List of college scholarships available for North Carolina students

College can be really expensive, so The News & Observer put together a list of scholarship opportunities for North Carolinans and those applying to NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC Central University or Duke University.

Here’s how to look for scholarships and where you can find some to snag:

How to apply for scholarships

The N&O previously spoke to Johanna Donovan, senior assistant director in NC State’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, for advice on seeking scholarships. Here’s what she said:

Cast a wide net, but start local.

• Students should focus their search locally, then county, then state and finally, nationally.
• Start first with local social and civic organizations such as the Rotary Club, Soroptimist Club, Elks, Moose, Ruritan and other such organizations in your area.
• Clubs such as the local garden club, bowling league and even your church may also have scholarships for member’s students.
• Students should investigate any clubs or organizations that they, their parents or even grandparents belong to or are employed with to see if they offer scholarships to dependents of members or employees.

Search for scholarships within your field of interest.

• Search for scholarships offered through local companies that employ graduates in your area of academic interest.
• For example, if you want to be an engineer, get a list of local engineering firms and contact them to see if they have any scholarship opportunities.

Apply, apply, apply.

• Small value scholarships add up!
• And you should never pay a fee to search for scholarships on websites. If you’re paying to search for scholarships or to apply to scholarships, that can be a red flag that the scholarship is a scam.
• Fastweb, Scholarships.com and Niche are some free sites to scour.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of scholarships available for NC students:

NC State scholarships

Scholarships are funded by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and by each of the 10 colleges of NC State University. There are college-based scholarships, employee-affiliated scholarships, current student distinctive scholarships and more.

Here are some rising-freshmen distinctive scholarships that NC State offers:

• Park Scholarships: Prestigious, competitive academic scholarship program for students who demonstrated exceptional academic ability, potential in leadership and service, and exemplary character.

• General Hugh Shelton Leadership Initiative Scholarship: Competitive academic scholarship program to promote the mission of the Shelton initiative, “to inspire, educate and develop value-based leaders committed to personal integrity, professional ethics and selfless service.”

• Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship: Program for students who demonstrated leadership potential, academic achievement, personal talents, unique work or service experience, and financial need. Applicants should demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of diversity.

• Goodnight Scholars Program: The Goodnight Scholars Program is a unique scholarship for outstanding students in the STEM and education disciplines. It is available to students from low- and middle-income North Carolina families, and is valued at $20,500 per year for up to four years.

(Source: studentservices.ncsu.edu)

NC Central scholarships

NC Central offers two prestigious scholarships – the Cheatham-White Scholarship and Chancellor Cycle of Success Scholarships – among others.

The Cheatham-White Scholarship is a fully funded four-year scholarship. The scholarship covers full tuition and fees, housing, meals, textbooks, a laptop, travel and personal expenses. Each scholarship also includes four summers of fully funded enrichment and networking opportunities that may include international travel and study. Applicants do not have to be residents of North Carolina. Info: nccu.edu

The Chancellor’s Cycle of Success Scholarships recognize as well as reward new first-time entering undergraduate students who have exemplified academic excellence. These scholarships are awarded based on entering students’ cumulative GPA. There are three tiers to these scholarships: $7,500 (Soaring Eagle), $3,500 (Rising Eagle) and $2,500 (Eagle in Flight). Info: nccu.edu

(Source: nccu.edu/ssa/scholarships)

Duke University scholarships

Duke University offers merit scholarships to first-year students, which cover the cost of tuition, room and board and mandatory fees for four years of full-time undergraduate studies. First-year applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships. Here are a few of these merit scholarships:

• The Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship recognizes the exceptional academic and personal accomplishments of students of African heritage. Info: ousf.duke.edu

• The Trinity Scholarships recognize students with outstanding academic achievement from various areas of North and South Carolina. Some Trinity awards also require demonstrated financial need. Info: ousf.duke.edu

• The Alumni Endowed Scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement in children or grandchildren of Duke Alumni who demonstrate some financial need. Info: ousf.duke.edu

(Source: ousf.duke.edu)

UNC-Chapel Hill scholarships

UNC-Chapel Hill has over a dozen academic scholarship opportunities for students. Here are a few:

• The Blue Sky Scholarship is awarded to students from middle-income North Carolina families and is based on outstanding academic achievement and a demonstrated, strong sense of responsibility. Recipients also receive a $2,500 Carolina Works work-study offer and a one-time $2,500 enrichment opportunity grant to use for study abroad, internships or research.

