The Park Scholarships application for NC State University’s Class of 2031 is open now. It is a four-year, full-cost undergraduate scholarship valued at approximately US$129,000 for in-state students and US$244,000 for out-of-state students. Applicants must submit both the NC State admission application and the separate Park Scholarships application by November 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Quick facts
- Host: NC State University, United States
- Level: First-year bachelor’s study in any NC State discipline
- Funding: Tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, computer stipend and personal expenses
- Estimated value: About US$129,000 in-state or US$244,000 out-of-state over four years
- Number available: Approximately 38 awards
- Deadline: November 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
- Status checked: Open on September 25, 2026
Who can apply?
You must meet all of the following conditions:
- Have a minimum 3.80 unweighted GPA, without rounding.
- Be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or be graduating from a high school located in the United States regardless of citizenship.
- Apply for fall 2027 first-year admission to an NC State bachelor’s programme.
- Demonstrate strong accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service and character.
Important international-applicant limit: this is not a worldwide scholarship for students completing secondary school abroad. A non-U.S. citizen can qualify only through the stated U.S.-high-school route. Transfer applicants are not eligible.
What does the Park Scholarship cover?
For the Class of 2031, NC State lists a four-year package that includes:
- Tuition and mandatory fees
- Room and board
- Books and supplies
- Travel
- A computer stipend
- Personal expenses
- Separate grants for approved research, service, conferences and other professional or personal enrichment in the United States or abroad
The programme also provides a four-year leadership-development curriculum, retreats, learning laboratories and faculty mentoring. Funding values are estimates published by the programme and differ by residency classification.
Documents and application components
The Park Scholarships application and the NC State admission application are separate. Prepare:
- The NC State first-year application through Common App or Coalition on Scoir
- An official high-school transcript
- The admission personal essay and NC State short-answer responses
- The separate Park application
- Two Park Scholarships recommendations
- Details of advanced coursework completed
- Two Park Scholarships essays
- Your activities and honours information
General recommendations sent with the NC State application are not visible to the Park selection committee, so the two Park recommendations must be completed through the scholarship process.
Tests, English proficiency and application fees
SAT or ACT scores are not required for the Park Scholarships application. If you submit scores to NC State and ask for them to be considered for admission, the Park programme may also consider them.
NC State’s standard first-year page lists a non-refundable US$85 application fee and possible fee waivers. Its international guidance separately lists a US$100 fee for applicants processed as international students and says F- or J-visa students cannot use an application-fee waiver. Follow the amount shown for your applicant type in the official portal.
Applicants processed as international students may need official TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test or PTE results sent electronically. NC State waives the English test in specified cases, including students who attended a U.S. high school from the beginning of Grade 10 through Grade 12, or qualifying official SAT/ACT reading subscores. Check the current official international guidance for the full test and waiver rules; do not assume a waiver.
How to apply
- Confirm eligibility. Check the 3.80 unweighted GPA, citizenship/U.S.-high-school and first-year-entry rules.
- Choose two NC State majors. Review programme-specific requirements, especially for studio-based majors.
- Submit the NC State admission application. Use Common App or Coalition on Scoir and arrange the official transcript.
- Access wolfPAW. NC State sends portal credentials after receiving the admission application.
- Complete the separate Park application. Enter coursework, request two recommendations and answer both scholarship essays.
- Submit both applications by November 1. The official cutoff is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Monitor the selection process. The Park programme says all applicants will be notified of their initial status by December 18, 2026.
Selection priorities
Park Scholars are selected for evidence of scholarship, leadership, service and character. Strong applications connect sustained activity to concrete impact. Use specific examples in the essays, and choose recommenders who can describe how you lead, serve others and respond to challenges—not simply repeat grades already shown on the transcript.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Park Scholarship fully funded?
It is a four-year full-cost award. NC State explicitly lists tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, travel, a computer stipend and personal expenses, plus access to enrichment grants.
Can international students apply?
Only in a limited sense. A student who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can be eligible if they are graduating from a high school located in the United States. Students finishing secondary school outside the U.S. are not included in the programme’s stated eligibility.
Is there a nomination requirement?
No school nomination is listed. Eligible students complete the separate Park Scholarships application themselves.
Are SAT or ACT scores required?
No. The Park Scholarships application is test-optional. Scores are considered only when they are submitted to NC State and the applicant asks for them to be used in admission review.
Can transfer students apply?
No. The award is for applicants seeking fall first-year admission to an NC State bachelor’s programme.
What is the exact deadline?
Both the NC State admission application and Park Scholarships application are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 1, 2026.
Official sources
- Park Scholarships application, eligibility, documents and deadline
- Official award value, covered costs and number of scholarships
- NC State first-year application requirements and standard fee
- NC State international fee, transcript and English-test guidance
Related opportunities
ScholarshipHubNow independently verifies opportunities from official sources. Requirements can change; always complete the application using the university’s current instructions.
