Special notice for 2026 high school graduates: 
Final transcripts will start sending on June18th if you used CFNC to send your transcript earlier in the year. Many colleges take 2-3 weeks to process final transcripts. Check your transcript status in My Dashboard. For more information, visit the Transcript FAQ page.

NC Need-Based Scholarship for Private College Students

AMOUNT

Amount Varies

AWARDS AVAILABLE

Until funds are exhausted

DEADLINE

Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

Description

Created by the 2011 North Carolina General Assembly, this is a need-based program for North Carolina residents attending private institutions of higher education located in North Carolina.

Eligibility

  • Be a North Carolina resident as well as a North Carolina resident student for tuition purposes, as defined by North Carolina Residency Manual
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate student in at least 6 credit hours at a qualifying private North Carolina campus
  • Not have a previous bachelor’s degree
  • Demonstrate a certain level of financial need based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Meet requirements for the Federal Pell Grant (except the SAI range used for Federal Pell Grant awards)
  • Be Title IV eligible

Application Requirements

Other Information

Consideration for funding is automatic once the FAFSA is filed. 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).  Students with SAIs of 15,000 or less are eligible.