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.
$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to U.S. and international undergraduate students who attend a school within the geographic boundaries of ASHRAE's Region IV (NC, SC, GA), or students who have graduated from a high school in Region IV. Applicants must be majoring in mechanical or architectural engineering and plan to pursue a career in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) profession.
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$789
Award Amount
1,900
Awards
Dec 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to students who plan to attend or are currently attending a participating North Carolina community college and reside in a qualifying North Carolina county. Students must demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to high school seniors who attend a Forsyth County (NC) high school and plan to attend an HBCU to major in education or hospitality. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
Students attending any of the 74 NC public community colleges or 16 NC public universities are eligible to apply for NC Reach. Private colleges and universities, as well as all out of state colleges and universities, are NOT eligible to receive NC Reach funds. Click to learn more and apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Queen City Metropolitan Chapter offers two non renewable merit/need Based scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. Click to learn more and apply today!
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$25,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 28
Deadline
In partnership with UNCF, Smartwool offers one $2,500 Go Far Feel Good Scholarship to college sophomores and juniors who attend a partner HBCU in either Tennessee or North Carolina.
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$4,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jun 15
Deadline
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is seeking submissions for its essay contest. The contest is open to all students currently in grades 9 through 12 from Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Students are invited to consider and share their thoughts on the question: "Is the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause sufficient to secure the rights of all citizens, or is the ERA necessary to promote gender equality?
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) – Eastern Regional Chapter (ERC) is pleased to announce a scholarship program in honor and recognition of 1.6 million American Veterans who served in the Korean War during the Korean War era (June 25, 1950–January 31, 1955). These men and women answered the call to fight for a country and people they never knew and never met. More than 54,000 Americans died and 103,000 were wounded.
To express our gratitude to these veterans for their sacrifices, KASF-ERC will offer their descendants an opportunity to apply for a scholarship. KASF-ERC scholarship program will recognize outstanding students who have demonstrated outstanding talents and potential for success. Awardees will receive a check of $2,000 scholarships from KASF and be able to attend the KASF-ERC Award Ceremony & Banquet in Vienna, VA.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Aug 31
Deadline
The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid offers scholarship opportunities to enrolled students at North Carolina State University. For the Chancellor's Leadership Scholarship, applicants must be an incoming freshman with demonstrated leadership potential, academic achievement, personal talent, unique work/service experience and an understanding of and an appreciation for diversity, demonstrated financial need. Must have a 3.0 GPA. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's website.
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 30
Deadline
The Family Matters' Scholarship is funded by the Fall 2019 initiates of the Nu Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The scholarship was established on the merit of providing additional resources to Black women who illustrate core values of Scholarship and Service, alike our beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated's mission.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 24
Deadline
Blossom Law provides valuable and compassionate legal services to families who are often juggling bills and struggling with debt. Charlotte bankruptcy attorney Rashad Blossom personally understands the integral role that a family can play in times of hardship, and he appreciates the strong foundation that family members can provide, especially when they provide care for their loved ones.
In honor of his mother, Bobbie Blossom, who was a caregiver for his father, Rashad established The Blossom Law Caregiver Scholarship in 2022 to offer financial relief to students who have a parent who has been the primary caregiver for a loved one or who have served as caregivers themselves. Twice a year, Blossom Law offers college students the opportunity to receive $1,000 through the Blossom Law Caregiver Scholarship. The award may be used to supplement the costs of tuition, room and board, and other educational expenses.
To reach our scholarship team with questions or concerns, please contact us at
[email protected].
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
The Epilepsy Reach Foundation members and volunteers are committed to helping those living with epilepsy and their families reach success by providing guidance and support through informative resources, financial assistance for medication and education, and career services for professional development. Our mission is to empower adults and children living with epilepsy in underserved Southeastern U.S. communities by offering aid and support to enable their success.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 7
Deadline
As we contemplated providing academic scholarships to parents who have faced an unplanned pregnancy, chosen life for their child, and now wish to pursue higher education, we sought guidance through prayer. Our concerns about whether we would be able to raise the necessary funds to make a significant contribution vanished when an unexpected anonymous donation arrived. This generous donation inspired us to take action and turn this idea into a reality! We are delighted to offer assistance to one or more selected North Carolina applicants in the 2023-2024 school year who have chosen life for their child and now face the demanding task of balancing the responsibilities of parenthood with their pursuit for higher academic achievement.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Oct 23
Deadline
The Charlotte Area Liaison Group (CALG) was formed in 1991 and is based on the belief that improved and expanded communications between regulatory agencies and contractors, constituency and other groups will result in greater employment opportunity. CALG promotes affirmative action and equal employment opportunity by working closely with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and related administrative agencies to advocate the positions and viewpoints of its constituents, shape regulatory and legislative outcomes and educate constituents on developments regarding regulatory changes.
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$1,400
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for 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.
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$10,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who are enrolled in a hospitality management program and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Applicants must attend and be nominated by an American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) member school.
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$2,500
Award Amount
20
Awards
Mar 25
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in North Carolina who work for a grocery store or have a parent/guardian who is currently employed by a grocer.
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$8,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This undergraduate scholarship is open to residents of Forsyth County, North Carolina, who have been in foster care or had two deceased parents prior to their 18th birthday. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher or received a GED, and must demonstrate financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open 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 and demonstrated financial need, leadership, service, and community involvement.
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$6,000
Award Amount
6
Awards
May 28
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in the following NC counties: Wake, Durham, Orange, Johnston, Nash, Wilson, Alamance, Chatham, Franklin, Granville, Person and Caswell. Applicants must be accepted to and registered with an accredited college or university in the U.S.
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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 2024
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
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff