Fill out your FAFSA Early to Maximize 2026-27 Financial Aid

North Carolina students from households making $80,000 or less could have their tuition and fees fully covered at any of the state’s 58 community colleges thanks to the Next NC Scholarship. Eligible North Carolina students attending a community college will receive at least $3,000 per year, and those with the greatest need for financial aid could qualify for even more funding. (Qualifying students attending a public university within the UNC System will receive a minimum of $5,000 per year.)

The scholarship will be awarded to those who qualify after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form covering the 2026-2027 academic year is now available to all users.

Do I qualify?

To be eligible for the Next NC Scholarship, students must be:

• A North Carolina resident who is eligible for in-state tuition
• A high school graduate (High school equivalency completers are eligible)
• Enrolled in an eligible undergraduate curriculum program
• Taking at least 6 credit hours per semester (Part-time students will receive a partial award)
• A student who has completed the FAFSA with a resulting Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below 7,500
• From a household with an annual Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $80,000 or less
• Meet Pell eligibility criteria (Is eligible to receive financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended)
• Meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards of the college or university you plan to attend
• Not be in default on any State loan or grant program
• Not exceed the semester limits for state grants

What if I still have questions?

To learn more about the Next NC Scholarship and other options to help pay for college, contact Vance-Granville’s Financial Aid Office at [email protected] or (252) 738-3280. Those not eligible for the Next NC Scholarship may be eligible for other scholarship opportunities.

Class registration for VGCC’s fall 2026 semester is now underway, including 8-week classes starting in August and October. Set yourself up for success by completing your application, FAFSA, and all required documents by July 31.

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First introduced in 2023, the Next NC Scholarship combines the federal Pell Grant with state-funded financial aid into a simplified, predictable scholarship award that helps make paying for college more manageable for North Carolinians pursuing a degree. For more information about the Next NC Scholarship, please visit nextncscholarship.org.