North Carolina scholarships and grants
Every program the state of North Carolina runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Hide service scholarships (1) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
NC Need-Based Scholarship for Private College Students
Amount variesNorth Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)
Apply any timeNeed-based state grant for NC residents attending an eligible private, nonprofit NC college.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students, adults going back to school
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: Must be Title IV eligible and meet Federal Pell Grant requirements (except the Pell SAI range)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Next NC Scholarship
At least $5,000 per year at a UNC System university; at least $3,000 per year at an NC community college (federal Pell + state funds combined)North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) / College Foundation of North Carolina
Apply any timeGuaranteed aid for NC residents from households earning $80,000 or less: at least $5,000/yr at a UNC System university or $3,000/yr at an NC community college (federal Pell + state aid combined).
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students, adults going back to school
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: Must meet federal Title IV (Pell) eligibility
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Golden LEAF Community Colleges Scholarship
Up to $2,250 per school year (curriculum students); up to $1,850 per year (occupational/continuing education programs)Golden LEAF Foundation (through NC community colleges)
Check datesUp to $2,250 a year for community college curriculum students (up to $1,850 for occupational programs) from qualifying NC counties with financial need.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship
Up to $14,000 ($3,500 per school year for up to 4 years; transfers $3,500/yr for up to 3 years)Golden LEAF Foundation (administered by NCSEAA)
Opens later$3,500 a year (up to $14,000) for students from qualifying rural NC counties attending a participating NC college or university who intend to return to rural NC.
- What it takes: state application + transcript + FAFSA
- For high school seniors, students starting college, transfer students
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Usual timing: Annual; application opens mid-January, due March 1 (2027-28 cycle: opens January 11, 2027, due March 1, 2027)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Tuition Waiver for Current and Former Wards of the State (Foster Youth)
Waiver of any tuition still owed after other financial aidState of North Carolina (UNC System institutions and NC community colleges, G.S. 115B-2(a)(5))
Apply any timeLast-dollar tuition waiver at UNC System universities and NC community colleges for NC residents aged 17-23 who are, or were at 18, wards of the State and are eligible for Chafee ETV.
- Who it's for: Current or former ward of the State of North Carolina (foster youth) eligible for Chafee ETV
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition Waiver for Survivors and Dependents of NC Public Safety Officers
Full tuition waiver (tuition only; fees and books not included)State of North Carolina (UNC System institutions and NC community colleges, G.S. 115B)
Apply any timeFree tuition at UNC System universities and NC community colleges for survivors of NC law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters and rescue squad workers killed in the line of duty, and for spouses and children of those permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: Survivor, spouse or child of an NC law enforcement officer, correctional officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter or rescue squad worker killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
NC Reach (Child Welfare Postsecondary Support Program)
Last-dollar award; amount determined each semester by DHHS based on budgetNC Department of Health and Human Services (funds disbursed by NCSEAA)
Check datesLast-dollar state scholarship plus case management for students who aged out of NC foster care or were adopted from it at 12 or older, at NC public universities and community colleges.
- Who it's for: Former NC foster youth: aged out of NC foster care, adopted from NC foster care on or after the 12th birthday, or exited to guardianship through KinGAP at age 14
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance (State TA)
Up to the highest annual tuition charged by an NC State educational institution, or a lesser amount set by the Secretary within available fundsNC Department of Public Safety / North Carolina National Guard
Check datesService scholarshipThe catch: Have at least 2 years of NC National Guard service left after each funded term, or extend 2 years; repayment terms are on the official page.
State tuition assistance for active NC National Guard members at NC public, private nonprofit and approved proprietary schools, in exchange for at least two more years of Guard service.
- Who it's for: Active member of the North Carolina National Guard
- What it takes: membership + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school, transfer students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
NCSSM and UNCSA Tuition Grant (UNC Tuition Grant Program)
Grant equal to the cost of tuition (no fees) at a UNC System institutionNorth Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)
Opens laterFull in-state tuition at any UNC System university for graduates of the NC School of Science and Mathematics or the UNC School of the Arts high school.
- Who it's for: Graduate of the NC School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) or the UNC School of the Arts (UNCSA) high school
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: Must have Title IV (federal aid) eligibility confirmed on the ISIR
- Usual timing: One-time application on NCSEAA MyPortal, open March to June 30 of the senior (graduation) year
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans
Tuition + fees (+ room & board for most classes) at UNC/community colleges; $7,000 at private colleges ($2,800 for Class I-B)NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NCDMVA); funds disbursed by NCSEAA
Opens laterTuition, fees and (for most classes) room and board at NC public colleges, or a set award at private NC colleges, for children of deceased, disabled, combat or POW/MIA wartime veterans.
- Who it's for: Child of a qualifying wartime veteran (deceased, disabled, combat-zone, or POW/MIA)
- What it takes: state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Usual timing: Deadline February 14 when the veteran's disability is under 100% service-connected or the veteran served in a combat zone; NCDMVA approves on a rolling basis. The Fall 2026 portal is closed.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.