Did you know the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the first public university in the United States? It comes as no surprise that residents in North Carolina and students of the Tar Heel State make higher education a priority. In addition to UNC Chapel Hill, North Carolina has some fantastic colleges and universities to consider including East Carolina University (ECU), North Carolina State University (NC State), Wake Forest University, High Point University, and Duke University just to name a few!
North Carolina is a popular place to go to college with over half a million students attending 110 colleges and universities in North Carolina in 2024! With the rising costs of tuition, the dreams of a college education may seem almost out of reach. Luckily, there are plenty of scholarships in North Carolina for students to help pay for the costs of college.
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for North Carolina high school seniors who are 4-H members with an outstanding record in foods and nutrition. Students must plan to attend an institution of higher education in North Carolina.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 3
Deadline
This scholarship is available for North Carolina high school seniors who are 4-H members that have attended the 4-H Electric Congress. Students must live within the service area of Duke Energy, and plan to attend an institution of higher education in North Carolina in the fall of the year that they apply for the scholarship.
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$50,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 15
Deadline
This award is available for graduating high school seniors who are planning to attend Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Applicants must enroll full time, and be high-achieving, well-rounded students. Scholars also have access to generous funding for two semesters of study abroad.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 21
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school juniors and seniors who participate in a mathematical modeling challenge as part of a school-based group.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for international and U.S. high school seniors who plan to attend Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Successful applicants have pursued the most challenging curriculum available to them and have achieved grade point averages and SAT scores that are often in the top 1 percent of their class, with SAT-1 scores above 1500.
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$2,000,000
Award Amount
40
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who plan to attend North Carolina State University. Students must have taken AP or IB courses; recipients typically have a grade point average of 'A' and an SAT score above 1190.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who have been involved with Becca's Closet are eligible to apply for this award. Students must enroll full time and have an unweighted grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 29
Deadline
Rebecca was a passionate, bright, fun-loving young woman who loved being with her friends and felt that no one should miss a high school event because they couldn’t afford to be there. She saw the inequity in the situation and sought to change things. During the Spring of her sophomore year, Becca singlehandedly collected and donated over 250 formal dresses and helped hundreds of girls across South Florida attend their High School proms in style.
To keep Becca's dream alive, countless dedicated people throughout the United States have joined forces to provide opportunities for those who seek them. Although the core mission of Becca's Closet, located in the Festival Marketplace in Pompano Beach, FL, was to collect and distribute dresses to high school girls with financial need, our goals have expanded to offer additional opportunities for deserving young people. In the spirit of Rebecca's visions and aspirations, our foundation raises funds to award post-secondary educational scholarships recognizing the exemplary efforts of young men and women nationwide who demonstrate Becca's spirit of generosity in their own communities.
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$6,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. incoming freshmen who are not residents of Kentucky and demonstrate financial need are eligible for this award. Students must attend Bellarmine University in Kentucky.
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$10,000
Award Amount
12
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This award is for high school seniors with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate critical financial need and are residents of North Carolina.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available to North Carolina students who are members (or have parents who are members) of a church affiliated with the North Carolina Baptist State Convention. Students must be committed to preparing for full-time Christian ministry.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1
Deadline
This award is for an international or U.S. student who is majoring in engineering and plans to work in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) profession. The applicant must attend one of the eligible institutions and be in the third year of a four year program, or the fourth year of a five-year program.
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$80,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
High school seniors or undergraduate students who have attended a Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools District high school are eligible for this award. Students must be immigrants to the United States who came to the country with or without parents OR a first-generation United States citizen of immigrant parents or guardians.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 15
Deadline
U.S. female medical students who have an interest in health-related research are eligible for this award. Students must have completed one or more years of medical school and plan to conduct research at Duke University Medical Center or UNC at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Residents of North Carolina who have been admitted to a program in North Carolina offering a master's degree or doctoral degree in nursing education, practice, or administration are eligible for this award. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Residents of Chatham, Durham, Orange, Wake, or Person counties in North Carolina who are incoming or current undergraduate nursing students are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 31
Deadline
Registered nurses who are residents of North Carolina and have been admitted to a bachelor's or master's degree program in nursing in North Carolina are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 1
Deadline
North Carolina high school seniors or older students who are enrolled in a state- or federally recognized tribe are eligible for this award. Students must pursue a two- or four-year degree.
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$20,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are in their third, fourth, or fifth year of undergraduate study in landscape architecture at a LAAB-accredited institution. Students must be members of ASLA and demonstrate financial need.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is for international and U.S. students who are in their final year of full-time undergraduate study in landscape architecture at a LAAB-accredited institution. Applicants must show a proven contribution to the design of public spaces that integrates landscape design and the use of amenities to promote social interaction.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to international and U.S. students who are in their final two years of undergraduate study or are in graduate programs at a LAAB-accredited institution. Students must be studying landscape architecture with a demonstrated interest and aptitude in the design of play environments.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 4
Deadline
This scholarship is for U.S. students who are licensed radio amateurs (novice class or higher) pursuing a bachelor of science degree in any field of engineering. Students must reside in North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia; students must demonstrate financial need.
