The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue a 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.
It’s enough money to earn a tuition-free degree.
Qualifying students attending community college will receive at least $3,000. That means having their tuition and fees 100% covered at any of the 58 North Carolina community colleges. Those attending a public university in the state will get a minimum of $5,000, which 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 also go toward books, food, and housing.
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. The Next NC Scholarship priority filing date is June 1 for UNC System schools and August 15 for NC community colleges. After those dates, FAFSA forms are reviewed in the order received and funding will be awarded as available.
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
- Not have a previous bachelor’s degree
- Enrolled in an eligible undergraduate curriculum program for the 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 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)