Next NC Scholarship

The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at any community college or more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees to attend any public university in the state.

The Next NC Scholarship combines the federal Pell Grant with the state-funded financial aid program to form a simplified and predictable scholarship award that makes education more affordable for most North Carolinians. It’s an opportunity to pursue the degree you need for the career you want – and the future you choose.

North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program

Offers at least $10,000 per year in forgivable loans to teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics or special education.

Scholarships are awarded to: Seniors in high school in North Carolina; Current NC State students transferring into the NC State College of Education or adding a double major in education; Students at other community colleges or colleges in North Carolina transferring into a teacher education program or Individuals in North Carolina already with a bachelor’s degree-seeking a teacher license

David L. Boren Awards Scholarships and Fellowships for International Study

The Boren Awards provide funding opportunities for U.S. Students to become more proficient in the cultures and languages of world regions critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide funding up to $30,000 for graduate students and up to $20,000 for undergraduate students, for full academic year or semester programs. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors may also apply for summer programs of eight weeks or longer.

Dr. Dorothy Corbett Yarborough Memorial Scholarship

Focus Area: Graduate of an Alamance County public high school; rising college junior or senior who is enrolled in a Teacher Education Program

Amount: $1,000 Renewable for one additional year

Full Description: Dr. Dorothy Corbett Yarborough dedicated her life to education, civic engagement, civil rights and community service. This scholarship aims to honor her remarkable life and legacy by supporting pre-service educators from Alamance County. Scholarship recipients must be graduates of an Alamance County public high school and enrolled as a junior or senior (in the upcoming fall) in a Teacher Education Program within a school or college of education at an accredited college or university in North Carolina. This is a $1,000 scholarship that is renewable for one additional year.

Application Deadline: February 16, 2026

Epsilon Sigma Alpha International – North Carolina State Council Scholarship Board

The Carolina council of Epsilon Sigma Alpha scholarship Board offers scholarship opportunities for students and teachers who are pursuing a degree or certification in Special Education.  The scholarship ranges from $500 to $2500 per year and is targeted to individuals training for work with exceptional children.  Current North Carolina teachers seeking additional training are also eligible.

Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS)

The “Forgivable Education Loans for Service Program” (FELS) was established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011.  The loan provides financial assistance to qualified North Carolina students who are committed to working in North Carolina in fields designated as critical employment shortage areas.

Goodnight Scholars Program

The Goodnight Scholars Program was created to assist middle-income families with the financial obligations of college.

The Goodnight Scholars Program selects students for application based on the following requirements:

• Must be a North Carolina resident.
• Major in one of the Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, or in Education to teach in one of the STEM fields.
• Must apply for admission to NC State by October 15.
• Must complete the FAFSA by February 15.  Priority is given to students from middle-income families.

Margaret E. Lucas “Full-Blooded Wolfpack” Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Margaret E. Lucas by providing scholarships to future special education professionals.

Any undergraduate or graduate student at North Carolina State University or Meredith College who is pursuing a special education degree may apply for this scholarship. 

Application deadline: May 14, 2026

TeachNC Scholarships

TEACH scholarships are awarded to future teachers in North Carolina. If you meet the overall eligibility criteria and any scholarship-specific criteria, you’ll be entered into a random drawing.

You must be admitted to a partner teaching program and enroll to receive the scholarship funds.

William Tasse Alexander Scholarship Fund

The William Tasse Alexander Scholarship Fund provides merit-based awards to undergraduate and graduate education majors from Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Established in 1982 through the will of Margery Alexander Thompson, the scholarship honors the memory of her parents and grandparents.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a rising junior, senior or graduate student in college. Exceptions may be made for lateral entry students at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
• Be a full-time student.
• Be majoring in the field of education or taking courses leading to a career in teaching.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Be a legal resident of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

Detailed information about the scholarship, including application requirements and instructions, can be found on the Foundations for the Carolinas website. The scholarship deadline to submit is Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.

More Scholarship Information

• American Indian College Fund
• The Center for Scholarship Administration
• Coca-Cola Two Year and Transfer College Scholarship and Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Four-Year Award for High School Seniors
• College Board
• The Community Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina
• El Pueblo, Inc. – Scholarships for North Carolina’s Latino Students (Click on the Higher Education Tab)
• Foundation for the Carolinas
• Hispanic College Fund Scholarship
• Gates Millennium Scholars
• Knowles Science Teaching Foundation
• Microsoft Scholarship Program
• North Carolina Alpha Delta Kappa Past State Presidents Scholarship
  • NC State student application here
• The Sallie Mae Fund
• The Voyager Scholarship – THE OBAMA-CHESKY SCHOLARSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE