Applying for FAFSA makes you automatically considered for many grants and scholarships. Because there is a limit on how much federal money can be awarded, applying as soon as possible ensures the maximum award received. The Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students and the amount you receive is based on financial need, the cost of your education and whether you are a part-time or full-time student.
The state of North Carolina also takes information from your FAFSA to appropriate scholarship money specifically limited to the state. The state contractual scholarship fund awards financial aids to students who attend private colleges. The North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship provides approximately 30,000 students with money ranging from $100-$2,500 for the school year.
North Carolina awards scholarship money for students interested in pursuing a degree in teaching, nursing, health, science and mathematics. These awards are for students who are set in a career path, and those who receive these scholarships are generally required to work in their degree field in North Carolina the same number of years it took to complete the degree. Those who do not complete the degree or remain in North Carolina to complete their service must repay the full amount of the scholarship.
North Carolina offers several scholarships to students who are academically competitive or volunteer within the community. For example, the Crib to College Scholarship provides five students with laptop computers and a $1,000 scholarship to students involved in their community and planning to attend a four-year college or university. Make sure to check with the financial aid office for a list of other merit-based scholarships exclusive to your school.
The information you provide on your FAFSA will help determine the amount you need to attend college. The University of North Carolina has a need-based grant for students attending one of their 16 campuses. Eligible candidates are automatically considered for this grant when accepted into the UNC system and have completed the FAFSA. The North Carolina Community College Grant awards students who are eligible for the program and enrolled in six or more credit hours at a community college.