Reminder: March 1 deadline for Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship applications | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    The March 1, 2022 deadline is fast approaching for the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship. Information and the application for the 2022-2023 school year is available at CFNC.org. A total of 215 awards will be offered to high school seniors and community college transfer students from qualifying rural North Carolina counties attending participating North Carolina colleges and universities.

    Scholarships are worth $14,000 ($3,500 per year for up to four years) for high school seniors and $3,500 per year for up to three years for community college transfer students attending a participating college in the fall.

    "The Golden LEAF Scholarship Program is a component of Golden LEAF's strategy to help rural communities thrive by creating a future generation of skilled, educated workers to come back home to live, work, and raise families," said Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton.

    Recipients are selected based upon multiple factors including an intent to return to a rural North Carolina county after graduation. Applicants must also fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate financial need as determined by the application process; have a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.5; and be a resident of a rural North Carolina county that is economically distressed and/or tobacco dependent. Click here for the full list of eligible counties.

    Meet some of the Golden LEAF Scholarship alumni who are living and working in rural North Carolina communities.

    Golden LEAF alumnus Daniel Hartness of Cherokee County attended Western Carolina University and majored in Computer Information Systems and Integrated Health Sciences. Hartness started his own business, Next Level Marketing, and is living in rural Jackson County.

    "My heart has always been to give back and be a forward leader in economic development, innovation, and in integrity for any and all rural regions that I can in North Carolina," said Hartness.

    Hartness was grateful for the Golden LEAF Scholarship.

    "College was extremely beneficial to me," said Hartness. "If you have a passion for rural areas in North Carolina, similar to where you live or were raised, this scholarship is meant for you. It's the best scholarship you could get and will continue to fuel your passion to give back to rural areas after you graduate."

    Golden LEAF alumnae Robynique Willis-Brown of Pitt County attended East Carolina University and majored in Social Work. Willis-Brown is a Social Work Case Manager Vidant Medical Center, Leo Jenkins Cancer Center, and is living in rural Pitt County.

    Willis-Brown is a strong supporter of the Golden LEAF Scholarship.

    "Being a recipient of this program is one of the best things that could've happened in my life," said Willis-Brown. "It prepared me to be a more professional young woman, a more driven individual overall and helped me understand that I can succeed, no matter how many odds are stacked against me. The Golden LEAF team is truly here to support, advocate and encourage you to be successful individuals in every aspect of life!"

    In fact, Willis-Brown found her first job out of college through her first internship.

    "I decided to live and work in rural North Carolina because of the scholarship program and all the connections made through networking as a Golden LEAF Scholar," said Willis-Brown. "This program made it possible for me to have the job I have today. I was hired at the site of my very first internship acquired through the Golden LEAF Scholars Program."

    For more information about the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship, click here.