Need money for college? Check out North Carolina’s ‘Next NC’ program

Overview

For families earning $80,000 or less, North Carolina’s Next NC scholarship covers full tuition and fees at public community colleges and more than half of those costs if you enroll at a public university. The program first made community college free for in-state qualifying students in 2024.

What you need to know

What is Next NC?

NextNC is a program to help students in North Carolina attend college.

If a student who lives in North Carolina completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), eligibility is determined automatically for the Next NC scholarship.

If you’re eligible (based on household income limits and other requirements below), the financial aid is automatically awarded and applies to your bill for tuition and fees after enrollment.

Who is eligible for the Next NC scholarship?

Students who meet the following criteria are eligible for the program:

N.C. resident (check residency status here)
Household income at or below $80,000
High school graduate (or GED equivalent) seeking to attain their first associate’s or bachelor’s degree
Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours
Not in default of any state loans or grants
Has a Student Aid Index at or below 7,500 (This number comes from your FAFSA; here’s how to find it.)
Meet Pell eligibility criteria (you can check here)

Do I have to pay the money back?

No, it’s not a loan.

How much is the Next NC Scholarship?

Eligible students receive at least $3,000 toward tuition and fees for any of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges or $5,000 for any of the state’s 16 public universities. Students with a higher financial need could receive more funding.

What does the money cover?

The Next NC Scholarship effectively makes community college tuition-free for eligible students. For four-year public universities, the scholarship covers more than half of the tuition and fees costs. In North Carolina, tuition and fee costs at public institutions range from $3,300 to $9,000 (here’s a chart that breaks down the costs at each university).

The scholarship amount likely won’t be enough to cover all the costs an average college student will have. But if you’re awarded an amount higher than tuition, the scholarship funds can go towards other expenses related to college, such as textbooks, food, or student housing.

When should I apply for the Next NC Scholarship?

There is no separate application for in-state college financial aid under the Next NC Scholarship program. Students are determined to be eligible via the FAFSA.

The FAFSA typically opens every year on Oct. 1 and is due at the end of June the following year. For example, the 2025-2026 FAFSA is due on June 30, 2026.

Students should fill out the FAFSA by the priority deadline – Aug. 15 for community colleges – to receive the maximum award.

Students who want to go to a UNC System institution and haven’t yet filled out the FAFSA this year can still apply after the public university deadline (June 1). It is still possible to receive the scholarship after that date, and the state will continue to make awards until all funds are depleted.