ATTENTION NC 529 Account owners:  Beginning at 4 pm ET on April 23, 2026, online Account transactions will be frozen as the NC 529 Plan replaces the Age-Based Tracks with new Target Enrollment Portfolios.  Please ensure that any Account changes, transactions, and enrollment applications are completed PRIOR to this time. READ MORE HERE.

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.