North Carolina Early High School Graduate Scholarship

Description

The Early High School Graduate Program provides scholarships to high school students who graduate within three years of entering the ninth grade. The grant is available for no more than two semesters in the two academic years immediately following a student’s graduation from high school provided the recipient is enrolled full-time and maintains satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution for financial aid eligibility purposes. .

Eligibility

• Graduate from a North Carolina public high school within three years of entering the ninth grade (eff. 2025-26 school year)
• Meet the requirements for North Carolina residency per the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) process
• Be admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in a matriculated status at a University of North Carolina System institution, a North Carolina community college, or an approved North Carolina nonprofit postsecondary institution immediately following high school graduation
• Submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the US Department of Education that results in a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI)
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the enrolling institution for financial aid purposes

Application Requirements

• Complete and submit a full electronic Early High School Graduate application
• Submit an electronic copy of academic transcript that confirms completion of graduation requirements within three years of entering the ninth grade (eff. 2025-26 school year) 
• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate school year

Other Information

• Scholarship amounts are awarded based on the reported Number in Household and Adjusted Gross Income as presented on the FAFSA.
• Applications will be entered into a lottery for award consideration.