POSTED 10/23/26: The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate from college debt-free. Parents’ Adjusted Household Income must not exceed $125,000. The scholarship provides $1,000 to help purchase essential items for college and up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Free workshops, free Schwab Brokerage Accounts, and free Study Abroad opportunities provide recipients with a practical understanding of important life skills not typically covered in the school curriculum.
Before Applying — The Hagan Scholarship has specific requirements that must be maintained every semester to keep the scholarship. Please review the Scholarship Particulars before applying, so you will understand what is expected of you if awarded a scholarship. We communicate with applicants only to avoid miscommunication.
Hagan Scholarship Application
1. For students in the 2027 high school graduating class.
2. Applicants can apply one time only.
3. Click on the Above Link, then create a Username and Password to access the Application.
4. Up to 1,500 Hagan Scholarships can be awarded for the 2027-2028 academic year.
5. Updates are posted on the Application Timeline Link.
6. Application Deadline: December 1, 2026.
Resources
1. Hagan Scholarship Brochure — An overview of the scholarship, eligibility, responsibilities and benefits.
2. Tips on How to Prepare a Successful Application
POSTED 10/19/26: The Florence Kidder Memorial Scholarship (FKMS) honors the memory of the first president of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of North Carolina, Florence Hill Kidder.
Six scholarships will be awarded in one year: First place- $3,000, second place- $1,000, third place- $800 and three fourth places- $400.
Scholarships are not renewable.
Awarded to a high school senior who plans to attend a post-secondary institution in North Carolina.
2027 Essay Topic:
A Revolutionary Turning Point: The Mecklenburg Resolves Through Colonial Eyes
In your own words explain the social, economic, and political significance and potential consequences of the Mecklenburg Resolves from the perspective of a colonist living in NC in 1775. Your 500-700 word essay must include a minimum of three sources with proper citations and a reference page.
Eligibility -To be considered, a candidate must:
A completed application form answering all questions and supplying all requested documents.
An original essay of 500 to 700 words on the prompt provided.
Deadline - All essays must be submitted by February 7, 2027
POSTED 10/16/26: NC Teaching Fellows--a competitive, merit-based forgivable loans for service program that provides up to $10,000 a year for up to four years to highly-qualified students committed to teaching special education, elementary education, or a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) in a NC public, traditional, or charter school. Applicant must be accepted to an approved educator preparation program at one of the Teaching Fellows partner institutions (Appalachian State, East Carolina, Elon, Fayetteville State, Meredith, NC A&T, NC State, Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, UNC Pembroke), have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 and are encouraged to submit SAT/ACT scores.
Applications are available at https://myapps.northcarolina.edu/ncteachingfellows/apply/
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read all the information and loan requirements before applying. Early action deadline to apply is November 1. Regular deadline is January 31.
Under the authorizing legislation, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Superintendent are assigned the duty of establishing a list of eligible licensure areas.
Elementary Education (K-6)
Approved STEM licensure areas:
Mathematics (9-12)
Science (9-12)
Earth Science (9-12)
Physical Science (9-12)
Biology (9-12)
Physics (9-12)
Chemistry (9-12)
Agriculture (6-12)
Technology Education (6-12)
Middle Grade Mathematics
Middle Grade Science (6-9)
Middle Grade Technology
Approved Special Education licensure areas:
EC-General Curr (K-6)
SP ED: General Curr (K-12)
SP ED: Adapted Curr (K-12)
Please note that programs do vary among partner institutions. Explore specific licensure pathways offered at NCTF partner institutions.
POSTED 10/6/26: The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education. Students attending a community college will receive at least $3,000 per year. Those attending a public university in North Carolina will get a minimum of $5,000 per year.
Applying is simple. Just complete the FAFSA form. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive the Next NC Scholarship. There are no additional forms to fill out.
Submit the FAFSA form by the priority dates to ensure you qualify for your maximum award — that’s June 1 for UNC System universities and for NC community colleges. After June 1, FAFSA forms are reviewed in the order received and funding will be awarded as available. Learn more about the FAFSA.
If you need help with the FAFSA, please let me know.
POSTED 10/1/26: College For North Carolina sponsors NC Countdown to College every October. One of the weeks highlight NC Colleges that will waive their application fees. This will take place during the week of October 19th (7:30 AM) - 25th (5:00 PM). In order for these fees to be waived you must use CFNC (www.cfnc.org) to apply. There are some colleges that will divert you to complete the Common Application. If this is the case CFNC will provide instructions on how to get the application fee waived.
