The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that significantly reduces the cost of higher education for North Carolina residents. North Carolina’s General Assembly authorized the program in 2021 to provide financial assistance to needy NC resident students. This scholarship combines federal aid, like the Pell Grant, with state-funded financial aid to create a simpler, more predictable award. The program is specifically designed to make college affordable for most North Carolinians from middle- and low-income households.
The Next NC Scholarship ensures that eligible North Carolina students can pursue a degree at an in-state public institution. Students can choose from any of the 58 community colleges or 16 UNC System public universities across the state. This initiative helps eliminate the burden of student loans for many residents and supports the state’s goal of meeting its growing workforce needs. The Next NC Scholarship is money that students do not have to repay.
Applying for this significant scholarship is straightforward and requires no separate application form. The student’s eligibility for the Next NC Scholarship is automatically determined when they submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must complete the FAFSA, listing a UNC institution or North Carolina Community College, to be considered for funding.
Scholarship Coverage
The Next NC Scholarship provides a guaranteed minimum total amount of aid to cover educational costs. This award combines federal and state funds.
- Students attending an NC Community College will receive at least $3,000 per academic year. This amount fully covers the cost of tuition and fees at any of the 58 North Carolina community colleges.
- Students attending a UNC System School (4-year public university) will receive a minimum of $5,000 per academic year. This pays for more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees at any of the 16 public universities in the state.
- The scholarship award can be applied toward educational expenses beyond tuition, including fees, books, food, and housing. Students with the greatest financial need could qualify for even more funding.
Eligibility Criteria
There are seven key eligibility requirements for the Next NC Scholarship. Eligibility is primarily determined by your financial information submitted on the FAFSA.
- Be a North Carolina resident who is eligible for in-state tuition. The Residency Determination Service (RDS) confirms residency status.
- Have a household with an annual Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less.
- Have a resulting Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below 7,500 after completing the FAFSA.
- Be a high school graduate (high school equivalency completers are eligible).
- Be enrolled in an eligible undergraduate curriculum program for the academic year.
- Be taking at least six credit hours per semester (part-time students receive a partial award).
- Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of the school you plan to attend.
Application Process
The application process for the Next NC Scholarship is simple and requires one key action.
- To apply for the Next NC Scholarship, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- The FAFSA collects all financial information required to determine eligibility for the scholarship.
- The college’s financial aid office automatically determines and confirms your eligibility after your FAFSA is processed. There are no additional forms to complete.
Deadline
Students must submit the FAFSA by the priority dates to ensure they qualify for their maximum potential award.
- The FAFSA priority date for students planning to attend a UNC System Institution is June 1 for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- The FAFSA priority date for students planning to attend an NC Community College is August 15 for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Applications are reviewed after these dates in the order received, and funding will be awarded as available.
