STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

The following are financial aid programs available to students who are residents of the state of North Carolina. For more detailed information on state financial aid programs contact:

North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)

P.O. Box 14103

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Telephone: 919.549.8614

FAX: 919.549.8481

http://www.ncseaa.edu/PayingCollege.htm

Visit the website for information on each of the programs

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

This grant program was created by the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 signed by President Bush on February 8, 2006. The Academic Competitiveness Grant Program (ACG) awards grants to eligible financially needy students who complete a rigorous secondary school program of study. An ACG is available during a student’s first and second academic years of undergraduate education in an eligible undergraduate program.

Assistance League of the Triangle Scholarship Program

The Assistance League of the Triangle, a nonprofit volunteer organization, assists individuals in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina (Wake, Durham, and Orange Counties) through service, resources and financial support.

The scholarships are valued at $1,000 to $2500 per academic year. Funds must be used for tuition and educational expenses.

Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarships

Established in 1955 by a trust agreement of the late Aubrey Lee Brooks, these scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors from a 14-county area of North Carolina. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority provides central administration for the Brooks Foundation.

The scholarship provides for an award of approximately one-half of the cost of an Undergraduate education. Brooks Scholars may also receive funding for summer internships, research or study abroad and a one-time computer allowance up to $3,000. The scholarship is renewable, provided the recipient has continued financial need, remains enrolled full time at an eligible institution, and maintains a 2.75 cumulative grade point average and good citizenship..

Board of Governors’ Dental Scholarship-Loan Program (BGDSL)

This program is funded by the North Carolina General Assembly. Funds are available to students who have been admitted to the Dental School at UNC-Chapel Hill and demonstrate financial need and a desire to practice dentistry in North Carolina.

Board of Governors’ Medical Scholarship-Loan Program (BGMSL)

This program is funded by the North Carolina General Assembly. Funds are available to students who have been admitted to a medical school in North Carolina and demonstrate financial need and a desire to practice medicine in North Carolina.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha

The Scholarship Board of the North Carolina Council – ESA (Epsilon Sigma Alpha) is a non-profit/ tax exempt 501(c)3 organization providing scholarships to individuals training for work with exceptional children, excluding the academically gifted.

Scholarships are awarded annually in April. The amount varies from year to year and multiple recipients may be chosen. Scholarships are based on need, desire and academics – there is no requirement to join Epsilon Sigma Alpha International.

Applications available at

http://www.esa-nc.org/files/NC_Scholarship_Application.pdf

Golden LEAF Scholars Program – Two-Year Colleges

Scholarships in this category are available to:

• Rising freshmen – First-year students from qualifying counties are eligible for up to a $12,000 scholarship ($3000 per year for four years) to attend participating colleges and universities.
• Community college transfer students – Students from qualifying counties transferring from a community college to one of the participating four-year institutions are eligible for $3,000 a year for up to three years, depending on the number of credits the students

Golden LEAF Scholarship – Four Year University Program

The Golden LEAF Scholarship for public university students is funded through a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. This scholarship is designed to assist current high school seniors, current North Carolina community college students and students currently enrolled at public North Carolina four-year universities. Current public university recipients of the Golden LEAF Scholarship can reapply for the 2014-15 academic year.

Jagannathan Scholarships

Established by industrialist N.S. Jagannathan, the scholarships were first awarded for the 1996-97 academic year. The Jagannathan Scholarship program is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

The award is available to graduating high school seniors who plan to enroll as college freshmen in a full-time degree program at one of the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina. Applicant must be a resident of North Carolina. Special consideration is given to students whose parents are employees of TIEPET, Universal Fibers, and related companies. Recipients are chosen by a central selection committee on the basis of academic achievement (as indicated by class rank, cumulative GPA, and SAT scores), leadership and financial need.

North Carolina Bar Association Scholarship (NCBA)

The North Carolina Bar Association Scholarship provides to college students who are the children of slain or permanently disabled law enforcement officers.

The applications are available beginning in December. The deadline is April 1 of each year. For more information, visit the website at www.ncbar.org

North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS)

The North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS) was created by the 2005 General Assembly to provide financial assistance to needy North Carolina resident students attending eligible colleges and universities located within the state of North Carolina.

The value per grant will vary according to information that is generated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid application. Grants will range from $100 to $3,400 for the year

North Carolina Millennium Teacher Scholarship Loan Program

The North Carolina Millennium Teacher Scholarship Loan Program is a competitive program for worthy and needy North Carolina resident high school seniors who are interested in teaching in North Carolina public schools.

North Carolina Student Incentive Grant (NCSIG)

This program is offered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority through College Foundation Inc.

Applicant must 1) be a US citizen, 2) be a North Carolina resident, 3) be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full-time basis at a North Carolina postsecondary institution, 4) not be enrolled in a program designed primarily for career preparation in a religious vocation, and 5) maintain satisfactory academic progress. Award is available to undergraduates who demonstrate substantial financial need.

North Carolina 4-H Development Fund Scholarships

Recipient must be a resident of North Carolina, enrolling as an undergraduate in a four-year accredited North Carolina college or university or a junior or community college in the state, provided the program of study selected is transferable to a four-year college; have an outstanding record of 4-H Club participation and achievement; possess an excellent high school academic record; and demonstrate an aptitude for college work through SAT scores. For some of the awards, financial need is a prerequisite. Some awards have geographic restrictions to regions of the state while others are specific to a degree program or to a designated college or university.

NC Community College Grant & Loan Program

Grants are available to North Carolina residents who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled at North Carolina community colleges.

Students must be North Carolina residents enrolled for at least 6 credit hours per semester in curriculum programs. Eligibility is determined based on the same criteria as the Federal Pell Grant; students not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant may be considered for the grant based on their estimated family contribution as determined on the Student Aid Report. Students who have earned the baccalaureate (4 year) college degree are ineligible.

Progress Energy Scholarship Program

Assistance program for students enrolled at an eligible community college.

Recipient must be a North Carolina resident enrolled, or planning to enroll as a full-time student in a course of study leading to a two-year technical degree at Cape Fear Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, or Wake Technical Community College in an approved major. Recipients must maintain a GPA at or above the level required for graduation and must continue at the college where enrolled at the time of the scholarship award and for the duration of the scholarship. Contact the above-mentioned schools for a list of approved programs. Partial scholarships may be offered to continuing students who have completed half of the required course of study in their majors at one of the three colleges.

Rehabilitation Assistance for the Blind and Visually Impaired

This is a state and federally-funded program for NC residents who are blind or visually impaired.

Student must be a North Carolina resident enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at a North Carolina postsecondary institution. Student must be legally blind or have a progressive eye condition that may result in blindness, thereby creating an impediment to employment for the individual. It is presumed that an individual can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services, but it must be shown that an individual requires vocational rehabilitation services to remove the impediment to employment. The goal of assisting with postsecondary training is to enable the student to obtain employment.

State Contractual Scholarship Fund Program (SCSF)

This program was created by General Statute in 1971 and is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. It was designed by the General Assembly to assist needy North Carolina residents who choose to attend a private postsecondary institution in North Carolina.

Student must be a resident of North Carolina for tuition purposes, enrolled full- or part-time as an undergraduate in an approved NC private college or university and have documented unmet financial need. The student must not be enrolled in a program of study the objective of which is the attainment of a degree in theology, divinity, or religious education or in any other program of study that is designed by the institution primarily for career preparation in a religious vocation.

State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) Scholarships (Need-Based)

First established in 1974, the SEANC Scholarship Program provides endowments to SEANC members, their spouses, and their children to attend technical schools, community colleges, trade schools, junior colleges, or four-year universities on a full-time basis. Both need-based and merit-based scholarships are available.

The University of North Carolina Need Based Grant

Grants available for eligible students attending one of the 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina.

Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours at one of the 16 constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina. Eligibility is based on a calculation of need, using income data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Financial assistance for college available to individuals with a mental or physical disability which is an impediment to employment.

In order to qualify for this program, a student must have a mental or physical disability that is an impediment to employment. Each program is designed individually with the student. Assistance with counseling, job placement, and some support services such as interpreters, can be provided without regard to financial need. Assistance with the costs of tuition and fees, transportation, books, etc., depends upon demonstrated financial need and the student’s award from other sources of financial aid.

Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship

This annual scholarship is designed for any student who is presently enrolled in a college or university and studying education. Its purpose is to assist aspiring teachers who are particularly interested in child guidance and counseling who want to make a difference in the lives of North Carolina’s children. Eligible participants can be considered for the scholarship after approval of their program by the Board of Directors of the Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship Fund.

GlaxoSmithKline Opportunity Scholarships

Established in 1988 by Burroughs Wellcome Company in the Research Triangle Park, this program offers Triangle residents the opportunity to improve their lives through further education or training.

Latino Diamante Scholarship Fund

Diamante, Inc. is a statewide non-profit organization, working to be a catalyst for change by nourishing cultural and community participation among Hispanics in North Carolina. Diamante offers scholarships to high school seniors recognizing contributions to the community, leadership qualities, and the achievements of Hispanic youth in North Carolina.

Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship

The Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo L.L.P. is a personal injury law firm with offices in Charlotte, Hickory, Monroe and Lumberton, North Carolina. The firm will be awarding $37,500 in college scholarships to 15 graduating high school seniors who reside and attend schools in counties served by the firm. The students are judged on a number of criteria including the submission of a presentation on how to educate their peers and promote the prevention of underage drinking and driving. Presentations will be judged on students’ abilities to analyze and discuss the topic and produce a quality video/PowerPoint/brochure/website/speech.

North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA)

NCACPA’s charitable foundation, the NC CPA Foundation Inc., annually awards accounting scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, to deserving North Carolina accounting students.

North Carolina Education and Training Voucher Program

Four-year scholarship for foster youth and former foster youth.

You must have aged out of the foster care system at age 18 or were adopted from foster care with adoption finalization after your 16th birthday; you must be under 21 years of age, must be accepted into or be enrolled in a degree, certificate, or other accredited program at a college or vocational program and show progress towards that degree or certificate. You must not have personal assets greater than $10,000, must be a US citizen or qualified non-citizen, and be eligible for the NC LINKS program.

North Carolina Hispanic College Fund Scholarship

Four-year renewable awards for recent graduates of North Carolina high schools who are of Hispanic/Latino background and are committed to public service and community development.

Must have graduated from a NC high school within the past 2 years, must have a four-year cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale or a 3.5 on a 5.0 scale, and must be accepted into a 2- or 4-year college or university. Preference is given to full-time students but part-time students may apply. Preference will be given to foreign-born applicants or native-born children of foreign-born parents.

North Carolina Restaurant Association Hospitality Educational Foundation Scholarship

The Hospitality Educational Foundation of the NCRA provides scholarships for individuals pursuing educational programs in hospitality and tourism. Scholarships are awarded in four categories detailed below.

NC Teaching Fellows Program

This program was adopted and funded by the 1986 North Carolina General Assembly as part of a ten-point teacher recruitment plan proposed by the Public School Forum of North Carolina. The first recipients were named in 1987.

Applicants must be North Carolina residents currently enrolled as high school seniors and qualifying high school juniors. Selection is made on the basis of high school grades, class standing, SAT scores, writing samples, community service, extracurricular activities, and references from teachers and members of the community. Interviews at the local and regional levels are required. Recipients must be accepted for admission to one of the following postsecondary institutions in North Carolina: Appalachian State University, Campbell University, East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, Elon University, Lenior-Rhyne College, Meredith College, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, Queens University, UNC Asheville, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, UNC Wilmington, and Western Carolina University. Applicants are screened by two committees, one from the applicant’s local school district, and the other from the educational region in which the applicant lives. Candidates recommended by the selection committees are interviewed by the Regional Screening Committees. Financial need is not a selection criterion.

Teacher Assistant Scholarship Fund (TASF)

The Teacher Assistant Scholarship Fund provides funding to full-time teacher assistants pursuing initial licensure through a baccalaureate program at a NC college or university with an approved teacher education program or enrolled a in a North Carolina community college transfer program leading to teacher certification at a qualifying four-year campus. Students already holding baccalaureate degrees seeking initial licensure are eligible to apply.

Beginning with the 2006-07 academic year, teacher assistants from both two-year and four-year campuses are eligible to apply for TASF funds.

Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan (PTSL)

The Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan is a competitive, merit-based scholarship-loan program created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1957. This program was designed to provide scholarship loans to qualified individuals who are pursuing college degrees to become teachers in the public schools of North Carolina.

Masters Nurse Scholars Program (M-NSP) Graduate Program

The Master’s-Nurse Scholars Program (M-NSP) was an expansion of the Nurse Scholars Program in 1991. It was introduced to attract outstanding nurses to pursue a masters degree in nursing as preparation for them to teach nurse education programs and to provide nursing services to citizens of North Carolina. M-NSP is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).

Nurse Scholars Program (NSP), Undergraduate Program

Created by the 1989 General Assembly, this program was designed to address the shortage of trained nurses practicing in North Carolina. NSP is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).

Nurse Educators of Tomorrow Program (NET)

Created by the General Assembly in 2006, the Nurse Educators of Tomorrow Program (NET) was established to address a shortage of nursing instructors at the state’s colleges and universities. This program is a competitive, merit-based scholarship-loan program available to master and doctoral degrees students to become nursing instructors at North Carolina public and private colleges and universities, and is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)

North Carolina Principal Fellows Program (PFP )

Created by the 1993 General Assembly, this program was established to train qualified individuals to enter school-based administrative positions in the public schools of North Carolina. The program provides a full year of academic study at the master’s level, followed by a one-year internship in a school system. A 12-member Principal Fellows Commission selects the scholarship/loan recipients of the program.

Teacher Assistant Scholarship Fund (TASF)

The Teacher Assistant Scholarship Fund provides funding to full-time teacher assistants pursuing initial licensure through a baccalaureate program at a NC college or university with an approved teacher education program or enrolled a in a North Carolina community college transfer program leading to teacher certification at a qualifying four-year campus. Students already holding baccalaureate degrees seeking initial licensure are eligible to apply.

State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) Scholarships (Merit-Based)

First established in 1974, the SEANC Scholarship Program provides endowments to SEANC members, their spouses, and their children to attend technical schools, community colleges, trade schools, junior colleges, or four-year universities on a full-time basis. Both need-based and merit-based scholarships are available.

Two merit-based categories of scholarships are available for SEANC members, their spouses and dependents that possess demonstrated academic potential, school and community involvement, and character and motivation.

Visit the website: http://www.seanc.org/membership/scholarship.aspx

Ruckus House Scholarship

The Ruckus House Scholarship was developed in 2007 by current and former players of the Carolina Panthers to provide financial assistance to North Carolina residents who plan to attend college to pursue a career in early childhood, elementary, or special education. The Ruckus House Foundation is a non-profit organization that uses funds from charitable contributions and fundraising efforts.

Nurse Education Scholarship Loan Program (NESLP)

This program was first funded by the 1989 North Carolina General Assembly as part of a series of initiatives designed to reduce the shortage of practicing nurses in North Carolina. NESLP is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. NESLP awards are available through the financial aid offices of North Carolina colleges and universities that offer nurse education programs that prepare students for licensure in North Carolina as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s or as Registered Nurses (RN’s)

NC Reach

The Child Welfare Postsecondary Support Program, also known as NC Reach, was established by the 2007 North Carolina General Assembly to provide funding for college students who have either aged out of North Carolina public foster care or whose adoption from North Carolina public foster care was finalized on or after their twelfth birthday.

To apply for this program, please visit www.ncreach.org/APPLY-FOR-FUNDING.51.0.html. Additional information may beobtained by calling the NC Reach team at (800) 585-6112, or by clicking the “Contact Us” on the NC Reach homepage ( www.ncreach.org).

NC Student Loan Program for Health, Science and Mathematics

This program was established in 1945 to provide encouragement and financial assistance to qualified North Carolina residents pursuing degrees or other recognized credentials in selected health, science and mathematics programs.

Penn Family Scholarship

The Penn Family Scholarship was established as an endowed fund from the proceeds of the sale of the Chinqua Penn Plantation in Rockingham County. The income from the endowment is designated to provide scholarships for needy Rockingham County students attending one of the constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina .