2024 Guide to North Carolina Scholarships

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✔️ Edited by Unigo Staff

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.

List of North Carolina Scholarships in 2024

Check out our list of 2,610 North Carolina Scholarships in 2024 worth $9M.

L. Phil and Alice J. Wicker Scholarship

$500 Award Amount

1 Award

Dec 31 Deadline

The L. Phil and Alice J. Wicker Scholarship is for a licensed radio amateur with a general class or higher license who is a resident of and attends college in the ARRL Roanoke Division (North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia). The student must be pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher in electronics, communications, or related fields.

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North Carolina Hispanic College Fund Scholarship Program

$6,000 Award Amount

26 Awards

Jan 15 Deadline

This scholarship is open to high school seniors at and recent (within two years) graduates of North Carolina high schools who are of Hispanic/Latino descent. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

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Vernon James 4-H Family Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 3 Deadline

This scholarship is available for high school seniors who are 4-H members and plan to attend North Carolina State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Preference goes first to applicants from Pasquotank County, NC. If no qualified applicants are available, then preference goes to applicants from Camden, Currituck, Perquimans and Chowan counties in NC.

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Victoria Jean Cope Scholarship

$750 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 3 Deadline

This scholarship is available for North Carolina high school seniors who are 4-H members. Students must 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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George H. Hitchings New Investigator Award in Health Research

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for U.S. and Canadian students who are in the second year of a doctoral program in veterinary medicine at North Carolina State University.

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Gertrude B. Elion Mentored Medical Student Research Award

$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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Everett and Trudy Suddeth Scholarships of Excellence for Undergraduates

$2,500 Award Amount

20 Awards

Mar 25 Deadline

This scholarship is available for current undergraduate students in North Carolina who are employed by a grocery store or who have a parent/guardian who is employed by a grocer.

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NCRMA College Student Scholarship Program

$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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NCRMA High School Student Scholarship Program

$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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Carol Bond Fund Community College Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 28 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are pursuing a degree in environmental sciences or environmental education at a community college in North Carolina during the upcoming academic year. Students must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.

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NC Safewater Fund/GHD Clean Water Fund Scholarship

$4,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 28 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are first-year graduate students studying engineering with a concentration in the water environment in an ABET-accredited engineering curriculum at a University of North Carolina campus. Students must be residents of North Carolina and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

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Tien Bui Memorial Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors from Forsyth County (NC) high schools who will attend North Carolina State University's College of Engineering. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and high ACT/SAT scores; students must also demonstrate financial need, although merit will be given greater consideration.

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Elmer and Rosa Lee Collins Scholarship

$12,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors from Forsyth County (NC) high schools who have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and a challenging course selection. Students must also demonstrate financial need, although merit will be given greater consideration.

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Law Enforcement Benefit Scholarship

$1,767 Award Amount

4 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to dependent children of slain officers from the Winston-Salem Police Department, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, or N.C. State Highway Patrol (located in Forsyth County). Students may be high school seniors or already enrolled in postsecondary education; students who have already left home and are self-supporting are not eligible.

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L. Gordon, Jr. and June D. Pfefferkorn Scholarship

$20,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. high school seniors who attend Forsyth County (NC) high schools and plan to attend an accredited four-year North Carolina college/university. Students must have an unweighted grade point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate some financial need.

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Annie S. Alexander Memorial Scholarship

$1,800 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to incoming and current undergraduate nursing students from Forsyth County, NC, who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must demonstrate some financial need, although merit is given greater consideration; preference is given to African-American students.

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William H. Andrews/HAWS Scholarship

$900 Award Amount

4 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to traditional and non-traditional undergraduate students who live in housing owned or managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Winston-Salem. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher (college students who have been out of school for two or more years with lower grades may be considered on a case-by-case basis).

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William Ragsdale Froelich Memorial Scholarship

$1,500 Award Amount

4 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to high school seniors who are residents of Alleghany County, NC, who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must demonstrate financial need, community involvement and/or employment, and a desire to impact the world in a positive manner.

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Trina M. Batchelor Memorial Scholarship

$1,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to high school seniors who attend a Forsyth County (NC) high school and reside in the Winston-Salem Foundation's service area. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need (not limited to lower incomes).

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Douglas Gray Kimel Scholarship

$500 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to residents of Forsyth County, NC, who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in music. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and some financial need; preference is given to applicants who are Moravian and/or are studying to enter a church-related vocation.

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Claire Tillson Gladding Scholarship

$500 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to high school seniors who attend a Forsyth County (NC) high school and reside in The Winston-Salem Foundation's service area. Students must: have been involved in and intend to remain involved in the area of fine arts or performing arts; have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; and must demonstrate financial need.

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Sergeant Mickey Hutchens Leadership Scholarship

$750 Award Amount

2 Awards

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors from Forsyth and Yadkin counties in North Carolina who demonstrate outstanding leadership, integrity, school service, and significant community service; preference is given to dependents of an active member of a local law enforcement agency. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and some financial need.

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Salem Lodge #139/Robert A. Miller Memorial Scholarship

$500 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to African-American high school seniors who attend Forsyth County (NC) high schools and plan to attend a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). Students must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher and demonstrate financial need; merit and need are equally weighted.

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Sam L. Booke, Sr. Scholarship

$6,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors who attend a Forsyth County (NC) public high school. Students must plan to pursue an undergraduate mathematics degree and rank in the top 15 percent of their class.

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F.A. and Charlotte Blount Scholarship

$12,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 1 Deadline

This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors from Forsyth County, North Carolina, who are African-American or Hispanic. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need; academic merit will be given greater consideration than financial need.

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Understanding Scholarships In North Carolina

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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 2024

Charlotte skyline at sunset, showcasing its modern architecture and vitality.

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?

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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

Sunset over Asheville, NC, with colorful skies and mountain backdrop.

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.