• Innovation Scholarships are offered to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and a readiness to start new entrepreneurial ventures.

• The Pogue Scholarship is awarded to students who show outstanding academic achievement in high school as well as commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their communities. To be considered for the Pogue Scholarship, apply for admission by the Early Action deadline.

(Source: studentaid.unc.edu/incoming)

2022 Scholarships for North Carolinians

The College Foundation of North Carolina has dozens of scholarships on its website. Here are a few of the scholarships that have an NC residency requirement:

• Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship: You must be a graduating NC HS senior or current NC community college transfer student planning to enroll for the first time as a full-time degree seeking student at an eligible NC college or university, and you must be a resident of an eligible rural county as identified by the Golden LEAF Foundation. Amount: $14,000 Deadline: March 1 Info: cfnc.org

• NC Retail Merchants Scholarship: NC residents who are high school seniors entering college in the fall, college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are affiliated with NCRMA member firms. Students who work or have a parent or spouse who works in the retail industry. Amount: $2,500 Deadline: March 29 Info: ncrma.org

• Neyhart Scholarship: Students with kidney disease, kidney transplant or children of parents with kidney disease or transplant. Amount: $4,500 Deadline: June 1 Info: unckidneycenter.org

• North Carolina Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Scholarship: For females with 2.5 GPA or higher. Currently enrolled (full or part-time) at an accredited community college, college or university. Amount: $1,500 Deadline: April 15 Info: bpw-nc.wildapricot.org

• North Carolina Hospitality Education Foundation Graduate Student Scholarship: Pursuing a course of study in culinary arts, hospitality management or tourism. Amount: $750 to $1,500 Deadline: March 12 Info: ncrla.org

(Source: cfnc.org/pay-for-college)

Scholarships.com has long lists of state-specific scholarships. Here are a few for North Carolinians:

• NACME Scholars (Block Grant) Program: NACME is the largest provider of college scholarships for underrepresented minorities pursuing degrees at schools of engineering. Amount: $16,000 Deadline: Varies Info: nacme.org

• Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarships: Applicants must demonstrate financial need; plan to enroll as a full-time student in a degree program at N.C. State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, or UNC-Greensboro; currently reside and attend high school in Alamance, Bertie, Caswell, Durham, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Swain, or Warren counties. Amount: $12,000 Deadline: January 31 Info: cfnc.org

• Riding Forward Scholarship: Tell us about an African-American who inspired you and you could earn a $5,000 or $3,500 college scholarship in celebration of Black History Month and those who have inspired the next generation to make history. Amount: $5,000 Deadline: March 31 Info: regions.com

• Southern Automotive Womens Forum Scholarship: The SAWF Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to women enrolled or enrolling in a STEM field at an accredited two-year technical program, four-year undergraduate program, or a graduate program who have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA. Amount: $5,000 Deadline: March 20 Info: southernautomotivewomen.org

• Korean American Scholarship Foundation-Eastern Regional Chapter: The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) offers the Eastern Regional Chapter Scholarship to students with a Korean heritage studying in the United States regardless of citizenship status (including Korean Nationals). Amount: $2,000 Deadline: June 30 Info: kasf.org

(Source: scholarships.com/financial-aid)

The Winston-Salem Foundation offers scholarships to local students. For application information, visit wsfoundation.org/scholarships.

