July 11, 2024
By Emilly Hernandez-Rivera, External Affairs Intern
Recently, the Golden LEAF Foundation announced that 215 students from 56 rural North Carolina counties were selected to receive up to a $14,000 Golden LEAF Scholarship.
High school seniors entering college as first year students are eligible for a $3,500 scholarship each year for up to four years of undergraduate study at a participating four-year North Carolina college or university. Community college transfer students are eligible for $3,500 a year for up to three years of undergraduate study.
The Golden LEAF Foundation established the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program to broaden educational opportunities and provide support to students from rural counties with the goal that recipients will return and contribute to rural communities after graduation. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) administers the program and selects students for awards.
“We are proud to award scholarships to hardworking and bright students with deep roots in their rural communities,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF Foundation President, Chief Executive Officer. “These students were selected out of a pool of nearly 2,000 applicants. We look forward to the future success of these scholarship recipients as they follow their education pursuits and develop into North Carolina’s next generation of rural leaders.”
Recipients from rural or economically distressed North Carolina counties are selected based on future career goals and an expressed intent to contribute to the state’s rural communities upon graduation from college.
Golden LEAF Scholarship recipient Abigail Gray of Halifax County has plans to be a registered nurse. Gray will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study Nursing. She is a graduate of Roanoke Rapids Early College High School.
“Receiving this scholarship truly means the world to my family during this time of financial struggles,” said Abigail Gray. “After graduation I plan to come back to my hometown and live in Roanoke Rapids and work at the ECU Health North Hospital.”
Jacen Carver of Macon County will be attending Western Carolina University in the fall studying business administration and law. He graduated from Nantahala High School.
“This scholarship has given me the opportunity to be the first in my family to continue my education to the college level and earn a degree,” said Carver. “It has played a critical part in helping me achieve my goals and focus on my education rather than worrying about the cost of attendance.”
Jada Howell of Richmond County is a graduate from Richmond Early College High School. She will attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and major in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law.
“It means the world to my family and me that Golden LEAF considers me to be a worthy investment of their time and money and also believes in my future,” said Howell. “I plan to return to Richmond County and work with one of our local law firms to see what my community specifically needs. After that, it is my goal to open my own law firm right here in my hometown.”
Emmanuel Perkins from Edgecombe County and a graduate of Rocky Mount High School will attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He will major in Communications Studies with a concentration in Media and Technology Studies.
“It is an amazing accomplishment to receive this scholarship,” said Perkins. “My family and I are truly grateful and blessed to have such a wonderful opportunity to receive this scholarship award. After graduation, I know coming back home will be the start of my post-graduation journey.”
Perkins plans to be a social and digital media manager and work back home in his rural community after graduation.
Scholarship recipients 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 rural North Carolina community. The Golden LEAF Foundation provides funding to pay interns $15 per hour for up to 400 hours of work. Internships take place between May and August.
Learn more about the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program by clicking here.