Scholarship Information

Rotary Club Scholarship - This scholarship is open to Wayne County high school seniors planning to attend a 4-year institution of higher education. Application includes an essay, 2 letters of recommendation and a transcript. The award amount is $1,000.  Applicants will be judged on character, scholastic record and demonstration of ambition and leadership as evidenced through school, community and church activities. Deadline is April 1st.

Buick Achievers Scholarship Program - If you have the passion to succeed – especially in fields of study related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is looking for you. This year, we will award 50 renewable scholarships of up to $25,000 per year.

Applicants must:

  • Be high school seniors, high school graduates, or current post-secondary undergraduate students.

  • Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university based in the U.S. or Puerto Rico for the entire 2016-17 academic year. Proprietary and online schools are not eligible.

  • Plan to major in a specified course of study that focuses on Engineering, Technology, Design or other programs of study related to the automotive industry.  See the list of eligible majors.

  • Demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in the automotive or related industries using these areas of study.

  • Be U.S. citizens and have permanent residence in the United States or Puerto Rico.

  • Excluded from consideration are employees and relatives of employees of Scholarship Management Services, Scholarship America and their affiliates and subcontractors, and GM Foundation directors, officers and staff and their relatives. Although GM employees are not eligible, relatives of General Motors employees are eligible.

Scholarship recipients are selected based on the following factors:

  • Academic achievement and financial need

  • Participation and leadership in community and school activities, work experience and interest in pursuing a career in the automotive or related industries

  • Please note, special consideration will be given to the following applicants: first-generation college attendees, females, minorities, military veterans and dependents of military personnel

  • The majority of the scholarships will be awarded to students majoring in STEM disciplines.

The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is offering:

  • Up to $25,000 per year to 50 first-time or existing college students, renewable for up to four years, and one additional year for those entering a qualified five-year engineering program

  • The actual award amount will not exceed the total cost of the student’s tuition, fees, books, supplies, required equipment, room and board and other allowable expenses, less other gift aid known at the time of application (scholarships, grants and other awards that do not have to be paid back). Awards are renewable for the given years noted above or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Renewal is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), full-time enrollment and continuing to major in an eligible field of study.

Awards are for students of any age, for undergraduate study only.

To apply or see more information, visit: http://buickachievers.com/
Deadline is Feb. 29th.

Crumley Roberts Next Step Scholarship - Each year, Crumley Roberts awards three $2,500 scholarships to North Carolina community college students planning to transfer to accredited four-year colleges or universities.

Applicant must be a community college student who will be transferring to an accredited four-year college or university in fall 2016. Students must be 18 years of age by September 1, 2016, and scholarship funds will be distributed only after student who has been selected for the receipt of the scholarship has reached 18 years of age. Students must have a minimum weighted community college GPA of 3.2 and must submit two (2) letters of recommendation from a professor, counselor or another adult who is familiar with an applicant’s academic achievements and/or extracurricular activities.
To apply and to see more details, go to:
http://www.crumleyroberts.com/community/next-step-scholarship/
Deadline is April 1st.

NC Bar Association Scholarship Program - The North Carolina Bar Association provides scholarships to college students who are the children of slain or permanently disabled North Carolina law enforcement officers.

Applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be the natural or adopted child of a North Carolina law enforcement officer who was killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

  • Apply prior to reaching his/her 27th birthday.

  • Be enrolled or accepted for admission in a college, vocational training school or other educational institution approved by the scholarship committee of the Young Lawyers Division of the NC Bar Association.

  • Demonstrate financial need and merit.

  • Download an application at:  http://www.ncbar.org/media/616285/yldscholarship2016.pdf

Deadline is April 1st.

The Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) Program- Established in 2011 by the North Carolina General Assembly, the Forgivable Education Loan for Service Program provides financial assistance to qualified students who are committed to working in North Carolina in fields designated as critical employment shortage professions.  FELS loan recipients must sign a promissory note that will require them to seek loan forgiveness through employment in an approved position or repay the loan in cash. Loan forgiveness is described in the FELS Rules. Generally, a loan for one academic year will be forgiven for one year of full-time employment. Loans will accrue interest at the rate of 8% per year from the date of the loan disbursement. Recipients cannot receive FELS funding concurrently with other state-funded loans.

