North Carolina Scholarships

The Martin Scholars Program, established by Demond and Twakia Martin, supports high-achieving UNC Charlotte students with the highest financial need by covering unmet need up to the cost of attendance, averaging about $35,000 over four years including study abroad support. Open to incoming freshmen, transfer students, and continuing students who are Pell-eligible with a Student Aid Index of $3,000 or less, North Carolina residents, and members of an honors program. Incoming freshmen must attend the UTOP summer bridge program before their first semester. Apply through the Honors College application by December 1 with FAFSA completed by January 1.

The Goodnight Scholars Program supports low- and middle-income North Carolina residents studying STEM disciplines or STEM-affiliated education majors at NC State. First-year and transfer students may receive an invitation to apply after admission. The scholarship currently pays $23,000 per year and renews up to four years for traditional students or up to two years for transfer students. Scholars also access professional development programming, travel, enrichment grants, and mentorship tied to the program's pay-it-forward mission.

North Carolina residents who are children or spouses of fallen or disabled veterans, children of injured active-duty service members, or qualifying disabled veterans with a VA disability rating of at least 50% may apply for NC Patriot Star Family Scholarships. Applicants must be accepted to or attending an accredited North Carolina post-secondary institution and show qualifying educational expenses not covered by other aid. Scholarship support is about $2,000 per semester toward cost of attendance at eligible North Carolina institutions. Renewals and disbursements depend on continued eligibility and academic standing. Apply through the administering state agency with documentation of military service, disability status, or relationship to the qualifying veteran or service member. Since 2003, the Patriot Foundation has funded scholarships for military communities. In 2020 it entered a public/private partnership with the North Carolina State Legislature to expand support for North Carolina military families.

The Textile Pioneer Scholarship Program provides need-based support to exceptional NC State Wilson College of Textiles students from non-metropolitan areas of North Carolina, including many first-generation college attendees with strong interest in the textile industry. Scholars receive a minimum of $14,000 per year for four years plus up to $4,000 in enrichment funds for study abroad and leadership activities. Students apply through the unified first-year Wilson College textiles scholarship application in PackAssist after admission and counselor or self endorsement.

The Poole College Dean's Scholars Program provides a $10,000 annual renewable scholarship for four years to high-achieving incoming first-year students from underserved counties in North Carolina who rank in the top 10 percent of their high school class. Selected students are notified upon admission and do not apply separately after enrolling. The program includes personalized mentoring, a designated academic advisor, professional development, and Poole Packways engagement. Scholars must maintain a 3.0 GPA and participate in internships, study abroad, student organizations, and leadership development.

North Carolina residents from middle-income families who show outstanding academic achievement and a strong sense of responsibility are considered for the UNC Blue Sky Scholarship when they apply for admission and submit a FAFSA by the Early Action or Regular Decision deadline. The award is aimed at students who qualify for financial aid but do not meet Carolina Covenant requirements. Blue Sky Scholars receive $7,500 per year, plus a $2,500 Carolina Works work-study offer and a one-time $2,500 enrichment grant for study abroad, internships, or research. The award is renewable, and scholars join the UNC Scholars Program.

Undergraduate students with at least one year of college completed, or graduate students, at accredited U.S. institutions whose daily lives are guided by spiritual values may apply. Preference goes to candidates residing in or attending schools in Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $7,000 and may be renewed for subsequent years. Apply with three autobiographical essays, three letters of recommendation, an official transcript, and an in-person interview. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need. Albert and Toni Roothbert established the Fund to support students whose actions reflect strong moral and spiritual values.

Nursing-specific endowed scholarship for female Belmont BSN students with demonstrated financial need who are permanent residents of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia. Students admitted to the College of Nursing are automatically considered when they apply for first-year admission by December 1 or transfer admission by February 1. Awards range from $2,000 to $7,000 based on GPA, class rank, and community involvement. No separate nursing scholarship application is required beyond admission to the nursing major.

Current and former North Carolina foster youth who were in U.S. foster care on or after their 17th birthday, were adopted from foster care after age 16, or entered kinship guardianship from foster care after age 16 may apply for Education and Training Vouchers. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens and at least 18 years old. Eligible students may receive up to $5,000 per year for up to five years or until age 26 toward accredited college or vocational training. Funding is limited and first-come, first-served. Complete the ETV application and submit semester enrollment documentation from your school confirming enrollment, cost of attendance, and unmet need. Reapply each year.

Graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Utah, or select California counties may apply for the Greenhouse Scholars Whole Person College Program. Applicants need a 3.5+ unweighted GPA and household income at or below $80,000. Up to 37 scholars receive up to $5,000 per academic year in last-dollar tuition support over five undergraduate years, plus mentorship, professional networking, leadership training, internship support, flex funding grants, and community projects. Part 1 requires a short answer response; eligible applicants are invited to Part 2 with transcripts, test scores, two recommendations, four written responses, a five-minute video, and proof of income. Finalists attend in-person interviews. Semi-finalists and finalists complete a multi-stage application process.