Frequently Asked Questions

Please review the first-year and transfer applicants criteria listed on the First-Year and Transfer page of our website.
Note that the criteria are slightly different between first-year and transfer applicants.

You can also learn about our criteria by visiting our YouTube channel.

Eligible majors listed in alphabetical order:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Agricultural Education
• Agricultural & Environmental Technology Agricultural Science
• Animal Science
• Applied Mathematics
• Biochemistry
• Biological Engineering
• Biological Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering
• Bioprocessing Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Construction Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Elementary Education
• Engineering, Undeclared
• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Sciences
• Environmental Technology & Management Fisheries, Wildlife & Conservation Biology Food Science
• Forest Management
• Genetics
• Geology
• Horticultural Science
• Industrial Engineering
• Marine Sciences
• Materials Science & Engineering Mathematics
• Mathematics Education
• Mechanical Engineering
• Meteorology
• Microbiology
• Middle Grades Education, Math & Science Natural Resources
• Nuclear Engineering
• Nutrition Science
• Paper Science & Engineering
• Physics
• Plant & Soil Sciences
• Plant Biology
• Polymer & Color Chemistry
• Poultry Science
• Science Education
• Statistics
• Sustainable Materials & Technology Technology, Engineering & Design Education Textile Engineering
• Textile Technology
• Turfgrass Science
• Zoology

No. All students who qualify as residents of North Carolina, as well as international students who are living in North Carolina and will graduate from a North Carolina high school or community college, are eligible for this scholarship. This includes visa holders, refugees, DACA and undocumented students.

No. We do not accept school nominations.

Meeting all of our eligibility criteria does not guarantee you will receive an invitation to apply. Each year, the number of eligible candidates consistently exceeds the number of invitations we are able to distribute.

No, receiving our invitation does not guarantee admission to NC State.

It depends on the status you select when applying to NC State. With that being said, early college students are generally encouraged to apply to NC State as first-year students because of the greater number of funding and programming opportunities available compared to transfer students. 

Yes.

We primarily assess academic performance using grades, weighted and unweighted GPA, and class rank. We do not look at test scores as a part of our application review process. As we move along in our selection process, we focus on the quality and content of a candidate’s application and interview.

No. We do not accept letters of recommendation.

Yes. While you cannot be both a Park Scholar and a Goodnight Scholar, we encourage you to participate in both selection processes until a decision has been made on your candidacy and, if necessary, you are asked to choose which program you will join.

Yes! Please contact one of our Goodnight Ambassadors today!

The spirit of the Goodnight Scholars Program for transfer students is to support North Carolina community college students who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree from a four-year university.

NC State Admissions would classify you as a transfer student from your four-year institution and not the community college, which would make you ineligible for the Goodnight Scholars Program.

Yes, spring transfer admits will be considered for an invitation to apply for the fall transfer cohort. Spring transfer admits apply to the program during their first semester at NC State.

Candidates with AGIs slightly above $120,000 may still be eligible. We know that there are unique factors that can impact a candidate’s financial situation such as having multiple students in college at the same time or sudden major medical expenses. In the Goodnight Scholars Program self-nomination form, you will be able to explain any of these unique factors. Candidates with AGIs significantly above the $120,000 threshold are ineligible for this scholarship. AGI information can be found on Form 1040 of an individual’s tax return.

By completing the self-nomination form. Prospective NC State students who wish to be considered for an invitation to apply may nominate themselves for consideration. This form also allows students to share unique academic and/or financial circumstances that they feel may cause them to be overlooked for an invitation to apply. Self-nomination does not guarantee an invitation to apply, nor is it required to receive an invitation to apply. 

First-year candidates for the Goodnight Scholars Program must submit their FAFSA by February 15th.

Transfer candidates for the Goodnight Scholars Program must submit their FAFSA by March 1st.

Tuition and fees, housing and meals up to $23,000 per academic year as outlined in the NC State cost of attendance for in-state undergraduate students.

First-Year Students: Goodnight Scholars who arrive as first-year students receive their scholarship for 4 years (or 8 semesters). Students can postpone receiving their scholarship to participate in co-op; otherwise Goodnight Scholars are expected to use their scholarship funds within the designated time.

Transfer Students: Goodnight Scholars who arrive as transfer students receive their scholarship for 3 years (or 6 semesters). Students can postpone receiving their scholarship to participate in co-op; otherwise Goodnight Scholars are expected to use their scholarship funds within the designated time.

We select cohorts of 50 first-year students and 50 transfer students.

No. However, if you have money leftover from your Goodnight Scholarship after your semester expenses have been paid, you can use those funds towards the purchase of a computer with approval from the Goodnight Scholars Program and the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid. Students can only receive approval to purchase a computer once during their time at NC State.

Yes. If you live off-campus, the remaining balance from your scholarship (after your tuition and fees have been paid) will be deposited into your bank account near the beginning of each semester, which can be used towards rent. The Goodnight Scholars Program does not approve requests to receive these funds in advance.

Goodnight Scholars can receive most other departmental scholarships in conjunction with their Goodnight Scholarship. Goodnight Scholars cannot receive certain university scholarships in addition to their Goodnight, such as the GSK/C3 scholarship or the Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship. Therefore, if a student receives one of these university scholarships, and then also receives the Goodnight, the other university scholarship may be rescinded.

Unfortunately, we are not authorized to provide tax advice. Since tax liability depends on each individual’s circumstances, scholars should consult a personal tax advisor with any questions or concerns. We also encourage you to reference the IRS Topic Number 421 – Scholarships, Fellowship Grants and Other Grants and the IRS Publication 970 – Tax Benefits for Education to gain a complete understanding of education-related taxes and credits. In addition, the Poole College of Management accounting students offer Free Income Tax Prep Service for students.

Yes. All Goodnight Scholars are expected to earn a set number of participation hours per academic year to maintain their status in the Goodnight Scholars Program.

Examples include faculty and industry dinners, professional development workshops, cultural and artistic performances and athletic competitions. For more information about our programs, visit our programming page.

Yes. All first-year Goodnight Scholars are required to enroll in GSP 250 in the first semester of their first year, and GSP 251 in the first semester of their second year. Transfer students are required to enroll in GSP 252 in the first semester of their first year. These courses emphasize personal and professional development, goal setting, values assessment, career identity and written and oral communication.