Next NC Scholarship (2024-2025 Academic Year)
Who is eligible for the NC Opportunity scholarship
Here are the eligibility criteria for the NC Opportunity Scholarship, presented in bullet points:
- North Carolina resident eligible for in-state tuition
- High school graduate or high school equivalency completer
- 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 receive a partial award)
- Meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of the school you plan to attend
- Completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA with a Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below 7,500
The NC Opportunity Scholarship is a transformative financial aid initiative designed to support North Carolinians from households earning $80,000 or less in pursuing higher education. It covers full tuition and fees at community colleges or more than half of tuition and fees at public universities across the state, ensuring access to quality education without the burden of repayment. By integrating the federal Pell Grant with state-funded financial aid, the scholarship offers a straightforward and reliable award structure, making educational expenses more manageable for eligible students. This opportunity empowers individuals to pursue their desired degrees, paving the way for their chosen careers and future success.
Under the NC Opportunity Scholarship, students attending a community college are guaranteed to receive a minimum of $3,000, which exceeds the cost of full-time tuition. This means eligible North Carolinians can select from any of the state’s 58 community colleges and have all their tuition and fees fully covered. Those enrolled in a public university in North Carolina will receive a minimum of $5,000, covering more than half, if not all, of their tuition and fees at any of the 16 public universities statewide. To determine the exact funding you qualify for, utilize the Next NC Scholarship Calculator. Additionally, students with the most significant financial need may qualify for additional funding, providing crucial support to ease the financial burden of college expenses.