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$2,500
Award Amount
6
Awards
Mar 25
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in North Carolina who are employed in retail or who have a parent or legal guardian who is employed in retail. Selection will be based on work history and academic achievement.
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$2,500
Award Amount
6
Awards
Mar 25
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current undergraduate students in North Carolina who are employed in retail or have a parent/guardian who is employed in retail. Selection will be based on academic merit, employment history, and other contributions to the community through service and volunteer work.
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$6,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship program is open to U.S. undergraduate students who are enrolled full time in a hospitality management degree-granting program. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher (with the exception of the Conrad Hilton Fund, which accepts students with grade point averages of 2.0 or higher).
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Understanding Scholarships In North Carolina
Before we introduce the various grants and scholarships available for going to college in North Carolina, it is important to understand the cost of going to school in North Carolina. If you are attending UNC Chapel Hill and are a resident of the Tar Heel state, you will pay $7,020 in undergraduate tuition and just under $2,000 in fees, for the 2024-25 school year. Out of state students can expect to pay over $40,000 in tuition and fees.
Tuition and fees at NC State is roughly the same for North Carolina residents and $33,034 for out-of-state residents. Tuition and fees at other North Carolina public universities are a little more affordable. For example, in-state tuition and fees at East Carolina is $7,516 and $23,793 for students who do not live in the state.
If you are looking to attend a private college or university in North Carolina, you can expect to pay tuition and fees of up to $69,000 at Duke University. Tuition and fees at Wake Forest are just about the same. High Point University is considerably more affordable with 2024-25 tuition and fees of $47,712.
The great news is there are a good number of grants and scholarships available for students who want to study in North Carolina, that can make going to school much more affordable!
Many NC scholarships also help those who demonstrate financial need. To qualify for financial aid based on need, you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is a standard form that may help you receive a Pell Grant and other federal aid.
States also use the FAFSA to provide grants for college. The North Carolina Community College Grant is one. It is from the NC State Education Assistance Authority. Funds are up to $2,400 depending on availability. You must be a full time student in need to qualify. You also must be pursuing an undergraduate degree program.
Your scholarship search should also include scholarship programs from NC colleges. All admitted first year students at NC State University may be automatically considered for merit scholarships. Eligibility entails a 3.0 GPA. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000. They could also be renewable each year.
10 North Carolina Scholarships You Should Apply for in 2025
There are so many scholarship opportunities in the state of North Carolina. Some awards are only for North Carolina residents. Submit your application before the deadline!
Felicia Brewer Opportunity Scholarship
Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship
Glaxo Smith Kline Opportunity Scholarship
Winston Salem Foundation Scholarship
Wake Forest University Nancy S. Reynolds Scholarship
Safety in North Carolina Scholarship
Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship
PFLAG Greensboro Chapter Carter Stroupe Memorial Scholarship
NC Sheriffs Association Undergraduate Criminal Justice Scholarships
Couch Oil Cares Scholarship
How Much Does College Cost in North Carolina?
According to the NCES, attending a public four year college costs North Carolina residents an average of $17,343 per academic year. If you are an out of state student, tuition and fees average $24,274 which is slightly below the national average. It’s about $2,499 per year for a two year college or $8,496 for out of state. Private colleges also tend to cost more.
Full Ride North Carolina Scholarships
Some NC colleges like NCSU, Duke, and UNC Chapel Hill offer full ride scholarships in NC. Full ride scholarships may cover tuition, fees, and room and board. It tends to pay for your entire four year degree program. These awards typically are given to college students with outstanding academic achievements. NC colleges with these scholarship funds typically offer them to new high school seniors entering as incoming freshmen.
Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill offer the Robertson Scholars Leadership program. It covers eight semesters of full tuition, fees, and room and board. Scholars also access funding for up to three summer experiences. Other benefits also include paid conferences and two study abroad semesters.
North Carolina State University offers the Park Scholarship. It is a four year full ride scholarship. About 40 new undergraduate students receive an award each year. The current award amount is $112,000 for in state students and $203,000 for out of state students. It also typically covers tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, and personal expenses. Selectees also access early course registration and score an invite to the University Scholars or Honors program.
Scholarships for Graduate Students in NC
There are plenty of scholarships for graduate students in NC if you need financial assistance. According to NCES, in 2017 to 2018, the average tuition and fees of graduate school was $18,416. Various colleges partner with the National Science Foundation. For example, NSF Cyber Corps Scholarship for Service is a full ride scholarship for graduate students in NC. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is one of the providers.
Eligible students must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in cybersecurity. Each SFS scholar receives support for up to two years or three years for PhD. That includes tuition, fees, stipend for housing, meals and more. You also must be a United States citizen. Selected recipients also sign a contract to work in a government cybersecurity job after graduation.
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
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Edited by Unigo Staff