If you have an account, but cannot remember your username please let me know and I can help you with that. If you do not have an account you will need to create one. Once you are logged in click on Apply to College and Application Hub. From there you can start the application process.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask!
I will send a reminder email closer to October 19th.
Below are the colleges that will waive their fees during this week.
Barton College
Belmont Abbey College
Brevard College
Campbell University
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Catawba College
Chowan University
Davidson College
East Carolina University
Elizabeth City State University
Elon University
Fayetteville State University
Gardner-Webb University
Greensboro College
Guilford College
High Point University
Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte
Johnson C. Smith University
Judson College at Southeastern
Lees-McRae College
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Livingstone College
Louisburg College
Mars Hill University
Meredith College
Methodist University
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Montreat College
North Carolina Agricultural
and Technical State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Wesleyan University
Pfeiffer University
Queens University of Charlotte
Salem College
Shaw University
University of Mount Olive
University of North Carolina Asheville
University of North Carolina Pembroke
Warren Wilson College
Western Carolina University
William Peace University
Wingate University
Winston-Salem State University
And all 58 community colleges
POSTED 9/28/26: Davidson College John M. Belk Scholarship: Davidson College offers their prestigious John Montgomery Belk Scholarship up to eight applicants nationwide. Each high school may nominate up to TWO seniors for the John Montgomery Belk Scholarship to complete the application and apply for admission to Davidson College. The John M. Belk Scholarship recognizes powerful students with demonstrated academic excellence, integrity, intellectual curiosity, willingness to take risks, and potential to be change agents in both their local and global communities. The scholarship provides:
Covers comprehensive funding (tuition, fees, food, and housing) for four years, plus $10,000 in special opportunity stipends.
If you would like to be considered as a nominee for this award from KMHS please submit your data sheet to Mrs. Cruise no later than Friday, October 23, 2026.
POSTED 9/24/26: If anyone needs help please let me know.
The FAFSA application is now open. You do not need to be accepted to a school to complete this application. Financial aid can be used at any educational institution that accepts aid. Many scholarship programs require applicants to complete the FAFSA.
To find out if you qualify for financial aid (Grants, Loans, work study, scholarships from the state or federal government, etc) students/parents must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application.
You will complete the 2027-28 application.
There are several steps that must be followed in order to apply for financial aid.
STEP 1 - apply for a FSA ID. You will need to provide a personal email (it needs to be yours), cell phone number, birthday and social security number.
https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
STEP 2 - Log into the FAFSA application using the username and password you created in step 1. Complete FAFSA. You will need to enter a parent's personal information including email address.
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
STEP 3 - The parent you entered in Step 2 must complete their part. They will be emailed a link with directions.
I encourage everyone to complete this process regardless of your future plans! You never know where life will take you.
POSTED 9/24/26: The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is among the largest undergraduate scholarship programs available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities. Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational experience – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships they may receive.
The deadline to apply is November 11, 2026.
Eligibility requirements:
Senior in High School – Complete four years of high school in the U.S., a U.S territory, or on a U.S. military base and plan to graduate in spring 2027.
Fall College Enrollment – Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2027.
GPA – Earn a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or above.
Test Scores — Submit standardized test score(s) from one of the following: SAT, ACT, AP, or IB exam. There is no minimum score requirement to apply, however, applicants must have taken one (or more) of these tests and submit the score.
Demonstrate Unmet Financial Need – We will consider applicants with a maximum annual family gross income of $95,000. Last year’s cohort of new College Scholarship recipients had an average family income of approximately $42,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.
This highly competitive scholarship provides:
The opportunity to graduate with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year to complete a bachelor’s degree at any accredited undergraduate institution.
Ability to pursue any area of study.
Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid.
Multifaceted advising about how to transition to college and maximize the student experience.
POSTED 9/24/26: Scholarship matching at Common App
Scholarship matching is offered through the Common Application. As students complete their Common App, they will automatically be connected to scholarships for which they are eligible. Last year, this feature helped students secure over $5.5 million in awards, and we are excited to continue expanding access to these opportunities.
