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Afford

We strive to make an NC State education affordable, and we’re consistently ranked one of the best values in American higher education.

A Degree That Pays Off

Your college degree is an investment in your future. At NC State, we’re committed to making that investment worthwhile.

As a public university, we’re a powerful combination of affordability and value. We prepare students to enter the workforce strong (and with as little debt as possible). And our graduates see immediate returns on every dollar spent here.

#2 Best Public College for Your Money in N.C.

Money

Applying for Financial Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available each year on October 1. All students who wish to be considered for federal aid and state and institutional need-based financial aid must submit a FAFSA.

You don’t need to wait for an official admission decision to submit your FAFSA, and we encourage students to apply as soon as possible.

  • Priority filing deadline for NC State: March 1
  • School code: 002972
  • Newly admitted students begin receiving financial aid package information in early April.

#5 Best Value Among U.S. Public Universities

U.S. News & World Report

Scholarship Opportunities

Bright minds belong on our campus — and we’re committed to helping them get here. NC State offers a limited number of competitive scholarships for incoming full-time students to recognize and cultivate academic excellence.

We encourage first-year students to apply by our early action deadline of November 1 to receive priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships. Students will gain access to Pack ASSIST, our scholarship portal, after being admitted to NC State.

  • Priority consideration deadline: February 15

In order to be considered for merit-based scholarships, you must submit the general scholarship application through Pack ASSIST.

Park Scholarships

The Park Scholarship is a four-year scholarship awarded on the basis of outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service and character. The value of the scholarship is up to $120,000 for in-state residents and $221,000 for out-of-state residents.

  • Requires a separate application due by November 1.
  • Eligible to U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., or graduates from a high school located in the U.S. (regardless of citizenship status) applying for fall as a first-year student.
  • Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA

Goodnight Scholars Program

The Goodnight Scholars Program is available to prospective first-year and transfer students from low- and middle-income families across North Carolina. The scholarship is limited to students studying in the science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) disciplines or affiliated education majors. Eligible students receive an invitation to apply. Learn more about first-year and transfer eligibility requirements.

The value of the scholarship is $23,000 and is renewable for up to four years for first-year students, and three years for transfer students.

General Hugh Shelton Leadership Initiative Scholarship

Available to prospective first-year students, the General Hugh Shelton Leadership Initiative Scholarship is a competitive academic scholarship that promotes the Shelton Leadership Center’s mission of inspiring, educating and developing value-based leaders.

Shelton Scholars receive $2,000 annually for student leadership enrichment experiences, in addition to leadership seminars, networking and other professional development opportunities.

Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship

The Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship is designed for incoming first-year students with demonstrated leadership potential, academic achievement, personal talent, unique work or service experience, and financial need.

The value of the scholarship is $5,000 per year. Admitted first-year students can apply through Pack ASSIST.

North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program in the College of Education offers $8,250 per year in forgivable loans to teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, agricultural education or special education. First-year and transfer applicants in North Carolina may qualify by submitting a Teaching Fellows application.

Residency Determination Information

At NC State, the application review process is the same for both in-state and out-of-state applicants.

The Residency Determination Service (RDS) is responsible for all tuition residency classifications, reclassification requests and appeals. To apply for in-state residency consideration for tuition purposes, you must apply through the Residency Determination Service (RDS) for a Residency Classification Number (RCN).

NC State must receive your RCN to verify your tuition residency classification with RDS. You will be classified out-of-state for tuition purposes until we receive your tuition residency classification from RDS. Submit your RCN on your application or through your wolfPAW account after applying.

For assistance, contact RDS:

Financing Your Degree

Have other questions about affording an NC State education? Our Student Services Center has answers.

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