Soon, hundreds of students in North Carolina will graduate from high school, and many of them aspire to continue their higher education at colleges and universities.
To continue their education, students can find tools, resources, scholarships, loans, and federal and state aid to help pay for their studies at higher education institutions in and out of state.
There is also financial aid and scholarship information available for students who do not have immigration status or who have DACA.
All of this valuable information can be found in one place on the website of the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), a free state service that helps students plan, apply, and pay for college.
The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) is the primary sponsor in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI), the North Carolina Community College System, the UNC System, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, and College Foundation, Inc.
Where to start?
CFNC indicates that students should begin by seeking financial aid to pay for their college education. This aid can be grants or loans and may come from federal, state, local, school, or private entities.
Start with FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to unlocking financial aid at the federal, state, and institutional levels.
“Many financial aid opportunities require first completing the FAFSA form, which is used to determine federal, state, and sometimes college-specific aid,” CFNC states.
There are also FAFSA assistance resources, including an interactive Financial Aid Map to find financial aid contacts at nearly every college in North Carolina.
The foundation says the next step is to find the right school using its search tool, where students can find information on costs, available financial aid, majors, required scores, and more.
Apply for grants and scholarships
CFNC provides information on many grant and scholarship programs that require starting by completing the FAFSA.
This article is sponsored by Miler-Motte College
Miller-Motte College
Address: 3901 Capital Boulevard, Suite 151, Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: 919-855-2506
Website: www.miller-motte.edu
Federal grants
The federal government provides grants for students attending college or career schools. Most types of grants, unlike loans, are financial aid sources that generally do not have to be repaid. Students can find information about these federal grants on the Federal Student Aid website.
Scholarship search
Students who complete the FAFSA are generally considered for state aid at a community college, an independent college, or any UNC institution.
Students can find 104 available scholarships in this search tool, where they can access detailed information about each scholarship, including requirements, award amounts, application deadlines, and more.
Student loans
These loans are available through NC Assist Loans, offering a fixed interest rate, an easy application process, and strong support from North Carolina’s trusted nonprofit lender.
With these loans, students can cover up to 100% of school costs, including tuition, housing, books, and more through the Student Assist loan program.
There are also loans for parents through the NC Parent Assist Loan, and loans for graduate students to cover the cost of master’s, doctoral, and other postgraduate degrees through the NC Assist Loan.
In addition, there are Work-Study Programs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to work part-time to help pay for education expenses.
Students interested in this program can contact their school’s financial aid office to learn about available positions.
Students can find answers to many other questions on the CFNC website.
Tools regardless of immigration status
CFNC offers a section called “So Much Potencial” with tools to plan for college regardless of students’ immigration status, dedicated to “dreamers” with DACA and undocumented students.
Although this section is primarily aimed at school counselors, it is a key resource for any student seeking to attend college.
The site provides information on financial aid and scholarships available to these students in the “So Much Potencial” section, including local and national scholarships.
Although students with DACA or undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid, they may qualify for state or institutional aid, as well as some private scholarships.
More information and answers to many other questions can be found in the “So Much Potential” section.
Scholarships available in North Carolina regardless of immigration status
Recently, Enlace Latino NC published a list of scholarship options and available resources that do not take students’ immigration status into account. These include:
Pupusas for Education (P4E) Scholarship
Requirements: Undocumented students, or those with TPS or DACA; North Carolina residents; recent high school graduates.
Award amount: $4,000 ($500 per semester for 4 years).
Deadline: Applications open each year between January and March.
Notes: Acceptance into any postsecondary education program is required.
Self-Help Federal Credit Union
Requirements: Students regardless of immigration status attending any postsecondary institution, including universities, colleges, technical, trade, or vocational schools.
Award amount: $1,000
Deadline: The scholarship application period is typically from January to March.
Notes: Membership in SHCU is not required to apply.
Link: self-helpfcu.org
Elon University Odyssey Program
Requirements: Undocumented students or those with DACA or TPS.
Award amount: Up to full tuition.
Deadline: Applications open between August and September each year.
Notes: Students must first submit a first-year application, then apply to the Odyssey Program and submit the FAFSA (if eligible) or the CSS Profile.
Link: elon.edu
National scholarships
Golden Door Scholars
Requirements: Undocumented students, or those with DACA, TPS, refugee status, or a pending asylum case in their final year of high school in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia.
Award amount: Full tuition coverage.
Deadline: Applications usually open from August through Oct. 1.
Notes: Preference is given to students pursuing STEM or business majors. Applicants must reside in North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), or Georgia (GA).
Link: goldendoorscholars.org
TheDream.US National Scholarship
Requirements: Undocumented students eligible for in-state tuition.
Award amount: Up to $33,000 at a partner college to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Deadline: Applications will open Nov. 1, 2025.
Notes: Eligibility criteria are subject to change.
Link: thedream.us
TheDream.US Opportunity Scholarship
Requirements: Undocumented students who are not eligible for in-state tuition.
Award amount: Up to $100,000 to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Deadline: Applications will open Nov. 1, 2025.
Notes: For undocumented students living in states known as “locked-out states.” Students must attend one of its partner colleges.
Link: thedream.us
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
Requirements: Undocumented students may apply.
Award amount: Up to $55,000 for a bachelor’s degree.
Deadline: Applications will reopen in late August 2025.
Notes: For high-achieving students.
Link: jkcf.org
Merit- and need-based scholarships
In addition to these scholarships, many colleges and universities in North Carolina accept undocumented students.
Universities such as Duke, Chapel Hill, Queen’s University of Charlotte, and Wingate University offer merit-based scholarships for students who need financial assistance.
Like many of the scholarships mentioned above, merit-based aid is awarded based on student achievements, such as academic excellence or community involvement.
On the other hand, need-based aid is determined based on a student’s family financial situation.
National scholarships with 2026 application dates
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Requirements: Undocumented students with DACA.
Award amount: Between $500 and $5,000.
Deadline: Applications will reopen in January 2026.
Notes: Applicants must have Hispanic heritage.
Link: hsf.net
Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
Requirements: Undocumented students may apply.
Award amount: Up to $15,000.
Deadline: Applications will open in January 2026 through April 1, 2026.
Notes: Activism and community work are valued.
Link: davisputter.org
Immigrants Rising Scholarships (Multiple)
Requirements: Open to undocumented students.
Award amount: Varies.
Deadline: Varies.
Notes: Database of scholarship opportunities.
Link: immigrantsrising.org
This article is sponsored by Miler-Motte College
Miller-Motte College
Address: 3901 Capital Boulevard, Suite 151, Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: 919-855-2506
Website: www.miller-motte.edu
Facebook: MillerMotteCollege
Instagram: millermottecollege
LinkedIn: miller-motte-college
YouTube: @Miller-MotteCollege
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