Next NC Scholarship
Learn More About Next NC Scholarship
Get money for college that you don’t have to pay back.
The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at any community college or more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees to attend any public university in the state. The best part? It’s money that doesn’t have to be repaid.
The Next NC Scholarship combines the federal Pell Grant with the state-funded financial aid program to form a simplified and predictable scholarship award that’s easier to understand and makes education more affordable for most North Carolinians. It’s an opportunity to pursue the degree you need for the career you want – and the future you choose.
How much money are we talking about?
Students attending a community college will receive at least $3,000. That’s more than the cost of full-time tuition, which means qualifying North Carolinians can choose from any of the 58 community colleges across the state and have all of their tuition and fees 100% covered.
Those attending a public university in North Carolina will get a minimum of $5,000. That pays for more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees at any of the 16 public universities in the state.
Students with the greatest need for financial aid could qualify for even more funding to help make paying for college more manageable.
Who is eligible?
To receive the Next NC Scholarship, you must be:
- A North Carolina resident who is eligible for in-state tuition
- A high school graduate (high school equivalency completers are eligible)
- From a household with an annual Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less
- Enrolled in an eligible undergraduate curriculum program for the 2024-2025 academic year
- Taking at least 6 credit hours per semester (part-time students will receive a partial award)
- Meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of the school you plan to attend
- A student who has completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA, with a resulting Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below 7,500 (once complete, the financial aid office at the college/university you plan to attend will determine and confirm eligibility.)
*For a deeper look at the eligibility requirements, read the fine print.
How do I apply?
Applying is simple. Just submit the FAFSA form. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive the Next NC Scholarship. There are no additional forms to fill out.
What can I use the money for—and where can I use it?
Paying for College
Money awarded through the Next NC Scholarship can be used to cover expenses at any of the 58 Community colleges or 16 UNC System universities across the state. That goes beyond tuition to include things like fees, books, food, and housing—making college more affordable than ever for many North Carolinians. The Next NC Scholarship can help you get into many high demand fields in our state, like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, business, education, or engineering – or pursue whatever degree sparks your interest and leverages your strengths – all while lessening the burden of student loans or even eliminating it completely.
