1. The applicant must be a resident of Wake County.

2. The applicant must be continuing his or her education at a North Carolina college, university, community or technical school. The recipient must be a full-time student with a minimum of 12 units per semester. The applicant is required to provide the Wake County Extension and Community Association with a letter of acceptance from the school.

3. The applicant should have a grade point average of 2.5 or better.

4. Special consideration will be given to applicants seeking careers in family consumer science or related fields.

5. Special consideration will be given to an applicant who is currently enrolled or has been enrolled in a Family Consumer Science program, Future Homemakers of America, Family Consumer Science Related Occupation Association, 4-H member, or a relative of an Extension and Community Association member.

6. The applicant must complete the attached application and include the following:

✓ A letter of acceptance,

✓ An official transcript in a sealed envelope signed by the school registrar.

✓ Three letters of reference are required (mailed separately or included in sealed envelopes with the application). Acceptable references are: Teacher, Principal, Guidance Counselor, Extension Agent, Pastor, Community Leaders, etc. Letters from parents ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Incomplete applications or applications received after March 25, 2026 will not be eligible. To be considered complete, applications must include a letter of acceptance, student transcript and all letters of reference. 

A committee of non-partisan judges will determine the top three applicants and they will be notified by April 4, 2026. Interviews will be scheduled the week of April 12, 2026: If one of the top three students cannot participate in the interview session, then the fourth-place student will be invited. The winner will be notified by May 1, 2026.

If the recipient declines the award or fails to enroll as a full-time student within one academic year, the money will not be awarded. Financial need is not a prerequisite. 

Due March 25, 2026

APPLICATION LINK

The Sigma Scholars Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization that was established to provide scholarships to deserving Wake County High School Seniors that have been accepted and who have committed to attending a Two-Year Associate’s Degree Program or Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program following graduation. These scholarships are designed to provide funding assistance to each recipient for educational expenses. 

The Foundation’s Board of Directors is seeking applications from 2026 graduating seniors that meets or exceeds the following criteria:

•  A student in good standing with his or her high school;

• A US citizen (subject to verification);

• Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) and/or Student must be Wake county residents and student is enrolled full-time in a Wake County Public High School; and, 

• A high school senior planning to be enrolled in an accredited postsecondary institution* (*Approved institutions are defined as those accredited, postsecondary two or fouryear colleges or universities in the United States. Proof of enrollment is a condition of eligibility for a scholarship award and will be required before funds will be disbursed.)

Interested students must complete and submit the scholarship application, along with providing the following:

• A 400-word maximum typed essay (see essay topics on the application);

• Two (2) letters of recommendation (one must be from a teacher, counselor, or other school official);

• Official transcript of grades (3.0 GPA or higher required);

• Community Service (minimum of 30 hours)—packet must include a signed letter from an organization or church affiliation on official letterhead; and,

• Current photo (headshot) of applicant

Deadline - March 1, 2026

APPLICATION

Fred M. Alford Memorial Scholarship ($2,000) – Requirements include:

• Must be a child of or under legal guardianship of an active Wake Electric member or live in a home served by Wake Electric

• Must be a high school graduating senior (cannot already be attending college)

• Must pursue a four-year undergraduate baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution in North Carolina

Touchstone Energy Scholarship ($1,250) – Requirements include:

• Must be a child of or under legal guardianship of an active Wake Electric member or live in a home served by Wake Electric

• Must use these funds at a North Carolina college or university, community college, vocational or technical school

• Applicants can be a high school graduating senior or already enrolled full-time in a university, community college, vocational or technical school

APPLICATION: https://wemc.com/scholarships/

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a graduating high school senior;

• Be a United States citizen;

• Present evidence of financial need;

• Demonstrate a record of academic excellence;

• Demonstrate leadership potential and a dedication to community service;

• Plan to attend an accredited and JRF approved 4-year college/university within the United States or affiliated with a United States based college or university;

• Have not accrued more than 25% of credits needed to graduate from college.

DUE BY JANUARY 7, 2026

Application: https://jackierobinson.org/apply/

Our Visionary Scholarship is a bi-annual award.  There are five (5) awards given with each bi-annual deadline – with a total of ten (10) college scholarships awarded for each school year.  Awards range from $1,000 to $2,500 each.

Only one application per student, per award deadline will be accepted.  Non-winners are eligible to re-register and re-apply for future awards – this includes the 2nd deadline of a school year.  There is absolutely no cost to apply and a student does not need to demonstrate financial need in order to be eligible.

https://americancollegefoundation.org/school-counselor-acf-scholarship-details/

The UCB Myasthenia Gravis Scholarship™ program helps people living with myasthenia gravis (MG) or their immediate family members to pursue further education. Whether you’re continuing your education or exploring a new career, you can apply to receive $10,000 to help cover educational expenses. 

The scholarship is:

Available for studies in trade skills, college degrees, or other various disciplines

Open to all ages, academic scores, and levels of financial status

Applicable for tuition, fees, and/or books

Application can be found here: https://www.ucbmgscholarship.com/

The scholarship is designed to identify and reward outstanding high school seniors who have demonstrated an ability to excel in the fields of academics, extra-curricular school activities and community involvement. The scholarship is available to any male, graduating high school senior who is enrolling in a four-year undergraduate college program that commences in the fall. The scholarship is awarded through the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence, a registered 501(c)3 organization. Current or future membership in a fraternity is not required.

REQUIREMENTS:

Must be a graduating high school senior in the United States

Must identify as male

Must have access to a U.S. bank account (for direct fund deposit if selected)

DUE APRIL 1st!

Application: https://foundationfe.org/highschoolscholarship/?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nhss2026