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Florida vs North Carolina: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? North Carolina offers higher average awards but fewer opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger grants. Florida provides more opportunities with a lower average award, appealing to those who prefer a broader range of options.

State vs State

State A

Florida

State B

North Carolina

Quick comparison

MetricFloridaNorth Carolina
Active scholarships in catalog96188
Avg. award (where known)$1,880$2,964
Max indexed award$34,345$10,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Florida presents a vibrant scholarship landscape with a total of 495 grants available, averaging $1,857.59 per award. The state is home to several top universities, including Eastern Florida State College and the University of North Florida, which collectively offer a significant number of scholarships. In contrast, North Carolina has a more limited scholarship pool with only 44 grants, but these come with a higher average award size of $2,890.45. Notable institutions in North Carolina include the Foundation For The Carolinas and the Chapel Hill Carrboro Public School Foundation, which provide substantial funding opportunities for students.

Top Scholarship Providers in Florida

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in North Carolina

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Scholarship climate by state

Florida

Florida's scholarship climate is characterized by a high volume of opportunities, making it accessible for a larger number of applicants, albeit with lower average award sizes.

North Carolina

North Carolina's scholarship environment offers fewer opportunities but compensates with higher average award amounts, appealing to those who prioritize larger funding.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Florida

Median household income

$72,373

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,459

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

22.28/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,880

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 23.86 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

higher indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

67

ADI counties

67

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 67 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 67 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

North Carolina

Median household income

$71,866

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,102

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.80/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,970

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.83 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

higher indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

100

ADI counties

100

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 100 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 100 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Florida?
The average scholarship amount in Florida is approximately $1,857.59.
How many scholarships are available in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a total of 44 scholarships available.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship amount?
Florida has the highest maximum scholarship amount of $34,345.
What are the top universities offering scholarships in Florida?
Top universities in Florida include Eastern Florida State College, University of North Florida, and Florida Gateway College.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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