FREE 30-MINUTE CALL · NC FAMILIES
The Next NC Scholarship and the FAFSA, Explained
In North Carolina, the FAFSA is how students are considered for the Next NC Scholarship and other state aid. In a free 30-minute call, we'll go over what may fit your student.
30 min
phone or video
11 years
in business
12,000+
families served
30 min · phone or video
We'll look at which aid your student may be considered for.
30 min
phone or video
11 years
in business
12,000+
families served
How North Carolina's aid works
Next NC Scholarship
For North Carolina students from families earning $80,000 or less, with a Student Aid Index of 7,500 or below, at UNC System universities (at least $5,000 a year) and NC community colleges (at least $3,000 a year). There's no separate application: filing the FAFSA is how students are considered.
NC Need-Based Scholarship
For students at private colleges in North Carolina. Also considered automatically once the FAFSA is filed.
Pell Grant
Federal aid for students with financial need. It also comes from the FAFSA.
File early
For UNC System universities, the Next NC Scholarship priority date is June 1. After that, awards depend on the funds left, so earlier is better.
Source: College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC)
Why the FAFSA comes first
- The FAFSA is free to file.
- In North Carolina it unlocks federal and state aid at the same time.
- Many colleges use it for their own aid too.
- Even families who think they earn too much should file: there's no income cutoff to file the FAFSA.
On the call
There's nothing to buy on the call.
We'll look at which North Carolina and federal aid your student may be considered for, what to file and when, and how it fits with the rest of your college costs. We'll also explain how POM works.
They made the process simple & easy, answering any questions we had regarding the complex topic that is paying for college.
Who you'll talk to: Jessica S. Ruzicka, Ed.D., Executive Director, or someone on her team. POM: 11 years in business, 12,000+ families served.