Navigating the North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

The North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship provides financial assistance to North Carolina residents attending eligible colleges and universities within the state. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the scholarship, including eligibility requirements, award amounts, and other important details.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria. These requirements ensure that the scholarship benefits deserving students who demonstrate financial need and academic promise.

The basic requirements include:

Residency: Applicants must be residents of North Carolina.
FAFSA Completion: Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is mandatory.
Enrollment: Students must be admitted to a college and enrolled for at least six credit hours per semester.
Satisfactory Academic Progress: Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements is essential.
Pell Grant Eligibility: Eligibility is determined using the same criteria as the Federal Pell Grant, with one exception. Students who are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant but have an estimated family contribution of $5,000 or less will be eligible for an Education Lottery Scholarship.
Prior Degrees: Students who have already earned a baccalaureate (four-year) college degree are ineligible for this scholarship.

Financial Need and Award Amounts

The primary objective of the Scholarships and Student Aid Office is to meet the demonstrated financial need of as many students as possible by using a combination of available funds. Eligibility for the Education Lottery Scholarship is determined based on the same criteria as the Federal Pell Grant, with a notable exception: students who do not qualify for the Federal Pell Grant but have an estimated family contribution of $5,000 or less may still be eligible for the Education Lottery Scholarship.

Grants typically range from $100 to $3,588 per year, and students can receive this award for a maximum of ten semesters.

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Additional Grant and Scholarship Opportunities at North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) offers a variety of grants and scholarships to help students finance their education. These opportunities cater to different student profiles, including those with financial needs, academic merit, or specific affiliations.

Federal Programs

Federal Pell Grant (Pell Grant): Pell Grant payments may range significantly from $650 to $6,195. This grant is reduced for students who enroll less than full-time.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Undergraduate students only are eligible for FSEOG, which is based upon financial need determined by the information provided on the application for financial aid. Students who are eligible for Pell Grants and who demonstrate the greatest need are given priority in receiving FSEOG. FSEOG funds will appear as a credit on a student’s account. The grant will be reduced for students who enroll for less than full-time.

State Programs

North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship: This grant is available to NC residents. The value of the award varies, and applicants are required to complete the FAFSA and submit supporting documentation, if selected for verification. Funds are administered on a first come, first served basis. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA on October 1st of each year. Awards range from $502 to $4,200 for NCCU students. It provides financial assistance to needy North Carolina resident students attending eligible colleges and universities located within the state. Eligibility is determined based on the same criteria as the Federal Pell Grant with one exception; students not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant with an estimated family contribution of 5000 or less may be eligible for an Education Lottery Scholarship. Students who have earned baccalaureate (four-year) college degrees are ineligible.

NCCU Specific Scholarships and Grants

Cheatham-White Scholarship: This is a merit-based scholarship program for students attending North Carolina Central University and N.C. State University. This is a fully funded four-year scholarship. The scholarship covers full tuition and fees, housing, meals, textbooks, a laptop, travel and personal expenses. Each scholarship also provides four summers of fully funded enrichment and networking opportunities that may include international travel and study.
Athletic Scholarships: Awards range from $200 to full payment of educational expenses. You must have a documented record of sports participation and outstanding athletics ability to be eligible for this scholarship.
University Endowed and Annual Scholarships: An online database of University endowed and annual scholarships is listed every October for the upcoming academic year. Admitted students can apply for up to ten scholarships by completing the online University scholarship application between October 1st and the end of February. Scholarship recipients are chosen by the various departments on campus. Selected students will receive notification from the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid by May 1. To be eligible, one must meet all of the University admissions requirements.
Dr. A.P. Sansom Scholarship Fund: To be eligible for this award, one must be an undergraduate student, enrolled full time, N.C. resident and have an academic average of 3.0. An entering freshman must be ranked in the top 25% of his/her graduating class.
C.M. and M.D. Epps Scholarship Fund: To be eligible for this award, one must have a 3.0 GPA, rank in the top 25% of the high school graduating class, in the case of an entering freshman, and be a N.C. resident undergraduate full-time student. This award is usually made to a University scholar who is an undergraduate student.
Criminal Justice Scholarship: Award is available to a full time North Carolina resident undergraduate majoring in Criminal Justice. First priority in selection is given to a son or daughter of any law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. Second priority is given to a son or daughter of any sheriff or deputy sheriff who is deceased, retired (regular or disability). Third priority is given to any resident criminal justice student meeting NCCU’s academic and financial need criteria. The nonrenewable awards are valued at $2,000 each.

