Golden LEAF Scholars Program - Two-Year Colleges

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Program Type
Scholarship
Description
Provides grants up to $750 per semester, including summer session, for curriculum students and up to $250 per semester for occupational education students to be applied toward their tuition, registration fees, and related expenses at the community colleges where they are enrolled. Scholarships will be need and merit based on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible recipients can choose to attend any of the 58 member institutions of the North Carolina Community College System.
Eligibility
To be eligible, a student must:
1) Be a permanent resident of one of the 78 eligible counties as determined by the Golden LEAF Foundation.

2) Show financial need. All students will be required to disclose other financial aid awards in order for funding to meet the needs of the broad population of students.
  • Curriculum students should demonstrate a need based on FAFSA information.


  • Occupational education students should demonstrate a need under federal TRIO formula. This criterion will be used so occupational education students will not need to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students will be required to disclose other financial aid awards in order to meet the needs of the broad population of students. The maximum income levels under the federal TRIO formula are:
Family size 1: Income less than $15,315
Family size 2: Income less than $20,535
Family size 3: Income less than $25,755
Family size 4: Income less than $30,975
Family size 5: Income less than $36,195
Family size 6: Income less than $41,415
Family size 7: Income less than $46,635
Family size 8: Income less than $51,855

Note: For family units with more than 8 members, add $5,220 for each additional family member.

3) Curriculum (degree-seeking) students must be enrolled half-time for a full award. Less than half-time students may be considered pending availability of funds.

Finalists meeting all the eligibility criteria will undergo a separate "merit" competition. Selection is based on:

1) The effect of the decline in the tobacco industry on his or her family
2) The effect of the declining economy on his or her family
3) Academic record
4) Overall evaluation of the application
5) Leadership and community service
Value
Provides grants up to $750 per semester, including summer session, for curriculum students and up to $250 per semester for occupational education students, to be applied toward their tuition, registration fees, and related expenses at the college.
Application Procedure
  • Students will file a Golden LEAF Scholars application. Applications will be filed with college financial aid offices and should NOT be sent to North Carolina Community College System. Applications do not need to be completed for each award period. Student applicants bear full responsibility for completing the Golden LEAF application prior to each deadline as designated by the college financial aid office.
  • Applicants will complete the waiver form for use of their Social Security numbers. (Social security numbers will be used for tracking purposes only.) This form is available through community college financial aid offices.
Other Information
List of Participating Public University Campuses
List of Qualifying Counties
Related Links
Program information, a list of qualifying counties, campuses and scholarship applications can be found at Golden LEAF Scholarship Information.



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