Eligibility - A student must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for FELS:

  • Be a legal North Carolina resident and NC resident for tuition purposes

At the time of application, present a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of:

  • 3.00 for graduating high school students (weighted GPA)

  • Register with the Selective Service System, if required

  • Must not be in default, or do not owe a refund, under any federal or State loan or grant program

  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the enrolling policy of the institution

  • Be willing to work in NC in a designated critical employment shortage profession

  • Must plan to enroll in at least six credit hours in an approved program at an eligible institution Approved programs include Allied Health fields (Dental Hygiene, Radiology, Physical Therapy, Pharmacy or Pharmacy Tech, Optometry, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Speech Pathology, etc..), nursing and teaching (middle grades, foreign language, biology, chemistry, English as a Second Language, foreign language, math, Physics, Special Ed.)

Annual loan amounts are as follows:

  • 12 credits or more - Certificate, Diploma or Associate degree programs: $3,000 ($1,500/semester)

  • 12 credits or more - Bachelor's degree program: freshman and sophomore $3,000 ($1,500/semester)

  • 12 credits or more - Bachelor's degree program: junior and senior: $7,000 ($3,500/semester)

  • Deadline to apply is April 1, 2016.  Visit https://www.cfnc.org/FELS to apply.

NC Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarships - Three different scholarships are available in the amount $2,000.  See details below:

Clare Johnson Marley - Mary Earle Berger Fine Arts Scholarship – open to any student who is currently graduating from an accredited high school in NC and who expects to enroll in a four-year college or university next fall, and who is declaring as his/her major an area of the fine arts.  This is a one-year (non-renewable) scholarship in the amount of $2,000.  Applicants must:

  • be in the top 20% of their class

  • have a minimum SAT score of 1650 or ACT composite score of 20

  • demonstrate good character

  • participation in extra-curricular activities

Mary Rose Mills – Linda Rankin Memorial Scholarship - open to any student who is currently graduating from an accredited high school in NC and who expects to enroll in a four-year college or university next fall, and who meets eligibility requirements. This is a one-year (non-renewable) scholarship in the amount of $2,000.   Applicants must:

  • have submitted an application to the college of their choice

  • be in the top 10% of their class

  • a minimum score of 1700 or ACT composite score of 22

  • demonstrate good character

  • participation in extra-curricular activities

Eunice Riggins Memorial Scholarship – open to any young woman who is currently graduating from an accredited high school in NC and who expects to enroll in a four-year college or university next fall, and who meets eligibility requirements.  This is a one-year (non-renewable) scholarship in the amount of $2,000.   Applicants must:

  • have submitted an application to the college of their choice

  • be in the top 10% of their class

  • have a minimum SAT score of 1650 or ACT composite score of 20

  • demonstrate good character

  • participation in extra-curricular activities

  • Deadline to apply is March 15th.  See Mrs. Loury for an application.

Golden LEAF  Scholars Program - Scholarships are available to high school seniors or community college transfer students from qualifying counties (of which Wayne is one), who demonstrate financial need, to help them attend college at participating North Carolina public or private institutions or community colleges. 

Recipients are selected based upon multiple factors including grade point average, financial need, length of residence in the county and the ability to communicate a commitment to returning to a rural county that is economically distressed.

Award Amount:  High school seniors are eligible for a four-year scholarship totaling $12,000 ($3,000 a year over four years).  Community college transfer students are eligible for $3,000 a year for up to 3 years.  Years of scholarship support are subject to the number of credits transferred and the degree sought, among other eligibility factors.  Approximately 215 scholarships will be awarded each year.

Visit CFNC.org/goldenleaf to apply.  Deadline is March 1, 2016.

State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) Scholarship – Each year the State Employees Association of NC (SEANC) Scholarship Foundation, Inc., offers academic scholarships to the dependents of SEANC members.  Thirty awards are annual scholarships (15 merit based, 15 financial need) for four-year college or university students.  Eight awards are annual scholarships (4 merit based, 4 financial need) for those students enrolled in a junior college, community college or technical school. 

The scholarship application is available online at http://www.seanc.org/membership/scholarship/ and must be returned completed to the Scholarship Chairperson of the SEANC district of which the parent is a member.  All applications must be postmarked by April 15th. Judging will be conducted at the SEANC district level and the district winner in each category may be forwarded to the SEANC Central Office in Raleigh for statewide competition. 

NOTE: Membership in teachers’ organizations or the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) does not constitute eligibility for a SEANC Foundation scholarship. However, state and local government employees and retirees and state university system scholarship athletes are eligible to join if they so desire.  Visit www.seanc.org to join.

Fayetteville State University Early College Debt-Free Scholarship - NC early college students can attend Fayetteville State University and earn a bachelor's degree DEBT FREE.  Here's how it works:

If you area North Carolina Early College student, have a high school unweighted GPA of 2.75 or higher, and have applied for federal financial aid, you're eligible to apply. *You must be a North Carolina resident to qualify.  The scholarship is available for up to TWO YEARS while enrolled at FSU (excluding summer school).

