BOONE, N.C. — North Carolinians from households earning $80,000 or less will receive a minimum scholarship of $5,000 per year to attend any University of North Carolina System institution, provided they fill out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid — FAFSA — by June 1, 2024.

“The Next NC Scholarship is yet another example of how North Carolina is making higher education more accessible and affordable,” said UNC System President Peter Hans. “We’ve worked to streamline this effort for years because we understand that for many financial aid is the deciding factor between going to college or not. The Next NC Scholarship provides money for college that students don’t have to pay back — a tremendous opportunity for North Carolinians from all corners of our state.”

The Next NC Scholarship combines federal Pell Grants and state-funded financial aid to provide students enough money to cover half, if not all, of their tuition and fees at any UNC System institution. Students with greater need can qualify for even more support. The scholarship also covers the entirety of tuition and fees at any of the state’s 58 community colleges.

Eligibility requirements include North Carolina residency, a high school diploma or equivalent and a household income requirement of $80,000 or less. North Carolina’s median household income is $66,186, according to data collected by the United States Census Bureau from 2018 to 2022. About 55% of all North Carolina households would qualify for the Next NC Scholarship, according to data provided by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. The FAFSA is a critical tool for college goers seeking grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of student financial aid. For North Carolinians from low- and middle-income families, a completed FAFSA is the only application needed to determine eligibility for the Next NC Scholarship.

Learn more about the Next NC Scholarship.

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Scholarships at Appalachian

Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate, with an average of $25 million awarded to incoming, current and transfer students each year based on need, as well as academic and athletic achievement. On average, about $4.9 million in outside aid is awarded to App State students annually. App State’s Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-App State scholarships.

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About Scholarships at App State

Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate, with an average of $25 million awarded to incoming, current and transfer students each year based on need, as well as academic and athletic achievement. On average, about $4.9 million in outside aid is awarded to App State students annually. App State’s Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-App State scholarships. Learn more at https://scholarships.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.