By Kaitlyn Parker, External Affairs Intern
Recently, the Golden LEAF Foundation announced that 215 students from 59 rural North Carolina counties were selected to receive up to $14,000 from the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program.
The scholarship provides high school seniors entering a four-year North Carolina college or university with $3,500 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study. Community college transfer students are eligible for $3,500 a year for three years of undergraduate study.
The Golden LEAF Foundation created the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program to expand educational opportunities and provide support to students from rural counties with the intent that recipients return to serve and strengthen their rural communities following graduation. The program is administered by The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) and selects students for awards.
“We are proud to award scholarships to hardworking students with deep roots in their communities,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. “Chosen from more than 1,400 applicants, these students represent the future of rural North Carolina. We look forward to their accomplishments as they continue their education and become North Carolina’s next generation of rural leaders.”
The Golden LEAF Scholarship program prioritizes students who demonstrate clear career goals and a commitment to returning to rural North Carolina communities after graduation. In alignment with the Foundation’s mission, the scholarship also honors the state’s agricultural heritage by supporting students with personal or family ties to North Carolina’s tobacco industry. This focus recognizes the historical and economic significance of tobacco growing, production, and processing to the families and rural communities that Golden LEAF serves.
Among this year’s recipients is Maxie Claire Canipe of Cleveland County, who plans to study Health Sciences at Gardner-Webb University to become an occupational therapist. She is a graduate of Crest High School.
“I am excited to receive the Golden LEAF Scholarship because I know it will open up opportunities for my future,” said Canipe. “I have worked so hard over the past four years, and receiving this scholarship validates my determination to succeed while motivating me to continue working hard throughout college. This scholarship will not only help me attend college debt-free, but it will also allow me to focus more on my academic and future career goals of becoming an occupational therapist.”
James Wayne of Jones County is a graduate of Jones Senior High School. He plans to study Agriculture at the University of Mount Olive.
“I am excited to receive the Golden LEAF Scholarship because it will help me continue my education and work toward my future goals,” said Wayne. “This scholarship will ease the financial burden on my family and allow me to focus more on my studies and personal growth. It also motivates me to give back to my community and make a positive impact, especially in rural areas. I am grateful for this opportunity and committed to using it to build a better future for myself and others.”
Victor Beltran of Randolph County, who plans to study Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, is doing so to recognize his father’s hard work. He is a graduate of East Randolph High School.
“I am so excited to receive the Golden LEAF scholarship because it recognizes not only my hard work but also my father’s,” said Beltran. “Thanks to his sacrifices and long days in the tobacco fields, I am now able to attend a four-year university, and this scholarship makes my college goals even more achievable. This scholarship not only reduces the financial burden on my family, but it also motivates me to keep working at 100% toward my future career. It means a lot to know that others believe in my potential, and I am so so so grateful for the opportunity to continue my education and give back to my community.”
Recipients of the scholarship may also apply for the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative. The Rural Internship Initiative provides Golden LEAF Scholars with professional work experience related to their career field in a qualifying rural North Carolina community. The Golden LEAF Foundation provides funding to pay interns up to $18 per hour for up to 400 hours of work. Internships take place between May and August.
Beyond easing the financial burden of college, The Golden LEAF Scholarship program empowers students committed to returning home to live and work by cultivating the next generation of rural leaders. Through investing in students with strong connections to their rural roots, the program strengthens the long-term vitality and resilience of North Carolina.
Learn more about the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program by clicking here and read about the individual recipients by county by clicking here.