At the April 2020 Board meeting, the Golden LEAF Foundation awarded $500,000 to the North Carolina Community College System to create a scholarship fund for North Carolina community college students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Golden LEAF Scholarship COVID-19 Fund will serve community college students who live in eligible rural counties that are tobacco-dependent or economically distressed, demonstrate financial need, and have been affected by COVID-19, during the current academic year.
The scholarships are available to students now through June 2020. To access these funds, contact a participating community college (see list below) financial aid office.
“Golden LEAF is proud to help support the development of the talent, knowledge and skills of our rural workforce,” said Scott T. Hamilton, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer. “We see this investment as critical to the success of our rural communities.”
Community colleges moved their instruction to an online format when the pandemic hit, and most face-to-face classes were suspended. The colleges also continue to offer instruction for nurses, respiratory therapists and first responders who are critical to the state’s response to COVID-19. These changes combined with other challenges, such as increasing unemployment, have created financial barriers for many students.
“We are grateful to Golden LEAF for its support of our students during this time of great need,” said Peter Hans, president of the NC Community College System. “Many students have encountered significant financial hardships resulting from the pandemic. The Golden LEAF Scholarship COVID-19 Funds will help students continue their educational journey and succeed in their career goals.”
Each year, the foundation provides funding to support the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program for community colleges. Since 2001, more than 16,000 students from the NC Community College System have received scholarship funds from the program.
Participating Community Colleges:
Bladen Community College
Blue Ridge Community College
Brunswick Community College
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Cape Fear Community College
Carteret Community College
Central Carolina Community College
Coastal Carolina Community College
College of The Albemarle
Craven Community College
Davidson County Community College
Durham Technical Community College
Edgecombe Community College
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Forsyth Technical Community College
Halifax Community College
James Sprunt Community College
Lenoir Community College
Martin Community College
Mayland Community College
McDowell Technical Community College
Montgomery Community College
Pamlico Community College
Piedmont Community College
Pitt Community College
Richmond Community College
Roanoke Chowan Community College
Robeson Community College
Sampson Community College
South Piedmont Community College
Southeastern Community College
Southwestern Community College
Stanly Community College
Surry Community College
Wayne Community College
Wilson Community College