CHAPEL HILL -- UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol Folt and Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham announced a new program on Thursday that will allow athletes who did not finish their degrees to return to the university to do so.

Chancellor Carol Folt says UNC has always encouraged their athletes back in an effort to finish their education at the university. The Complete Carolina initiative, however, allows them to shape the process to get the proper funds in the correct areas.

According to Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham, a lot of NCAA schools have programs similar to the Complete Carolina program. Cunningham said, "A lot of schools have degree-completion programs, the NCAA has had a program in place for many, many years. This really formalizes our program. And really encourages and invites students to come back. And we'll actively recruit students to come back and complete their degree."

This program provides financial support for degree completion, as well as academic advising and career counseling, to former student-athletes who return to complete their degrees at any time. Scholarship costs for Complete Carolina are funded by UNC’s Department of Athletics.