/Spring). Students will be required to turn their keys in at the start of UTOP.

Fall semester commuting students can participate in UTOP. However, during the program, all students are required to stay on-campus; no exceptions. You may move off campus once that program concludes.