Online Colleges in North Carolina
The state of North Carolina is Raleigh-ing in support of higher education.
Leaders of the state’s public education systems, including the President of the University of North Carolina, Acting President of the North Carolina Community College System, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, have partnered to create My Future NC, a statewide commission on educational attainment. My Future NC strives to develop an education plan with clear goals and benchmarks in order to build a stronger and more competitive state.
North Carolina currently offers excellent schools and funding, so these efforts just prove that the state values education and wants to provide the very best.
Overview of Higher Education in North Carolina
There are 150 degree-granting institutions in North Carolina, according to a 2015-2016 report by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Of those, 75 are public schools, 51 are non-profit private schools, and 24 are for-profit private schools.
To attend one of the state’s 4-year public institutions, residents will pay an average of $7200, according to Collegeboard.org’s 2016-2017 report, which places it among the 10 states with the lowest tuition rate. Out-of-state students will pay around $23,750, also well below the national average.
North Carolinians also benefit from the state’s involvement in the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), which encourages resource sharing among the 15 participating states. Through this program, North Carolina students can enroll in out-of-state programs in nearby states while paying in-state rates.
About Online Colleges in North Carolina
A 2012 report by the NCES stated that 11.4% of undergraduates in North Carolina were enrolled exclusively in online courses. An additional 21.3% were participating in a hybrid of online and on-campus courses – almost twice the national average! Since then, the numbers have continued to rise as more and more schools introduce online learning programs.
Today, the state’s largest higher education system – the 17 institutions of the University of North Carolina – offers nearly 400 fully online degree and certificate programs. Some of their most popular online programs include agriculture, behavioral science, business, criminal justice, education, engineering, liberal arts, nursing, and public administration. Several of UNC’s online programs were recognized in US News and World Reports’ 2018 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, including University of North Carolina—Wilmington which ranked in the top 10.
The state’s online education efforts are supported by eLearning NC, a resource created by the North Carolina Education Cabinet and the Office of the Governor. eLearning NC is a one-stop-shop for online learning at the K-12, college and even career level. Through the website, online learners can find out about courses and degree programs, financial aid, and additional support services available to them.
Similarly, the Virtual Learning Community (VLC) is a collaborative effort of the North Carolina Community College System for providing course content and support services to students, educators and administrators at the community college level.
Scholarships and Financial Aid in North Carolina
North Carolina and the federal government give away millions of dollars each year to help students pay for college. In order to access these funds, you will first need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA becomes available each year starting on October 1st, and should be filled out as soon as possible because much of the student aid is awarded on a first come, first served basis.
As you fill out the FAFSA, you will need to include financial information for yourself as well as your parents (unless you’re considered “independent”). The information you provide will be used to determine what type and how much financial aid you qualify for – from the federal government, as well as from your state.
As a North Carolina resident, when you submit your FAFSA it will also check your eligibility for the following state-funded student aid programs:
- NC Education Lottery Scholarship – For undergraduates taking at least six credit hours at UNC or community college; Income-based but must also meet academic requirements of institution; Amount varies
- NC Community College Grant – For community college students taking at least six credit hours; Income-based but must also meet academic requirements of institution; $100-$1500
- UNC Need Based Grant – For students taking at least six credit hours at one of the 16 UNC system campuses; Income-based; Amount varies
- NC Need Based Scholarship – For undergraduates taking at least nine credit hours; Need-based; Amount varies
The colleges and universities in North Carolina have their own additional grant and scholarship programs. To find out how to apply for these, contact the financial aid office at the school you’re interested in.
You can also apply for private scholarships, which may be awarded based on need, merit, or other special circumstances such as race, religion, region, athletic or artistic abilities, unique talents, intended major, and so on.
Here are some scholarships available to North Carolinians:
| Scholarship Name | Details | Scholarship amount |
| Crumley Roberts Next Step Scholarship Foundation | Must be community college student transferring to an accredited 4-year college in the fall; Must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher | (3) $2500 |
| The Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship | Must be a college student in a teacher education program, planning to teach in North Carolina after graduation | $500 |
| Golden LEAF Scholarship Program | For students entering their first year at a participating college; Must be a resident of a rural county that is economically distressed and/or tobacco dependent (see list); Need and merit based | (215) $3000 per year |
| NC Sheriffs Association Undergraduate Criminal Justice Scholarships | For undergraduate students majoring in criminal justice at eligible institutions (see list); Must demonstrate financial need; Priority given to children/step-children of law enforcement (see details) | (10) $2000 |
| SEANC Scholarships | For State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) members, their spouses and children; Separate need and merit-based scholarships | Varies |
You can find even more scholarships for North Carolina residents on the College Foundation of North Carolina website. Or you can broaden your search by using scholarship search sites like Fastweb.com. Just enter some basic demographic information and you will be matched up with dozens of scholarship opportunities!
List of Online Colleges in North Carolina
| Online Colleges in North Carolina | Location | Annual Tuition | Accreditation | Application Fee |
| Gardner Webb University | Boiling Springs, North Carolina | $29,810 | Regional | $0 |
| University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | $8,834 | Regional | $80 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina | $32,560 | Regional | $0 |
| University of North Carolina – Charlotte | Charlotte, North Carolina | $6,763 | Regional | $60 |
| Western Carolina University | Cullowhee, North Carolina | $6,737 | Regional | $65 |
| Duke University | Durham, North Carolina | $51,265 | Regional | $85 |
| North Carolina Central University | Durham, North Carolina | $6,132 | Regional | $40 |
| Mid-Atlantic Christian University | Elizabeth City, North Carolina | $13,600 | Regional | $50 |
| Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville, North Carolina | $5,085 | Regional | $40 |
| University of North Carolina – Greensboro | Greensboro, North Carolina | $6,c971 | Regional | $55 |
| East Carolina University | Greenville, North Carolina | $6,997 | Regional | $70 |
| Pfeiffer University | Misenheimer, North Carolina | $28,995 | Regional | $50 |
| North Carolina State University | Raleigh, North Carolina | $8,880 | Regional | $85 |
| University of North Carolina – Wilmington | Wilmington, North Carolina | $6,951 | Regional | $75 |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | $49,308 | Regional | $65 |
| Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | $5,804 | Regional | $50 |
Conclusion
With an impressive variety of schools to choose from, some of the lowest tuition rates in the nation, and generous financial aid funding, North Carolina has so much to offer.
Yet the state continues to set new goals, proving it’s committed to providing the very best in higher education.
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