Other Funding Opportunities

North Carolina Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program: Offers grants to foster youth and former foster youth to attend colleges, universities, and vocational training institutions. Students may receive up to $5,000 a year for four years as they pursue higher education. The funds may be used for tuition, books, or qualified living expenses related to post-secondary education.
Vocational Rehabilitation Assistance: Student must be legally blind or have a progressive eye condition that may result in blindness, thereby creating an employment handicap for the individual. Student must he a North Carolina resident enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program. Tire amount of the assistance is based on financial need. In order to qualify, a student must have a mental or physical disability that is a handicap to employment. There must also be a reasonable expectation that as a result of vocational rehabilitation services the person may become gainfully employed. The amount of the award is based on need and the type of program in which the individual is enrolled. It generally pays for tuition and fees.
Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS): This program provides financial assistance in the form of forgivable loans to students who are committed to working in North Carolina in high need fields. You may be eligible if you are planning to pursue nursing, teaching or an allied health profession. The FELS award is available to North Carolina residents attending one of the 16 UNC colleges and universities.
DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DC TAG): The grant provides funds to District residents. DC TAG may be used to attend any of the more than 2,500 public colleges around the county. The grant pays the difference between the in-state and out-of-state tuition. The award is paid directly to the institution and is equal to the difference between the in-state and out-of-state tuition up to $10,000 per year. There is a lifetime maximum of $50,000. Eligibility is based on the following criteria: a resident of the District enrolled in college as a full time student, in good academic standing according to the standards set by the college, and demonstrates financial need.
Burroughs Wellcome Fund Student STEM Enrichment Program (SSEP): Any person who has been a permanent resident of Chatham, Durham, Orange, or Wake County for the past six months, who can demonstrate the potential to succeed despite adversity, and who has an exceptional desire to improve himself or herself through further education or training may apply. There are no limitations on age, income level, previous education, course of study, or training program the applicant is planning to pursue. Scholarship may be used to begin a program or continue a program in which the applicant is already enrolled. It may be used for technical or community college programs, vocational or trade programs, or four-year college or university studies. Between four and six awards are made annually up to $5,000 per year for a maximum of four years. Scholarship may be applied to expenses for tuition, required fees, and required books.
North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance: Student must be active member of the North Carolina Army or Air National Guard and remain a member of the National Guard for two years following the end of the academic period for which tuition assistance is provided. Student must enroll in an eligible business or trade school, a private or state educational institution in North Carolina, and must maintain a C or better grade point average.
Federal Work Study (FWS): This is an award for which a student must work. Money is earned hourly, and the student is paid bi-weekly. This award is available to undergraduate and graduate students based on need, using the information provided on the application for financial aid to determine eligibility. The average FWS undergraduate employee works ten hours per week and typically earns from $500 to $1,000 per academic year at a minimum rate of $9.00 per hour. The average FWS graduate/ professional employee works ten to twenty hours per week and typically earns from $1,000 to $2,000 per academic year at a minimum rate of $10.00 per hour. Students can make their work more meaningful by performing Community Service in the Durham community or by participating in the America Reads Program tutoring at elementary schools at a rate of $9.00 per hour.
Work-Aid: This is an award for which a student must work. The student is paid bi-weekly. This is not a need-based program. Wage rates, hours and conditions of employment are strictly between the student and the employer.

Veteran’s Benefits at NCCU

North Carolina Central University is approved to certify Veterans, Active Duty Service members, and their eligible family members for training time in any one of the approved programs of education under provisions of Titles 38 and 10 United States Code. The Veterans Administration offers five different education benefits to Veterans, Active Duty Service members, and eligible family members. Through the Office of Veterans Affairs at North Carolina Central University, students are educated about which benefits they may be eligible for, and are assisted in applying for such benefits. The Office of Veterans Affairs is located in the NCCU Veterans Resource Center in Suite 216 of the Miller Morgan Building, and is a part of the Division of Enrollment Management.

*To be eligible for certification to the VA you must be admitted to the University as a degree-seeking student.

Specific Veteran Benefits:

Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty (Chapter 30): Those who are on Active Drill/Reserve status may be eligible for this benefit with approval from their Commanding Officer. Benefits may be applied for upon completion of basic and MOS/Rate training and after obtaining a signed Notice of Basic Eligibility, NOBE, from their Command. This benefit is paid directly to the individual and must be verified by the student on the last day of each month enrolled in training. Benefits are paid out proportionately based on training time.
Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606): An individual may be eligible if he/she entered the Military on or after July 1, 1985, served at least two years, contributed $100.00 a month for the first 12 months of service, and were honorably discharged. This benefit must be used within 10 years of the service members discharge date. This benefit is paid directly to the individual and must be verified by the student on the last day of each month enrolled in training.
Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP): For the retraining of certain Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10%. Entitlement is determined by a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and is based on how current work conditions are intensifying or aggravating a service connected disability.
Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) (Chapter 33): Is the newest education benefit for individuals with active duty service after September 11, 2011. Active Duty, Veterans, and family members may be eligible for this benefit as long as the service member spent at least 90 days on Active Duty Status; Active Duty service time need not be consecutive. This benefit includes a payment of in- state Tuition and Fees disbursed directly to the University, a Housing Allowance, and Book Stipend paid directly to the student.
- Transfer of Entitlement (TOE): Service members can qualify for Transfer of Entitlement, or TOE, if they have completed at least six years of service and have a reenlistment to serve four more, or 10 years of service time.
- Fry Scholarship: For Spouses and Children of service members who died in the line of duty after September 11, 2001. Those eligible will receive all 36 months of entitlement at the 100% benefit rating. A spouse or child of a Veteran who is declared 100% totally or permanently disabled due to service connected disabilities may be eligible for this benefit. Also a surviving spouse or children of a Veteran who died on active duty or due to complications with a service connected disability may also be eligible.
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA) (Chapter 35): DEA includes 45 months of entitlement and is paid directly to the student at the end of each month; amount of payment is based on the rate of training.

In-State Tuition for Veterans:

This section states that a Veteran using Montgomery GI Bill® Chapter 30 benefits, or Post 9/11 Chapter 33 benefits may qualify for instate tuition as long as they are within three years of their discharge date, reside in the same state in which the University is located, and maintain consecutive enrollment. The spouse and children using Post 9/11 GI Bill® Transfer of Entitlement or the Fry Scholarship may also qualify for instate tuition as long as the above three criteria are met.

Important Application Information

FAFSA Completion: If a student is enrolling for Summer School, the FAFSA for the current year and the upcoming year is required. Please indicate our school code of 002950 in section six. Please verify that North Carolina Central University is listed on the Student Aid Report (SAR). The expiration date for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is June 30th. Students attending the second session of summer school should closely monitor the deadline date to ensure that the FAFSA is processed before the deadline.
Summer School Application: Applying for Summer School is a paperless application process. Prior to receiving aid for Summer School, a student must be advised by an academic advisor and registered for Summer School in the summer sessions desired. Classes must appear in BANNER. Eligible students will be automatically awarded.
Financial Aid Disbursement: If a student receives financial aid but never attends classes, the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid must return all disbursed funds to the respective federal and institutional aid programs. The types of aid available during the summer vary based on the student’s remaining eligibility for Pell Grant and loans. To qualify for a student or parent loan, a student must be enrolled at least on a half-time basis, undergraduates six (6) hours, and graduates four and one-half (4.5) hours.

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