Next NC Scholarship
For certain students with SAI ≤$7,500 and AGI ≤$80,000, combined aid has 2026–27 minimums of $3,000 at community colleges and $5,000 in the UNC System.
About Next NC Scholarship
Next NC is a simplified last-dollar program combining federal Pell with a state scholarship at North Carolina public colleges.
Students must qualify for North Carolina in-state tuition, pursue an approved diploma, certificate, or degree without a prior bachelor’s degree, and take at least six credits per term. For the 2026–27 combined minimum, the site lists an SAI of $7,500 or less and family adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less: at least $3,000 at a community college or $5,000 in the UNC System.
There is no separate Next NC application: file the FAFSA early and include the college code. For 2026–27, priority dates were June 1 for UNC and August 15 for community colleges; both have passed by October 12. Later files are reviewed in received order if funding remains. Use the institution’s aid portal to accept and clear tasks.
Who it serves and what it can cover: For certain students with SAI ≤$7,500 and AGI ≤$80,000, combined aid has 2026–27 minimums of $3,000 at community colleges and $5,000 in the UNC System.
How to apply or get help: There is no separate Next NC application: file the FAFSA early and include the college code. For 2026–27, priority dates were June 1 for UNC and August 15 for community colleges; both have passed by October 12. Later files are reviewed in received order if funding remains. Use the institution’s aid portal to accept and clear tasks. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
State student financial-aid program