College tuition and fees continue to rise every year, making affordability a challenge for many families. Foundation For The Carolinas has more than a 100 ways to help defray the costs of a college education.
Foundation For The Carolinas (FFTC) manages nearly 150 scholarship funds that help deserving students pursue their education goals. Established by generous fundholders, these scholarships provide support for students ranging from kindergarten to graduate school, said Qiana Austin, Vice President & Scholarships Program Officer.
In 2017, FFTC awarded more than $2.2 million in scholarship grants to over 950 students.
Chyna Walker, a freshman at UNC Greensboro pursuing double majors in communication studies and media studies, received two scholarships managed by FFTC: the Carolina Panthers Players Sam Mills Memorial Scholarship and the Holcomb Family Scholarship.
“There really was no other way for college to be affordable for me without the use of scholarships,” said Walker, who graduated from West Mecklenburg High. Projecting a need for at least $20,000 this school year, Walker said she filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early on, but knew she could only get up to $5,000 in aid, which left another $15,000 unaccounted for.
With guidance from West Meck High administrators, Walker applied for several scholarships, including two from FFTC through its online database. FFTC makes it easy to apply, she said, advising students to embrace the competition for these grants and “be in it to win it.”
Go online now to find scholarships that work for you
Here’s a sampling of FFTC scholarships. Applications will be available Friday via the online scholarships portal where you can find full eligibility requirements and the full list of scholarships.
African American Network – Carolinas
Provides scholarships to college-bound students from North Carolina and South Carolina who are pursuing a major in engineering, math, science, computer science, accounting, finance or business administration. Must attend a four-year college or university located in North Carolina or South Carolina.
ANSWER Scholarship Endowment
Provides financial support and encouragement to women age 25 and older who are raising school-age children (grades K-12) and are seeking a first-time bachelor’s degree, a two-year nursing degree, or a two-year degree in CPCC’s Health Careers Program. All scholarship recipients are required to participate in ANSWER’s Mentors for Mom program.
Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund
Provides scholarships for college, technical or vocation school to residents of housing owned or managed by the Charlotte Housing Authority (including the Housing Choice Voucher program).
Gratitude Scholarship Endowment
Provides scholarships to college students age 25 or older or students with a physical disability attending or re-entering Central Piedmont Community College, Queens University, or UNC Charlotte. Applicants must be legal residents of Mecklenburg County and must have a 3.0 minimum GPA.
Sam Mills Memorial Scholarship Fund (Panthers Undergraduate)
Provides scholarships to high school athletes from Mecklenburg County and Spartanburg County, S.C., who wish to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree. Must have earned a varsity letter in high school. Female athletes may letter in any state-sanctioned sport; male athletes must letter in football.
National Welders James A.Turner Jr. Scholarship Endowment Fund
Provides undergraduate college and vocational scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Mecklenburg County who intend to attend an accredited college or vocational school in Mecklenburg County. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
Ready, set, apply
• Applications will be available on FFTC’s online scholarships portal on Dec. 1. Please review the list of scholarship descriptions and eligibility requirements before you apply online.
• Most applications require that an applicant electronically submit a transcript, letters of recommendations, FAFSA Student Aid Report, resume, essay, and other supporting documents.
• The deadline to submit most applications to FFTC is March 6. Be sure to check specific scholarship deadlines.
Check out the FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions.
Learn how you can create your own scholarship fund.