Here’s what the foundation has listed on its website:

• Boyles-Eidson Scholarship Fund: Provides scholarships for graduating high school seniors at Elkin High School in Surry County, NC. Contact: Elkin High School Guidance Office at (336) 835-3858

• Dr. Eugene Rossitch, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund: Provides scholarships for graduating high school valedictorians at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School. Contact: Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School Guidance Office at (336) 564-1010

• Edward Kent Welch Memorial Scholarship: Provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors at Mt. Tabor High School who will attend UNC-Chapel Hill. Contact: Mt. Tabor High School Guidance Office at (336) 703-6728

• Emma Kapp Ogburn Memorial Fund: Provides scholarships to Forsyth County residents, who are of the Methodist denomination, and who will pursue education for the Methodist ministry or Christian education. Contact: Stacy Holley at sholley@centenary-ws.org or 336-724-6311, ext. 1359

• Fred Colby Hobson Scholarship Fund: Provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Forbush High School, Starmount High School and Yadkin Early College in Yadkin County, NC. Contact: Forbush High School Guidance Office at (336) 961-4644, Starmount High School Guidance Office at (336) 468-2891, or Yadkin Early College at 336-386-3579

• Hispanic League Scholarship: Provides scholarships for past or present ELL or LEP students. Contact: Mari Jo Turner at marijo@hispanicleague.org

• J. Lee Keiger, Jr. Family Fund: Provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors at Alleghany High School in Alleghany County, NC. Contact: Alleghany County Educational Foundation at (336) 372-5010

• Jeannette Anderson Parker Memorial Scholarship Fund: Provides scholarships for graduating high school seniors at R.J. Reynolds High School. Contact: R.J. Reynolds High School Office of Student Services at 336-703-4146

• Josh Gray Memorial Scholarship: Provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are varsity soccer team members at Mt. Tabor High School. Contact: Mt. Tabor High School Guidance Office at (336) 703-6700

• R.J. Reynolds High School Class of 1968 Memorial Scholars Fd: Provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors at R.J. Reynolds High School. Contact: R.J. Reynolds High School Office of Student Services at 336-703-4146

• Robert G. Prongay Key Club Scholarship: Provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are Key Club members from Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin counties. Contact: Key Club Faculty Advisors at county high schools or contact Richard St. Clair at (336) 723-7269.

• Yadkin County Association of Educators (YCAE) Scholarship Fd: Provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors whose parents are members of the YCAE. Contact: Forbush High School Guidance Office at (336) 961-4644, Starmount High School Guidance Office at (336) 468-2891, or Yadkin Early College at 336-386-3579

(Source: wsfoundation.org/other-scholarships)

Access Scholarships lists tons of scholarships for students all over the country on its website. Here are a few North Carolina-specific opportunities:

• Greenhouse Scholars Program: This scholarship provides critical personal and professional support, plus financial subsidies ($5,000 per year for a maximum of four years). Applicants must have an annual household income no greater than $70,000 for a family of four. Amount: $5,000 Deadline: November 5 Info: accessscholarships.com

• North Carolina Hispanic College Fund Scholarship: Scholarship recipients are recent graduates of North Carolina high schools who are of Hispanic/Latino background. Preference will be given to foreign-born applicants or the native-born children of foreign-born parents. Amount: $2,500 Deadline: January 15 Info: accessscholarships.com

• Jaime Leon Youth Awards: Applicants must be a NC High School graduating senior / incoming freshman student attending an institution of higher education (College/University). They must be at least 50% of Hispanic/Latino descent and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Amount: $750 Deadline: September 1 Info: accessscholarships.com

(Source: accessscholarships.com/search-scholarships)

This story was originally published August 29, 2022 at 6:01 AM with the headline "List of college scholarships available for North Carolina students."

Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska

The News & Observer

919-419-6630

Kimberly Tutuska (she/her) is the editor of North Carolina’s service journalism team.