Golden Leaf Foundation scholarship information and applications for 2016-17 are now available online at www.cfnc.org/goldenleaf.
A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients for the 2016-17 academic year. The awards are valued at $12,000 ($3,000 per year for up to four years) for students attending a qualifying North Carolina campus and are funded by a grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation.
The Golden LEAF scholarship program is administered by the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority.
“Over the years, the Golden Leaf Foundation has awarded over $32 million to help more than 13,700 students from rural North Carolina attend N.C. four-year public or private colleges and universities or N.C. community colleges,” said program manager Edna Williams of the education assistance authority. “Recipients also may have the opportunity to participate in the Golden Leaf Scholars Leadership Program.”
To be considered for these scholarships, an applicant must:
• Be enrolled during the 2015-16 academic year at a North Carolina public or private high school or a North Carolina community college
• Enroll for fall 2016 as a full-time, degree-seeking freshman or transfer from a North Carolina community college at one of the 57 qualifying public universities or private colleges and universities in the state
• Be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes with a permanent residence in one of 78 qualifying rural counties
• Demonstrate financial need; and
• Submit a Golden Leaf Scholarship application, available at www.cfnc.org/goldenleaf, a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) available at www.fafsa.gov and a current high school or community college transcript no later than March 1.
A complete list of program requirements, participating campuses and qualifying counties can be viewed at www.cfnc.org/goldenleaf.
Scholarship recipients also may apply for the Golden Leaf Scholars Leadership Program. This program, offered through the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, provides leadership-building seminars, a summer internship and a stipend.
Students completing all four years of the leadership program can receive up to $8,830 in stipends in addition to the Golden Leaf scholarship award. Information is available at http://goldenleaf.org/files/leadership_program.pdf.
The Golden Leaf Scholarship application deadline is March 1.
For more information, contact the College Foundation of North Carolina toll-free at 866-866-CFNC.