FSU will award you a scholarship to cover the cost of attendance above any federal and state grants and scholarships you receive and you don't have to accept any loans.  The scholarship will cover the cost for tuition, fees, room and board.  That means living on campus is covered!  What you need to do:

Apply for admission to Fayetteville State University
Fill out the Early College Scholarship Application Form by March 4, 2016.

Seniors:  Are you a military dependent?  Check out these scholarships for military children.  

Veterans United Scholarship Foundation
http://www.veteransunited.com/about/scholarships/
Air Force Aid Society - http://www.afas.org/education-grants
ThanksUSA Scholarship Program
http://www.thanksusa.org/scholarship-program.html
Folds of Honor Scholarships -https://scholarships.foldsofhonor.org/prequalify
Scholarships for Military Children Program
http://www.militaryscholar.org/sfmc/index.html
Wayne County Veterans' Affairs - scholarship packets can be obtained at 2001 E. Ash Street


Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Latino students, as well as related support services.  HSF seeks to give students all the tools they need to apply to college, do well in their course work, graduate, enter a profession, excel, help lead our nation going forward, and mentor the generations to come.

As the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic-American higher education, HSF has awarded over $400 million in scholarships and provides a range of ancillary programs for candidates, scholars, and their families.

To qualify, you must:

  • Be a graduating high school senior

  • Be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or an eligible non-citizen

  • Have plans to enroll FULL-TIME at a two- or four-year U.S. accredited institution in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam, in the upcoming academic year

There are several scholarships students can apply for through this fund all with varying deadlines.  Interested students should visit: www.hsf.net.

The Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship - 

This scholarship is available to high school students who are at least 15 years of age. You must be a registered, active member of a Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team or Venturing Crew chartered to an American Legion post, American Legion Auxiliary unit or Sons of the American Legion squadron. Sons and grandsons of Legionnaire or Auxiliary members may also apply. You must have received the Eagle Scout Award, be an active member of your religious institution and have received the appropriate Boy Scout Religious emblem and have demonstrated practical citizenship in church, school, Scouting and community to qualify for this award. Interested students should visit: http://www.legion.org/scholarships/eaglescout.

NC Reach Scholarship - NC Reach provides educational assistance for NC adoptees and foster youth. It is a state funded scholarship offered for up to 4 years, including fall, spring, and summer school terms. The program funds up to the school’s full cost of attendance after other public funds and scholarships have been applied. North Carolina students are eligible for NC Reach if : 

  • They are legal residents of North Carolina eligible for in-state tuition rates. 

  • They were adopted from North Carolina DSS foster care after age 12 or aged out of NC foster care at age 18 (must have been in NC DSS foster care on 18th birthday.).

  • They are enrolled in one of the 74 North Carolina Public colleges, universities, or community colleges. 

  • They have not yet reached age 26. Student remain eligible until their 26th birthday

Any of the 74 North Carolina public colleges, universities, or community colleges is an eligible educational institution for the NC Reach program. Students should go to the NC Reach website at www.NCReach.org and click on “choose college here” to find a complete guide to North Carolina State Universities and Community Colleges. Eligible students may go online at www.NCReach.org and click on “apply here” for applications and forms. Complete directions are provided at the site.

NC Veterans Affairs Scholarship- This four year scholarship program is designated for students of disabled, deceased, combat or POW/MIA war veterans.In order to meet eligibility, the veteran parent must have been a legal resident of NC at the time of entrance into their service in the military OR be born and raised in NC their entire lives and have a veteran parent. For further qualifying information and scholarship details, please contact LaShaunne Moore at Wayne County Veterans Service Office (731-1490).

Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)

APIASF is based in Washington, DC, and is the country’s largest non profit organization devoted solely to providing scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. www.apiasf.org

UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
As the nation’s oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization, the UNCF’s mission is to provide financial support to its 39 member institutions and increase minority degree attainment by reducing financial barriers to college. www.uncf.org

Other Scholarship Sources:
www.blackexcel.org (scholarship links for African-American students)
http://tmcf.org/our-scholarships- Thurgood Marshall College Fund - for students planning to attend a Historically Black College or University.
http://www.cbcfinc.org/scholarships/ ?- Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship Program
http://www.chci.org/scholarships/ - Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
www.cappex.com
www.zinch.com
www.scholarships.com
www.fastweb.com
www.cfnc.org - click on "pay" then "grants and scholarships"
www.collegeboard.org
www.studentscholarships.org