North Carolina's main state aid is the Next NC Scholarship, which helps residents from households earning $80,000 or less pay for community college or a public university. It combines the federal Pell Grant with state aid into one award worth at least $3,000 a year at a community college and at least $5,000 a year at a public university. You apply simply by filing the FAFSA, and eligibility is determined automatically.
If your student attends a North Carolina community college or UNC System university and your family has financial need, the Next NC Scholarship can cover tuition and more. Here is how it works for 2026-27.
What state financial aid does North Carolina offer?
North Carolina's primary program is the Next NC Scholarship, a need-based award that bundles federal and state aid for residents attending the state's public colleges. It is coordinated through the College Foundation of North Carolina and the state's community college and university systems. The state offers other targeted programs, but Next NC is the one most families use.
It builds on federal aid like the Pell Grant, which is part of the total award. For how the federal pieces fit together, see our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide.
Who is eligible for the Next NC Scholarship?
The Next NC Scholarship is for North Carolina residents with financial need attending an eligible public college. To qualify, you generally must be a resident eligible for in-state tuition, be a high school graduate or equivalency completer, have a household adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less, file the FAFSA with a resulting Student Aid Index (SAI) of 7,500 or less, take at least six credit hours a semester, and meet your school's satisfactory academic progress standards.
Key eligibility points:
- Income: a household adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less.
- SAI: a FAFSA Student Aid Index of 7,500 or less.
- Enrollment: at least six credit hours a semester, with part-time students receiving a partial award.
How much is the Next NC Scholarship?
The award depends on the type of school, with a minimum of $3,000 a year at a community college and a minimum of $5,000 a year at a public university. The money can go beyond tuition to help with fees, books, food, and housing. Because the figures are minimums, some students receive more depending on their need.
You can use the award at any of the state's 58 community colleges or 16 UNC System universities. For how grants fit a full plan, see our guide to paying for college.
How do you apply for North Carolina state aid?
You apply by filing the FAFSA, and there is no separate application for the Next NC Scholarship. The state determines your eligibility automatically from your FAFSA, so the key is filing by the priority date. For 2026-27 the FAFSA priority date is June 1 for UNC System universities and August 15 for community colleges, and applying after those dates may risk funding.
Your step-by-step path:
- File the FAFSA by your school's priority date (June 1 for universities, August 15 for community colleges).
- Confirm your North Carolina residency and in-state tuition status.
- Check details at CFNC.
- Track your college's own aid deadlines.
Your next step
The Next NC Scholarship can cover tuition and more for residents earning $80,000 or less, and the only step is filing the FAFSA by the priority date. File on time, confirm your residency, and check current details at CFNC. Read our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide for the federal side, then create your free CollegeLens plan to see your real cost at each North Carolina school.
You're doing the hard, smart work of claiming need-based aid your state offers. That is how North Carolina families make college more affordable.
-- Sravani at CollegeLens