Results are reported for the passivation of interface states near the conduction band edge in n-4H-SiC using post-oxidation anneals in nitric oxide, ammonia and forming gas (N2/5%H2). Anneals in nitric oxide and ammonia reduce the interface state density significantly, while forming gas anneals are largely ineffective. Results suggest that interface states in SiO2/SiC and SiO2/Si have different origins, and a model is described for interface state passivation by nitrogen in the SiO2/SiC system. The inversion channel mobility of 4H-SiC MOSFETs increases with the NO annealing.