Noteworthy Scholarships for Students in North Carolina for 2026
North Carolina might be known as the birthplace of Krispy Kreme and Pepsi, but it’s also home to some fantastic colleges — from UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University to NC State and Wake Forest. While tuition in North Carolina is more affordable than in many other states, the cost of college can still add up quickly.
That’s where scholarships come in. They’re one of the best ways to pay for college because they don’t need to be repaid — meaning more savings and less stress down the road. There are scholarships for almost everything, including where you live, your interests, and your background.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some of the best scholarships for North Carolina students in 2026 — including several from local foundations offering multiple awards.
Here is our list of incredible scholarships found in North Carolina:
1. Asheville Latin Americans Achieving Success WNC College Scholarship
Provider: Asheville Latin Americans Achieving Success
Amount: $600 to $1200
ALAS created the Asheville Latin Americans Achieving Success WNC College Scholarship to support Undocumented/ DACAmented students attending any college or university in western North Carolina. Undergraduates and Graduates may apply. Applicants will not be eligible for in-state tuition or attending a private institution. In addition, applicants will not qualify for Pell Grants due to their immigrant status.
2. Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship Fund
Provider: North Carolina Federation of Republican Women
Amount: $500
The North Carolina Federation of Republican Women established the Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship Fund in 1991 in honor of First Lady Dottie Martin’s work and dedication to the families and
youth of North Carolina. Women and men currently pursuing an education career may apply. Women and men are encouraged to apply. Recent high school graduates are not eligible. Applicants must display career plans, and further along in completing their program of education.
3. People Helping People Scholarship
Provider: SECU Foundation
Amount: $1,250 (for 8 consecutive fall/spring semesters)
The People Helping People Scholarship is for public high school seniors who are either current members of State Employees’ Credit Union (“SECU”), or the child of a parent/guardian who is a member of SECU at the time of application. Membership eligibility does not include Local Government Federal Credit Union or NC Press Association Credit Union members. Students are expected to attend college full-time. The 115 North Carolina Local Education Agencies (“LEAs”)/School Districts will receive a minimum of one scholarship for a senior to attend one of the 16 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina System.
4. Kids’ Chance of North Carolina Scholarship
Provider: Kids’ Chance of North Carolina
Amount: up to $5,000
The Kids’ Chance of North Carolina Scholarship is for high school and undergraduate students, between the ages of 16-25, that are a dependent of a worker killed or seriously injured in a work-related accident or occupational disease with a North Carolina employer. Applicants are expected to attend college full-time.
5. Betsy Y. Justus Founders Scholarship
Provider: NC TECH
Amount: $4,000 ($1,000 per year)
The Betsy Y. Justus Founders Scholarship was established in memory of NC TECH’s founding CEO. To be eligible, applicants must be rising female college freshmen, re-entry or transfer students, and enrolled in undergraduate coursework at an accredited institution of higher learning located in North Carolina. Applicants must declare their major in technology or engineering. The full amount of $4,000 is divided into $1,000 per year. Applicants must qualify for North Carolina resident status.
6. Oliver Joel and Ellen Pell Denny Healthcare Scholarship
Provider: The Winston Salem Foundation
Amount: up to $1,500 (yearly)
The Oliver Joel and Ellen Pell Denny Healthcare Scholarship was established in 1985 by Roby E. Taylor to provide scholarships to NC residents seeking a degree in a healthcare field. Students pursuing a degree in the healthcare field are eligible to apply. Master’s nursing degrees, physicians’ assistant and family nurse practitioner degrees are also eligible. Preference is given to residents of Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties.
BONUS: The foundation has a “one-stop application” that allows you to apply for all of their scholarships (not just this one) with a single application.
7. The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Criminal Justice Scholarship
Provider: The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA)
Amount: $2,000
The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) created the Criminal Justice Scholarship Program to assist students who are dependents of law enforcement officials or who are studying in the criminal justice field and express an interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Applicants must have a 2.0 GPA and plan to enroll full-time in a 2-year or 4-year college or university.
8. Penn Family Scholarship
Provider: CFNC – College Foundation of North Carolina
Amount: Up to $3,000
The Penn Family Scholarship was established as an endowed fund from the proceeds of the sale of the Chinqua Penn Plantation in Rockingham County. Applicants must reside in Rockingham County, demonstrate financial need, must be enrolled in one of the 16 UNC campuses, and must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
9. North Carolina Foundation for Nursing Scholarships
Provider: North Carolina Foundation for Nursing
Amount: Up to $5,000
The North Carolina Foundation for Nursing is proud to sponsor a number of nursing scholarship opportunities for nurses and nursing students. Applicants must be pursuing a career in nursing and must be a graduating high school senior, undergraduate, or doctoral student.
Loving these scholarships, but need help applying for your government financial aid? We can help you fill out your FAFSA and state aid.
10. North Carolina CPA Foundation Scholarship Program
Provider: North Carolina CPA Foundation Inc.
Amount: $1,000
The North Carolina CPA Foundation Scholarship Program is open to North Carolina students who are enrolled in an academic program yielding a degree in accounting or its equivalent and have completed 36 or more semester hours. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
11. Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship
Provider: Jimmy Rane Foundation
Amount: $5,000
The Jimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship was established with the purpose of sending deserving students to college. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for high school students and 2.75 for college students, must not be enrolled in an online degree program, must be enrolled full-time, demonstrate financial need, be a U.S. citizen, and certify that they did not participate as a student-athlete and will not participate as a student-athlete in college.
Still need help with financial aid and college scholarships?
We get it. Financing college tuition can be quite the process, and with so many scholarships out there, how do you know which ones to apply for? Start by submitting your FAFSA form as soon as possible since this will help determine what financial aid you might qualify for.
Then, create a free profile today for access to our scholarship library to find scholarships that best suit your financial aid needs. At Going Merry, we make finding and applying for scholarships easy. You’ll be matched with the scholarships you’re eligible for, save your favorite scholarships, and then apply. Get started today. Sign up here.
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