NC Patriot STAR Family Scholarship Program Grant

The NC Patriot STAR Family Scholarship Program, initiated by the Patriot Foundation in 2003, offers financial support to military families in North Carolina. This scholarship, funded by the NC Legislature, is available to children and spouses of fallen or disabled veterans, as well as qualifying disabled veterans. Each semester, recipients may receive approximately $2,000 to assist with educational costs at NC post-secondary institutions, ensuring accessible education for those who serve our country.

Since its inception in 2003, Patriot Foundation has utilized donations from corporate partners, private foundations, and individual donors to fund these scholarships to our military communities throughout the country. In 2020, Patriot Foundation and the North Carolina Legislature entered into a public/private partnership. It was one of the first of its kind. The allocations from the State allow Patriot Foundation to increase scholarship support of North Carolina military families attending North Carolina post-secondary institutions
The Star Scholarship program is funded annually through the NC Legislature and has the same eligibility criteria as the Recovery Program, except it does not have specific household income requirements.
Star Scholarships are available to the children and spouses of fallen or disabled veterans, children of injured active-duty service members, as well as qualifying disabled veterans. Applicants must be NC residents accepted to or attending NC post-secondary institutions. Disabled veterans must have a VA disability rating of at least 50%.
Funding
Star Scholarship Amount: Approximately $2,000.00 per semester.
Funds may be used to cover up to the cost of attendance. Applicants must have qualifying expenses not met by other grants, stipends, or scholarships.

Eligibility

Eligible institutions include any of the following: A constituent institution of The University of North Carolina.
A community college under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Community Colleges.
A junior college, senior college, or university that meets all the following requirements:Is operated and governed by private interests not under the control of the federal government, the State, or any local government.
Has a main permanent campus, as defined in G.S. 116-280(4), located within the State of North Carolina.
Does not operate for profit.
The curriculum is primarily directed toward the awarding of associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees.
Meets one of the following requirements:Is a private educational institution as defined in G.S. 143B-1224.
Is accredited by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a reliable authority concerning the quality of education or training offered by institutions of higher education.A private vocational institution, including Federal Aviation Administration certificated aviation training programs.Select your relationship to the service member or veteran to view the specific eligibility requirements.Child:Attending or accepted to NC post-secondary school
Resident of NC, or parent is active-duty permanently stationed in NC
Registered for Selective Service, if applicable
Sponsoring service member meets one of the following residency criteria:Current resident of NC
Was permanently stationed in NC at the time of death
Active duty permanently stationed in NCSponsoring service member meets following service criteria:Killed in the line of duty
Veteran living with a disability rating of 50% or greater
Active-duty service member incurred traumatic wounds or illnessSpouse:Attending or accepted to NC post-secondary school
Registered for Selective Service, if applicable
Sponsoring service member meets one of the following residency criteria:Resident of NC
Was a resident of NC at the time of entrance into service
Was permanently stationed in NC at the time of deathSponsoring service member meets following service criteria:Killed in the line of duty
Died from service-connected injury or illness
Veteran living with a disability rating of 50% or greaterVeteran:Attending or accepted to NC post-secondary school