Here’s how it works for students:
Create a first-year student account
Complete the Profile and Education questions in My Common Application
Receive notifications about scholarship match opportunities in the Financial Aid section
Apply for opportunities on scholarship provider sites
POSTED 9/23/26: North Carolina Criminal Justice Fellows program - The North Carolina Criminal Justice Fellows Program offers a 100% forgivable educational loan to cover college tuition, fees, textbooks, and supplies for high school graduates interested in completing an Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice and pursuing a criminal justice career. Fellowship recipients would have five (5) years to repay the loan or be eligible for loan forgiveness with four (4) years of service in an eligible criminal justice profession anywhere in North Carolina.
Submit your application by April 30, 2027!
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply for the North Carolina Criminal Justice Fellows Program:
Be a North Carolina resident.
Be a high school senior or high school graduate.
Intend to pursue an associate degree at an NC Community College.
Intend to work full-time in an eligible criminal justice profession in NC after graduating.
Not have been convicted of a felony or other crime(s) listed in the CJFP Guide.
For more information about program eligibility, please email the Program Manager at cjfellows@ncdoj.gov.
POSTED 9/23/26: The Dover Scholarship is a merit based scholarship that is awarded each year to seniors in Cleveland County who want to attend any 4-year college. This year they will give out (2) $20,000, (5) $15,000, and (5) $10,000 scholarships. Of the 12 recipients 4 will be to Gardner-Webb and 8 will be for any other accredited college or university.
There are two categories of competition: 1) those seniors who have been accepted and want to attend Gardner-Webb University and 2) those seniors who want to attend ANY other college in the United States that they have been accepted to (you can only select ONE category).
Applicants are required to write a 500 word or less essay (you can select from 2 prompts) and submit two letters of recommendation (one from school personnel and one from the community). You are allowed to attach extra pages for the essay, but no "resume style" pages detailing your work, community involved, etc will be accepted.
The Dover Foundation will select students competing for the GWU category and students in the other college category from the area high school applicants to interview. Applicants that move forward in the competition will be required to attend an interview in early April. .
Please download the application and TYPE your answers in the fill-able PDF. I highly recommend you DO NOT USE YOUR CHROMEBOOK for this application. If you need access to a different computer please let me know. You are not allowed to attach a resume/data sheet.
Deadline to submit your Dover Scholarship application to Mrs. Cruise is Friday, February 5, 2027.
Click HERE to download the application.
POSTED 9/21/26: Cheatham-White Merit Scholarship - The Cheatham-White Scholarship was established in 2018 as a merit scholarship program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and North Carolina Central University. The scholarship provides students who are exceptional scholars, versatile thinkers, and well-rounded individuals access to an outstanding educational experience. Cheatham-White Scholars will represent students with a broad range of interests, who are proficient in areas of both the arts and sciences, and who demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to service.
Each recipient is awarded a fully funded four-year scholarship that covers the cost of all of the following: full tuition, student fees, housing, meals, textbooks, a laptop, supplies, travel, and personal expenses. Each scholarship also provides four summers of fully funded enrichment and networking opportunities, which may include international travel and study.
To be eligible for nomination as a potential Cheatham-White Scholarship candidate, a student must:
Be a competitive applicant for admission as a freshman in the fall semester into a baccalaureate program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University or North Carolina Central University (in-state and out-of-state students are both eligible)
Be a United States citizen or permanent resident
Be on course to graduate from high school in the spring semester prior to college admission
Minimum 4.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale cumulative GPA
Minimum 1280 (new) SAT or 28 ACT (optional)
Show exceptional qualities of character and leadership
Be significantly involved in extracurricular activities
Demonstrate a strong commitment to service
Candidates for Cheatham-White Scholarships shall be selected on the basis of academic merit, honorable character, outstanding leadership potential, and a demonstrable commitment to service. Financial need shall not be a consideration.
The Cheatham-White Scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University (deadline November 15th)
The Cheatham-White Scholarship Press release at North Carolina Central University (Nominations are due by November 1st. Application deadline is November 15th). You can self nominate or request a nomination from me.
POSTED 9/18/26: Please read the descriptions carefully to see if you qualify. Some have multiple qualifiers.
Charlie Adams Endowed Scholarship--$2500 awarded to senior male athlete participating on a varsity NCHSAA wrestling team and senior female athlete participating on a varsity NCHSAA cross-country team. Application is available at https://nchsaafoundation.org/scholarships/ Deadline to apply is January 15, 2027.
