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Enrollment Management and Services 
Student Services Center

Scholarships

Scholarships are funded by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) and by each of the 10 colleges of NC State University. In addition, the university is privileged to offer distinctive programs, such as the Park and Caldwell Scholarships. We also accept scholarships from other organizations and foundations.

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid offers scholarship opportunities to enrolled students. To apply visit go.ncsu.edu/packassist. New students can apply upon acceptance. Applications received by February 15 will receive priority consideration.

College-Based Scholarships

Each college at NC State offers scholarship opportunities to students enrolled in its academic programs. To apply for scholarships with the colleges listed below, visit go.ncsu.edu/packassist. The application opens December 1. New students can apply once admitted to the university.

For the following college, consult the college website for specific criteria, application materials and important deadlines.

Employer-Affiliated Scholarships

Eligibility for employer affiliated scholarships requires the applicant’s parent(s) to have a particular employment affiliation. Frequently the FAFSA is also required. Students are considered for employer affiliated scholarships based on their Pack ASSIST application responses. Participating employer affiliated scholarships include:

Rising Freshmen Distinctive Scholarships

NC State offers a limited number of competitive scholarships for entering freshmen in an effort to recognize and encourage academic ability and talent. To be considered, students must apply for admission by November 1 and indicate ‘early admission’ on the application.

  • Park Scholarships – Prestigious, competitive academic scholarship program for students who demonstrated exceptional academic ability, potential in leadership and service, and exemplary character.
  • General Hugh Shelton Leadership Initiative Scholarship – Competitive academic scholarship program to promote the mission of the Shelton initiative, “to inspire, educate and develop value-based leaders committed to personal integrity, professional ethics and selfless service.”
  • Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship – Program for students who demonstrated leadership potential, academic achievement, personal talents, unique work or service experience, and financial need. Applicants should demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of diversity.
  • Goodnight Scholars Program – The Goodnight Scholars Program is a unique scholarship for outstanding students in the STEM and education disciplines. It is available to students from low- and middle-income North Carolina families, and covers the cost of tuition, fees, room and board per year for up to four years. A comprehensive professional development program allows students to grow into tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Current Student Distinctive Scholarships

  • Caldwell Fellows – The Caldwell Fellows program invests in students selected during their first year at NC State who share a passion to learn, grow and serve others.  The Caldwell program provides extensive programming and leadership training, as well as fosters collaborative interaction with alumni, faculty and community partners.

Graduate Student Funding

  • Qualified graduate students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees may apply for fellowships, assistantships and other resources offered through individual colleges and the Graduate School.
  • Prospective and current students wishing to be considered for fellowship and grant opportunities should contact Dr. David Shafer, assistant dean of the Graduate School. Please note that some fellowship programs require students to submit GRE scores to be considered for graduate resources.

Miscellaneous Funding

  • Gatling Grant – The Gatling Grant was established by alumnus John Gatling to fund educational opportunities for students who are born with the last name Gatlin or Gatling.
  • NC VA Scholarship – Students receiving a NC VA Scholarship should submit the NC VA Scholarship Notification Form to the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid.
  • Federal VA Benefits – Students receiving VA benefits should refer to the Veteran’s Education for instructions.
  • ROTC – Students participating in ROTC should ask their ROTC campus contact to submit their benefits information to the university’s Cashier’s Office.
  • Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship – Offered to Pell Grant eligible students whose parent or guardian was a public safety officer or fire police officer and died in the line of duty. Students must be under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of their parent or guardian’s death.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • NEW students:
    • Use the Pack ASSIST application to apply for most NC State scholarships. Once you have been admitted, you can access Pack ASSIST and apply for scholarships to NC State. For first consideration, submit your application by February 15.
    • To apply for the Goodnight Scholarship, click HERE. To apply for the Park Scholarship, click HERE to access the Park Application, which is available during early September and due by November 1.
  • CONTINUING students:
    • The Pack ASSIST application opens for continuing students on December 1. For first consideration, submit your application by February 15.
  • There is no deadline; however, students who complete the application by February 15 are given first consideration when the scholarship selection process begins on February 16.
  • Yes, you will be considered if you submit a scholarship application after February 15; however, students who submit their application by February 15 will have first consideration.
  • Yes, the General Application must be completed each year for scholarship consideration.
  • Use the Pack ASSIST application to apply for most NC State scholarships. Once you complete it, you may be presented with additional questions from your department. When your application is submitted, you will be auto-matched to the scholarships for which you meet the minimum requirements. Scholarship committees will then review individual applications in order to make selection decisions.
  • NEW students:
    • Use the Pack ASSIST application to apply for most NC State scholarships. Once you have been admitted, you can access Pack ASSIST and apply for scholarships to NC State. For first consideration, submit your application by February 15.
    • To apply for the Goodnight Scholarship, click HERE. To apply for the Park Scholarship, click HERE to access the Park Application, which is available during early September and due by November 1.
  • CONTINUING students:
    • The Pack ASSIST application opens for continuing students on December 1. For first consideration, submit your application by February 15.
  • You will need to complete the general application and any departmental specific questions to be considered for departmental scholarships. Departments will NOT be able to consider you without completing the general application.
  • Completing a FAFSA is typically not a requirement for a merit scholarship; however, in order to maximize your scholarship and financial aid eligibility, we recommend that you complete the FAFSA.
  • No, the Pack ASSIST application is independent of the admissions application. We encourage you to complete the Pack ASSIST application in its entirety. If you selected an admission essay similar to the Pack ASSIST essay, you may copy and paste that essay into Pack ASSIST.
  • NEW students:
    • Use the Pack ASSIST application to apply for most NC State scholarships. Once you have been admitted, you can access Pack ASSIST and apply for scholarships to NC State. For first consideration, submit your application by February 15.
    • To apply for the Park Scholarship, click HERE to access the Park Application; the Park Scholarships selection committee will review some admissions materials.
  • CONTINUING students:
    • The Pack ASSIST application opens for continuing students on December 1. For first consideration, submit your application by February 15.

Yes, you should save your application frequently by clicking Save and Keep Editing at the bottom of the page. The system will time you out after 30 minutes of inactivity so be sure to save frequently!

  • Our selection process is comprehensive and considers several factors such as a student’s high school GPA, extracurricular involvement, activities, honors and awards and essay responses.
  • No, ACT/SAT scores are not required for merit scholarships. Applications will be evaluated using a comprehensive review process that takes into consideration factors such as a student’s high school GPA, extracurricular involvement, and essay responses.
  • You may be presented with a few additional scholarship opportunities after submitting the General Application. Unlike most scholarships at NC State, these scholarships require a separate application in order to be considered for them.
  • Yes, you can update your submitted application.
  • You will receive an email confirmation from scholarships@ncsu.edu once your application is submitted. If you do not receive this email, you have not completed the application process and will not be considered for applicable scholarships.
  • Most departments and scholarship committees will notify newly admitted students by April 1 and continuing students after Spring grades are final. You will only receive a notification if you are offered an award, as we do not send regret emails.
  • No. You must accept your admission to NC State University via the instructions provided in your admission decision letter.
  • If your questions are regarding the general application contact your scholarship counselor. If your questions are regarding your college specific application, contact your department.

Please note, in addition to the criteria noted for each individual opportunity, all scholarships at NC State University require the following criteria: