Over the past decade, we have made great strides toward achieving this goal. That is one of the reasons the Princeton Review recently named NC State the second best value among public universities.  Since 1996-97, we’ve more than tripled the amount of need-based university-funded scholarships and grants we provide to students, from $8.77 million in the 1996-97 academic year, to $29.06 million in 2006-07.

NC State formalized and reaffirmed its historical commitment to access, affordability, and student success by creating Pack Promise, a financial aid and student success initiative. The first class of freshman Pack Promise Scholars enrolled for the 2006-07 year. Pack Promise guarantees that NC State’ s neediest students will have 100 percent of their financial need met through a combination of scholarships, grants, Federal Work-Study employment and need-based loans. And through unique mentoring, academic support and advising, undergraduate research opportunities and financial aid counseling, student success and timely graduation will also be ensured.

    All told – when you combine university-funded aid with aid from private, federal and state sources – in 2006-07 NC State awarded more than $130 million in need- and merit-based scholarships, grants, loans and work-study packages to more than 13,000 undergraduates.

    Almost 8,200 of these students qualified for aid based on financial need. Their average aid package was almost $11,400 and about 84 percent of need-based aid went to in-state students.

    We can help you, too. Our staff of financial aid advisers is available year-round to answer your questions, inform you about the full range of financial aid resources available to students and parents, as well as help you apply for financial aid.  You can trust that the staff will offer you the best funding options available to you depending upon the timing of your application for aid, your level of financial need, and availability of funding. Also, our staff is committed to providing you with choices of lenders and loan programs to consider if borrowing funds is necessary.

    If you’d like more information or need application forms, you can call us at (919) 515-2421, or e mail your financial aid adviser directly. For your financial aid adviser’s name, direct phone number and email address, visit our online staff directory and scroll down to the alphabetical grouping that includes the first letters of your last name. If you prefer to speak with a counselor in person, our office is located at 2016 Harris Hall, adjacent to the stoplight on Dan Allen Drive between Hillsborough Street and Western Boulevard. We’re open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

    We look forward to helping make your dream of attending NC State a reality.