Alford Family Gold Scholarship--$1000 awarded to senior male and female golfers who will continue to play at the NCAA Division II or III level. Application is available at https://nchsaafoundation.org/scholarships/. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2027.
Wilburn Clary Medal Award--$3000 awarded to graduating senior student-athlete participating on a sanctioned varsity sport team during his/her senior year at a NCHSAA member school. Athlete must have participated in at least two sanctioned varsity sports during his/her high school career and have an unweighted 3.2 GPA.
- Applicant must demonstrate excellence in athletic participation through awards, honors, and special recognitions.
- Applicant must demonstrate success in other, non-sport, extra-curricular activities.
- Applicant must demonstrate active involvement within their community through volunteer service programs, scouts, or other similar activities.
- Applicant must demonstrate a desire to excel in all areas of life - athletics, education, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, honesty and integrity.
Application is available at https://nchsaafoundation.org/scholarships/ Deadline to apply is January 15, 2027
Willie Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship--$750 scholarship
1. Senior, high school student varsity athlete participating on a sanctioned team at an NCHSAA member high school.
2. An African American, *American Indian/Alaska Native, **Asian & Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American.
3. A citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States.
4. Able to demonstrate leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular and/or other activities.
5. Documented and verifiable clean disciplinary record during his/her high school/athletic participation.
6. Must be on track to complete high school graduation requirements in 2027 Spring semester from an NCHSAA member high school (or a specialty school where students participate at their designated "home" NCHSAA member school for athletic purposes) and plan to enroll, or already be enrolled, for the Fall 2027 semester in an accredited and recognized university, college, or community college anywhere in the United States.
7. Consideration will be given to data provided within the applicant's Free Application For Federal Student Aid Report (FAFSA) and the Student Aid Index data. Priority is given to students with Student Aid Index that estimates low family contribution towards the student's college education. (can apply starting October 1, 2026).
Application is available at https://nchsaafoundation.org/scholarships/ Deadline to apply is December 31, 2027.
POSTED 9/15/26: This is a $1000 one year scholarship award.
**There is a portion of this scholarship that requires me to provide a letter of recommendation, complete a counselor report, and send their committee a copy of your transcript. PLEASE PLAN AHEAD AND GIVE ME AMPLE TIME TO WORK ON EVERYTHING!! You must communicate with me if you plan to apply.
NC Elks Nursing Scholarship - The student must be a North Carolina high school senior and, if available, participating in a school curriculum that involves health care activities. It is not necessary that the student already be accepted for enrollment in a post high school nursing program, but he/she must have made application. If the student is not accepted to or pursuing a qualified post high school program in nursing, the award is forfeited. Additionally, the student must attend a North Carolina post high school program.
Exhibits evidencing notable achievements in scholarship, leadership, athletics, dramatics, community service or other activities may be uploaded at the time of submission of application. Please avoid submitting repetitious accounts of the same aptitude.
It is also recommended that the applicant be in the top 25% of his/her class and be actively involved in nursing related activities.
In addition to the Scholarship Application and the completed counselor’s report, the following is required:
Applicant will provide transcript of High School Record. Please have the High School Counselor include your GPA and, if possible, your class ranking and number of students in your class. ACT/SAT testing is not required this year; however, if student has taken either test, please submit the higher score.
A letter from school principal and/or counselor regarding citizenship, congeniality, leadership ability, attendance, personal grooming, and reliability.
An essay entitled "Why I want to become a Nurse." Essay should not exceed 500 words. This report must be emailed at the time your application is submitted. The email address is "scholarships@ncelks.org".
Applicant must be a citizen of the United States of America.
Applications that do not conform substantially to the foregoing requirements will not be accepted for consideration.
Application must be received on or before December 8, 2026. If selected, the applicant will be notified by the state chairman in April of 2027.
POSTED 9/9/26: The Park Scholarships program at NC State. The Park Scholarships program brings together students with outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service and character.
THE PARK SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM
is a four-year scholarship valued at $129,000 and covers:
Tuition, fees, and room and board
Books and personal expenses
$2,000 computer stipend
Enrichment grants to fund study abroad, research projects, service activities, conferences and more
Guaranteed invitation to join the University Honors Program
THE PARK EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:
Professional training in leadership, public speaking and business etiquette
Educational trips, retreats and seminars
Faculty mentors and a network of more than 1,100 accomplished Park Scholarships alumni worldwide
Applications for the Park Scholarships program and admission to NC State, are both due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 1 for consideration for the Park Scholarship.
