Foundation for the Carolinas Scholarships

Foundation for the Carolinas manages nearly 150 scholarship funds that help deserving students pursue their educational foals.  Established by generous fund holders, these scholarships provide support for students ranging all educational levels.


Golden Leaf Scholarship

Deadline: March 1

The Golden LEAF Scholars Program provides scholarships to North Carolina students attending independent colleges and universities, students apply directly through a centrally administered program.  The application period for high school seniors opened December 7, 2020.  Recipients must be from Tier 1 or Tier 2 rural, tobacco dependent counties, demonstrate both financial need and merit, and plan to attend participating North Carolina colleges and universities in the fall of 2021. The scholarship is funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation through a grant to the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. Recipients can receive $3,000/year for up to 4 years and there is no limit on the number of Golden LEAF scholars per institution.

To be considered for this award, a student must:

  • Be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes.
  • Be a high school senior enrolling full-time as a first-year student at any participating North Carolina college or university in the fall of 2021.
  • Reside in a rural county that is tobacco dependent and/or economically distressed (Tier 1 or Tier 2 under the 3-Tier designation).
  • Have financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)™.
  • Recipients are selected based on GPA, 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.

Applications to apply for the Golden LEAF Scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year are being accepted until March 1, 2021.  North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) wants to help you promote this opportunity to high school seniors.  We have enclosed an informational flyer you can customize for your campus to give to students.  The flyer includes information about the counties that have been designated Tier I and II counties.


Department of Energy Internships

Deadline: January 7

College students and recent college graduates who are United States citizens may apply to participate in the U. S. Department of Energy Scholars Program.  Stipends start at $600 per week for undergraduates and $650 per week for graduate students.


Gilman-McCain Scholarship

Deadline: October 5

The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.

Eligibility requirements include: U.S. citizen, undergraduate student in good academic standing, dependent of an active duty military member during the time of application, recipient of federal student aid (Title IV), will attend a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program in a country with an overall Travel Advisory of 1 or 2.


UNCF Scholarships

UNCF has helped more than 500,000 students earn their college degrees since its founding.

UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members. Each year, we award more than $100 million in scholarships to students attending more than 1,100 schools across the country, including our prestigious network of 37 HBCUs.


James Madison Graduate Fellowships

Each year, the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Program makes available at least one graduate-level fellowship worth up to $24,000 in each state ($12,000 maximum per academic year). The program emphasizes the framing, principles and history of the Constitution. Current and prospective secondary school teachers of American history, American government and social studies are eligible to apply.


The Winston-Salem Foundation

The Foundation offers scholarships with more general eligibility criteria, as well as scholarships with more specific criteria, such as those for students attending specific high schools or colleges or those pursuing certain fields of study.

Some scholarships entail a one-time award, while many are renewable for three additional years. Additionally, many scholarships are strictly merit-based, while others will also consider family income as a factor.

Most scholarships are designated for students attending Forsyth County high schools, but there are also scholarships designated for students who attend high schools in other locations in our service area.

Some scholarships allow non-Forsyth County residents who attend a Forsyth County high school to qualify as long as they reside in a county in the Foundation’s service area.

The Foundation’s service area includes Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Surry, Stokes, Yadkin and Wilkes counties.

There are two different scholarship application processes: many scholarship applications are made through the Foundation’s Common Application process, while other scholarships utilize their own application process.


Triangle Community Foundation (NC)

Triangle Community Foundation administers a number of endowed and non-endowed scholarship funds established by individual donors and organizations to assist students in continuing their education.


TEFL Academy Scholarships

Deadline: July 1

The TEFL Academy awards scholarships to graduating seniors who are interested in teaching English abroad.


Golden Door Scholars Program

Golden Door is a nonprofit scholarship organization which provides college scholarships to high performing students with DACA. This year Golden Door is excited to announce that we will award the scholarship to up to 50 students across the country who are interested in Computer Science, Tech, Data Science, Engineering, Math or similar fields. These fields are diverse, growing quickly, high paying and have low barriers to entry for DACA recipients. In addition to funding, Golden Door provides 1:1 mentorship and summer internships.


Immigrants Rising List of Outside Scholarships

Immigrant Rising’s List of Undergraduate Scholarships contains scholarships for undergraduate studies that don’t require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency. This up-to-date list, organized by deadline date, contains scholarships at the local (Bay Area), state and national level.


Caring.com Student Care-Giver Annual Scholarship

Deadline: December 31

Caring.com is offering three $1,500 scholarships to university students attending an accredited U.S. college or university who care for aging relatives. Submit your story though a 1,500-word essay or 2-minute video telling us about your journey.


Abbott and Fenner Scholarship

Deadline: June 12

The A&F Scholarships are available to all high school juniors and seniors, as well as students currently registered in an accredited postsecondary institution.  To apply for this scholarship, write an essay describing your educational career and life goals, which explains your plan for achieving these goals.  Include your major, why you selected it, and how it will help you achieve your goals.


BigSun Scholarship

Deadline: June 19

Student athletes may apply by submitting a 500-1,000 word essay on this topic:  How did your participation in sports during your high school years influence you?  Has your participation influenced your career goals?  Has your participation influenced how you relate to your family?


B. Davis Scholarship

Deadline: May 21

Apply for a $1,000 scholarship by submitting an essay describing three characteristics of leadership you value most. Discuss why you believe that these traits are so important and how you feel they are developed in an individual.


MPOWER Scholarships

MPOWER offers scholarships for students currently enrolled or accepted to study full-time degree programs, or international students allowed to legally study in the U.S. or Canada.


The Sallie Mae Bridging the Dream Scholarship for Graduate Students

Deadline: October 25

Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for Graduate Students helps outstanding students from minority and other historically underserved communities attend graduate school.

Grad students who are facing financial challenges may apply to receive a $10,000 scholarship to help them pay for their graduate or professional degree program.


SoFi Scholarship

Ends: December 31, 2023

The SoFi scholarship giveaway, allows SoFi members to enter a drawing each month for a $2,500 scholarship towards College. Must register for free with either the SoFi app or at SoFi.com for membership.


Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship

Deadline: November 15 and April 15

The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund was established by the Will of Dolores Zohrab Liebmann and is administered by JPMorgan, Trustee.  Mrs. Liebmann was the daughter of a prominent Armenian intellectual, writer and statesman and was married to one of the owners of a successful American business.  She supported students and educational and charitable organizations during her lifetime.  Mrs. Liebmann’s primary concern, as expressed in her Will, was to attract and support students with outstanding character and ability who hold promise for achievement and distinction in their chosen fields of study.  The trustees welcome applications from students of all national origins who are United States citizens. 

Fellowships are restricted to graduate students who are United States citizens attending an accredited and designated institution of higher education within the United States. The program of study need not be limited to Armenian studies, and candidates can be of any national descent. Applications must be submitted through the dean of the university where the student is pursuing graduate studies.  Please contact your school’s financial aid or fellowship office for more information and to obtain an application.


Senah C. and C.A. Kent Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: February 22

The Senah C. and C.A. Kent Foundation Scholarship assists full-time students who are US citizens who demonstrate moral character and qualities of leadership and good citizenship.


P.E.O. Sisterhood’s Philanthropic Assistance for Women’s Education

P.E.O. Sisterhood provides scholarships, grants, and loans to assist women with their educational goals.

External Scholarship Policy

What you need to know about the External Scholarship policy and how it affects your financial aid.

Financial Aid Resources

Discover financial wellbeing tools, learn about financial aid receipt and refunds, and explore external
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