North Carolina, home to the oldest state university in the U.S., is a state in the SouthEastern region of the United States offering North Carolina Scholarships. The University of North Carolina system now encompasses 17 public universities including North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Duke University among others.
It comes as no surprise then why there are numerous scholarship opportunities available to residents of North Carolina or International students wishing to study in a North Carolina institution.
Therefore, to cover the cost of tuition, accommodation, meals, books and other costs associated with schooling as well as to ensure the continuance of tertiary education in the state, here are 20 scholarship opportunities to check out.
1. Furman University Charles H. Townes Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. high school seniors who reside outside of South Carolina and plan to attend Furman University.
Students must demonstrate high academic achievement and a strong commitment to civic leadership and community service.
The value of the scholarship is $35,000 annually and is renewable for up to three years if the student maintains a grade point average of 2.7 or higher.
The deadline for applying is January 5th.
This scholarship opportunity is available to be legal residents of the United States, who must be 13 years of age or older at the time of application.
Students must plan to attend college at least half-time during the academic year. There are four awards in all offered annually: one per quarter. The value is $10,000 and the deadline for applying is December 15.
3. Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to North Carolina high school seniors who are planning to enrol full time at North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
For the current academic year, the maximum award is $12,000. It is open to graduating high school seniors who are residents of North Carolina.
The deadline for applying is January 31st.
4. Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students 16 or older.
Students must plan to attend or be attending an accredited, non-profit, four-year college or university in the 50 United States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
The value of the award is $2,500. It is awarded annually and it is non-renewable.
The deadline for applying is January 31st.
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. high school seniors who are currently involved in high school or after-school sports.
Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must be entering a four-year accredited U.S. college or university in the fall of 2026.
The scholarship value is $20,000, distributed in four equal, annual instalments.
The deadline for applying is December 14.
6. Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to High school seniors with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher who are residents of an area serviced by the Comcast are eligible for this award.
The scholarship value is $2,500, awarded annually, and non-renewable. It is open to only U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The deadline for applying is December 7.
7. Cancer for College Carolinas Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Applicants must live in or attend a college or university in North or South Carolina.
The scholarship value ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 annually. It is open to U.S. students and international students studying in the U.S.
The deadline for applying is January 31.
8. Gary Wagner, K3OMI, Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. students who have licensed radio amateurs (novice class or higher) pursuing a bachelor of science degree in any field of engineering.
Students must live in North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia; and show financial need.
American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Foundation, administers the scholarship Inc annually. The total value is $1,000 and is non-renewable.
The deadline for applying is January 31st.
9. North Carolina A&T Matching Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to undergraduate students at North Carolina A&T State University who are majoring in transportation, safety, urban planning, environmental disciplines, public services, or a specific transportation-related discipline.
The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) annually administers the scholarship. The total value is $3,000 annually and is non-renewable.
The deadline for applying is February 1st.
10. AGCO Dealer Scholarship Program
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who are members of the Future Farmers of America.
Students must be from an eligible FFA chapter as identified by AGCO dealers. The National Future Farmers of America administer the scholarship (FFA) Organization annually.
The total value is $1,000 and is non-renewable.
The deadline for applying is February 1st.
11. Shirley A. Dreyer Memorial Endowment Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of North Carolina.
The student must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The administrator is the ESA Foundation, and the value is $1,400 annually. It is non-renewable.
The award may be applied toward tuition, registration fees, books, dormitory fees, or any other college fees or academic expenses.
The deadline for applying is February 1st.
12. Wilhelmina M. & Richard Herbin Endowment Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of North Carolina and studying business or business management at eligible North Carolina public institutions.
Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The administrator is the ESA Foundation, and the value is $2,200 annually. It is non-renewable.
The deadline for applying is February 1st.
13. ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. students who are in their third, fourth, or fifth year of undergraduate study in landscape architecture at an LAAB-accredited institution. Students must be members of ASLA and show financial need.
The administrator is Landscape Architecture Foundation, and the value is $5,000 annually. It is non-renewable.
The deadline for applying is February 1st.
14. GE Women’s Network Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. female undergraduate students who are majoring in certain fields of engineering or computer science, are members of the SWE, and attend a preferred school.
Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and plan to enroll full time. The administrator is the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and the value is $5,000 annually. It is non-renewable.
The deadline is February 15th.
15. A. Ruth Hutchins Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to undergraduate students who are residents of Forsyth or Yadkin counties in North Carolina. Preference will be given to students pursuing degrees in music or music ministry.
Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The administrator is the Winston-Salem Foundation, and the value is $1,000 annually. It is non-renewable.
The deadline is April 1st.
16. A.F. Clement Trust Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to residents of Forsyth County, North Carolina, who have been in foster care or had two deceased parents prior to their 18th birthday.
The administrator is the Winston-Salem Foundation, and the value is $2,000 annually. It is renewable for up to three additional years if the student maintains full-time enrollment and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
The deadline is April 1st.
17. Annie S. Alexander Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to incoming and current undergraduate nursing students from Forsyth County, NC, who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Preference is given to African-American students.
The administrator is the Winston-Salem Foundation, and the value is $1,800 annually. It is non-renewable.
The deadline is April 1st.
18. Alice Conger Patterson Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to women 23 years of age or older and attend or plan to attend select NC institutions.
Students must have a grade point average of 2.6 or higher, pursue a liberal arts degree, and show financial need.
The administrator is the Winston-Salem Foundation, and the value is $1,000 annually. It is non-renewable.
The deadline is April 1st.
19. Rover College Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity is available to U.S. high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Students must submit an essay on the current year’s topic. An administrator is A Place for Rover, Inc. The value is $1,000 annually. It is non-renewable.
The deadline is April 1st.
20. Unigo Do-Over Scholarship 2026
This scholarship opportunity is available to all U.S. students who are 13 and older and who are currently enrolled (or enrol no later than the fall of 2026) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education.
The administrator is Unigo (EducationDynamics) and the value is $1,500 annually. It is non-renewable.
The deadline is June 30.
Apply here
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the best scholarships in North Carolina?
Standouts include the Furman Townes Scholarship ($35,000 per year, renewable up to three years), Foot Locker Scholar Athletes ($20,000 over four years), the Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship (up to $12,000), Comcast Leaders and Achievers ($2,500), and Cancer for College Carolinas awards ($1,000–$5,000).
When are the application deadlines?
Deadlines vary: Furman Townes (January 5), Aubrey Lee Brooks, Discover Student Loans, Cancer for College, Gary Wagner K3OMI and Shirley Dreyer (January 31), Foot Locker (December 14), Comcast (December 7), GE Women’s Network (February 15), Annie Alexander and Alice Patterson (April 1), and Unigo Do Over (June 30).
Who is eligible for North Carolina scholarships?
Eligibility varies by award. Some require North Carolina residency or attendance at a North Carolina college, while others like ScholarshipPoints, Discover Student Loans, and the A. Ruth Hutchins award are open more broadly. Check each scholarship’s official page for exact criteria.
Are there scholarships for specific groups?
Yes. Examples include the GE Women’s Network Scholarship for female undergraduates in engineering, the Annie S. Alexander Memorial Scholarship for nursing students with preference for African-American applicants, and the Gary Wagner K3OMI Scholarship for licensed amateur radio operators.
2027 Update — Start Here: 1. Next NC Scholarship
For scholarships for college students in NC, start with the Next NC Scholarship: North Carolina residents from households with an adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less can get at least $3,000 a year at any of the 58 North Carolina community colleges or at least $5,000 a year at UNC System universities — and there is no separate application, only the FAFSA.
Next NC Scholarship — Key Details
- Award at community colleges: At least $3,000 per year at any of the 58 NC community colleges, which fully covers tuition and fees.
- Award at UNC System universities: At least $5,000 per year.
- Greater need: Students with greater need can receive more.
- Application: No separate application — FAFSA only.
Who Qualifies for Next NC?
- North Carolina residents
- Household adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less
- FAFSA with a Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below 7,500
- High school graduate
- Enrolled in 6 or more credit hours in an eligible undergraduate program
How to Apply for Next NC
- Complete the FAFSA.
- Meet the Next NC eligibility rules above — North Carolina residency, household AGI of $80,000 or less, and an SAI at or below 7,500.
- Enroll in 6 or more credit hours in an eligible undergraduate program at a North Carolina community college or a UNC System university.
The 20 North Carolina scholarships listed in this guide remain below in their original order, with their deadlines as listed — including January 5 for the Furman University Charles H. Townes Scholarship, January 31 for the Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship, February 1 for the North Carolina A&T Matching Scholarship, February 15 for the GE Women’s Network Scholarship, April 1 for the A. Ruth Hutchins Memorial Scholarship and June 30 for the Unigo Do-Over Scholarship.
See also Scholarships in Colorado and Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Next NC Scholarship?
The Next NC Scholarship is a North Carolina award for residents from households with an adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less. It is awarded through the FAFSA, with no separate application.
How much does Next NC pay?
Next NC pays at least $3,000 a year at any of the 58 NC community colleges, fully covering tuition and fees, and at least $5,000 a year at UNC System universities. Students with greater need can receive more.
Who qualifies for Next NC?
Qualifying students are North Carolina residents from households with an AGI of $80,000 or less, with a FAFSA SAI at or below 7,500. They must be high school graduates enrolled in 6 or more credit hours in an eligible undergraduate program.
How do I apply for NC scholarships?
For Next NC, complete the FAFSA — there is no separate application. For the other North Carolina scholarships in this guide, follow each award’s application steps and deadline as listed.
What are the best scholarships in North Carolina?
Start with the Next NC Scholarship, which pays at least $3,000 to $5,000 a year with only the FAFSA. This guide also lists 20 more North Carolina scholarships, including the Furman University Charles H. Townes Scholarship and the Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship.