Tuition Freedom Scholarships
CCP and Career Tech students who have earned just 8 or 9 CCP/CTE/CTAG credits are eligible for a total of 64 hours of Tuition Freedom.
Tuition Freedom 32
CCP and Career Tech students who have earned just 6 or 7 CCP/CTE/CTAG credits are eligible for a total of 32 hours of Tuition Freedom.
Tuition Freedom for CollegeNow engineering graduates (PDF)
Exclusive NC State Pathway for CollegeNow Engineering graduates to receive a Tuition Freedom Scholarship to complete years three and four of their bachelor’s degree.
North Central State College will provide up to an Associate’s Degree tuition free. Students may be responsible for lab fees, books, etc. but additional financial aid is available for many students. Persons eligible are NCSC College Credit Plus or Career Tech students, from a partner secondary school. This provides the opportunity for students to continue their education after graduating from high school.
The TFS is a “last dollar scholarship” which means that its value can be reduced by the amount of other “free” financial aid you receive.
Tuition Freedom will pay for a maximum of 64 credit hours of courses as long as you are pursuing an Associate’s Degree as a full-time student. Credits taken as a CCP student in high school are counted as part of the 64 maximum credit hours. Books and fees are not covered by Tuition Freedom.
CNOW Engineering students must pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology to qualify. If a CNOW Engineering student changes their major, they will forfeit the scholarship.
You may also be interested in College Credit Plus.
General Application Submitted no later than June 26, 2025
Tuition Freedom Scholarship Application - Must be completed by June 26, 2025
FAFSA Application Submitted no later than June 26, 2025
Return Signed Acceptance Agreement for TFS
Requested Documentation Returned to Financial Aid
Complete New Student Orientation Before August 1st
Qualifications and Steps to Take Advantage of the Tuition Freedom Scholarship for FALL 2025
- Graduate High School in 2025.
- Complete 8-9* credit hours of college credit for CCP/CTE/CTAG for TFS 64 (9 hours for direct admits to health programs)
- Complete 6-7* credit hours of college credit CCP/CTE/CTAG for TFS 32 (7 hours for direct admits to health programs)
- Credit obtained through North Central State College (NCSC) College Credit Plus (CCP)
- Credit can also be obtained by utilizing current articulation agreements in place with NCSC and Career Tech Centers.
- Complete CollegeNow engineering associates degree.
- Achieve a 2.75 grade point average in all North Central State College CCP classes. Career Tech students must have achieved a 2.75 GPA in their articulated technical course work and all students must have a 2.75 high school cumulative GPA.
- Apply to the college using the NC State General Application, opens in a new window.
You must declare a major. Undeclared/Undecided majors will not qualify for the scholarship. - Complete the Tuition Freedom Scholarship Application by June 26, 2025.
This is in addition to the college application completed in previous step. - Complete the FAFSA, opens in a new window.
The 2025-2026 FAFSA Application must be completed by June 26, 2025. Submit any additional information requested from financial aid by July 10, 2025. - Attend a Connect to College New Student Orientation program (offered April to August).
- Maintain Full-Time Student status (12-18 Credit Hours per semester).
You must enroll full-time Fall-Spring terms until your degree is completed. Summer after the first year is optional. Maintain full-time status for the duration of the semester. Earn 30 semester hours per year. - Maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA.
Please note that completing a Tuition Freedom Scholarship Application does not confirm eligibility for scholarship. Student who are eligible for the scholarship will be sent a scholarship offer letter and agreement. Students wishing to accept the scholarship must have the compete signed agreement returned back by the posted deadline.
*North Central State College reserves the right to alter these criteria or eliminate the Tuition Freedom Program at any time.