Financial Resources

Scholarships

Future Teachers of North Carolina Scholarship Loan Fund

Two-year scholarship loans of $6500 per year will be available for college juniors or seniors in a teacher preparation program at any institution of higher education in NC offering a teacher education program. The student must agree to become certified in math, science, special education or English as a Second Language and reach full-time in that subject are in a North Carolina public school for three years within five years after graduation. There will be 100 scholarships available. If a recipient does not fulfill the service obligation, the recipient will have to repay the scholarship/loan in cash with interest. Visit the Paying for College section of CFNC.org for more information as it becomes available.

North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program provides $6500 a year for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a degree in teacher education at a college or university with a Teaching Fellows Program. A maximum of 400 scholarships are awarded each year to current high school seniors.

At each of the selected institutions, unique enrichment programs have been designed specifically for Teaching Fellows. These programs include activities such as seminars, cultural events, faculty mentor programs, early field experiences, and study abroad programs. Emphasis is placed on leadership development skills and activities that will give Teaching Fellows a broad range of experiences beyond the required work.

The program is funded by the NC General Assembly, governed by the NC Teaching Fellows Commission, and administered by the Public School Forum of NC. For more information about the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship program, click here.

Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan

The Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan program provides $2500 per academic year for full-time undergraduate study leading to teacher licensure or to licensure in special services areas, including school psychology, school counseling, speech/language pathology, audiology and library/media services. The loans are provided for a maximum of four years or the minimum number of years required to earn licensure based on the entry-level degree. At the community college level, $900 per year is provided for undergraduate study transferable to an approved program leading to licensure.

Funding for the program is provided by the NC General Assembly. For more information about the Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan, click here.

Teacher Assistant Scholarship Fund

The NC General Assembly established the Teacher Assistant Scholarship Fund (TASF) to provide scholarships to teacher assistants who are pursuing initial teacher licensure at four year colleges. The award is valued at a maximum amount of $4800 per academic year. These awards are grants and do not require repayment in cash or service. This program is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA). Please click here for more information about the TASF.

To explore other scholarships and grants, visit the Paying for College section of CFNC.org.

Teacher and Counselor Loan Payment Holiday

How about a holiday from making payments on your education loan?

The annual Loan Payment Holiday allowable per person is the amount of your December loan payment or $375.00, whichever is less. Since a payment is made for you that month, you'll have extra cash available just in time for holiday extras. Ten December payments will be covered for you as long as you are eligible and the program is offered.

CFI expects the Loan Payment Holiday program to continue as long as the State is experiencing a teacher shortage and the program remains permissible under applicable federal law. However, determination of the availability of this program is generally made on an annual basis, and consequently, the program is subject to change or termination without prior notice.

Eligibility Requirements

• Begin your first year of teaching or counseling in North Carolina public schools on or after July 1, 2005;

• Be employed as a full-time teacher or counselor in a North Carolina public school, or charter school located in the state, for the academic year preceding the payment holiday and at the time of the annual eligibility review;

• Have a Stafford, PLUS or Consolidation Loan in repayment with CFI;

• Use automatic draft to make your loan payments; and

• Stay current with your loan payments.

The Department of Public Instruction will identify eligible teachers and counselors and verify continued employment. CFI sends out reminders of the possible holiday when your loan(s) are in repayment.

For more information, call College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) toll-free at 866-866-CFNC.