Eligibility and Criteria
- An NC resident is eligible for in-state tuition as determined by the Residency Determination Service (RDS). A high school graduate or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
- Complete the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by August 15
- Meet Pell eligibility criteria: Is eligible to receive financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
- An Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less.
- Enrolled in an eligible undergraduate curriculum certificate, diploma, or degree program with no prior bachelor’s degree for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester (part-time students will receive a partial award).
- Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards as defined by the college.
- Not be in default on any State loan or grant program.
Eligibility Limitations
- An eligible student enrolled at a community college may not receive a scholarship for more than six (6) full-time academic semesters, or the equivalent if enrolled part-time, unless the student has been granted a waiver for up to one additional equivalent full-time academic semester.
- Students must remain enrolled for the term they receive the Next NC Scholarship. Students may be required to return Next NC Scholarship funds if (1) the student completely withdraws from all classes in a semester, and (2) funds were awarded and paid, but the student never attends classes.
Description
Session Law 2021-180, Section 8A.2.(a) directed the public colleges and universities for need-based financial aid consolidation. This consolidation resulted in the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship for Public Colleges and Universities and established the Scholarship Reserve Fund for Public Colleges and Universities. Beginning in FY 2023-24, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) shall administer and allocate the scholarship. In collaboration with the NC Community College System, NCSEAA will set up the annual community college payment schedule. Formally known as the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship for Public Colleges and Universities, “NC Scholarship Program”, is now the “Next NC Scholarship Program”. The program was authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2021 to provide financial assistance to needy NC resident students attending eligible colleges and universities located within the State of North Carolina, beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year. Directed by the General Assembly, the State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) administers the program pursuant to the Act and the NC Scholarship Program rules. Each eligible college and university play a role in administering the scholarships for the eligible students that it enrolls in. The Authority administers the program as directed by the General Assembly, and funding for scholarships is generally contingent on appropriations made available to the Authority for the program. The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue 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 Next NC Scholarship combines the Federal Pell Grant and other state-funded financial aid for students attending a community college that may receive at least $3000 in an academic year (fall and spring).
Application Requirements
Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Other Information
Consideration for funding is automatic once the FAFSA is filed. The FAFSA opens on October 1. Applicants should meet priority deadlines established by their institution. Late applicants may be denied if insufficient funds are available.
Eligibility is based on a calculation of need, using data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).