For more information:
POSTED 9/1/26: UNC Chapel Hill is pleased to announce that The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship will open for applications on September 1, 2026. This scholarship provides full undergraduate funding for four years, including tuition, room and board, textbooks, and a new laptop, along with a $5,000 annual summer stipend to support the recipient’s creative work. The application process consists of two steps:
Step 1) Apply to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by October 15, 2026.
Step 2) Apply to the Thomas Wolfe Scholarship by November 15, 2026. Students must apply to both the University and the Scholarship to be considered. Preliminary screening will be completed in January 2027, with final screening concluding in early March 2027. Three to five outstanding candidates will be interviewed virtually, and the recipient will have one week to accept or decline the award. The new Thomas Wolfe Scholar will be formally announced in early April 2027.
Novelist and short-story writer Thomas Wolfe of Asheville, North Carolina matriculated at UNC in the fall of 1916 and graduated in the spring of 1920. Wolfe loved Chapel Hill, which he celebrated as Pulpit Hill in Look Homeward, Angel, the novel he published to international acclaim in 1929: “The university was a charming, an unforgettable place. . . The central campus sloped back and up and over a broad area of rich turf, groved with magnificent ancient trees . . . the wilderness crept up to it like a beast.”
Wolfe had but one playwriting course to take. Students in our Creative Writing Program can now choose courses in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, stylistics, and songwriting. Courses in playwriting and screenwriting are also offered by the Departments of Dramatic Art and Communications Studies. With five semesters of credit, students can major or minor in Creative Writing. Ours is among the strongest undergraduate writing programs in the country.
Complete information about The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship, including the application form, is available on the University's website at The Thomas Wolfe Scholarship - English and Comparative Literature If you have any questions, please email TWSqueries@unc.edu.
POSTED 8/27/26: Goodnight Scholars Scholarship: This is a scholarship opportunity for applicants who wish to attend NCSU in a STEM related major or STEM education have an adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less. In order to be considered the applicant must submit their application for admission to NCSU by the first deadline, November 1st. This scholarship is valued at $25,000 per year for 4 years.
Click on the link below to learn more about it
https://goodnight.ncsu.edu/first-year/#eligibility
First-Year Application Timeline
Early November
Apply to NC State by the Early Action Deadline
Special Circumstances Form opens in WolfPaw Monday, November 2nd
This form also allows students to share unique circumstances that they feel may cause them to be overlooked for an invitation to apply to our Program. Submission of this form does not guarantee an invitation to apply, nor is it required to receive an invitation to apply. The form will close on December 1st.
Mid-December
Invitations to apply distributed
Questions on the Goodnight Scholars Program application will focus on the student’s academic achievement, extracurricular and community involvement and understanding of the role STEM fields play in addressing key societal and global issues. The application will also contain a section for the student to self-report household income and other financial information. Applications will be due mid-January and will be reviewed by a committee of NC State faculty, staff, alumni, and campus partners.
POSTED 8/20/26: The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's top four-year colleges and universities.
To be eligible to apply to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program you must:
Senior standing – Complete four years of high school in the U.S., a U.S territory, or on a U.S. military base and plan to graduate in spring 2027.
Fall College Enrollment – Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2027.
GPA – Earn a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or above.
Test Scores — Submit standardized test score(s) from one of the following: SAT, ACT, AP, or IB exam. There is no minimum score requirement to apply, however, applicants must have taken one (or more) of these tests and submit the score.
Demonstrate Unmet Financial Need – We will consider applicants with family annual gross income up to $95,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.
The deadline to apply is November 11th.
POSTED 8/18/26: College Board Big Future allows students to complete steps to earn entries to win scholarships. Click on the link below to get started.
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/bigfuture-scholarships
POSTED 8/14/26: The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year Most Valuable Student Scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2027 competition.
Eligibility:
Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.
Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.
High school graduates are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
Scholarships are available only to students who enroll in four-year undergraduate degree programs at accredited U.S. American colleges or universities.
Deadline: 2027 Most Valuable Student applications are due by November 12, 2026 @ 11:59 PM, Pacific Time.
Visit their website to apply. : https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm