The Golden LEAF Scholars Program pays $3,500 a year for up to four years ($14,000 total) toward a North Carolina college or university for graduating high school seniors who live in one of Golden LEAF's designated rural, economically distressed NC counties (not every county qualifies) and plan to return to a rural NC community after finishing school. Applicants need a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and a FAFSA-calculated Student Aid Index of $15,000 or less. A separate, similarly structured track funds NC community college students and transfers. Beyond the money, recipients get leadership-development programming, career exposure, and access to a paid Rural Internship Initiative. Recipients renew each year by filing the FAFSA, staying enrolled full-time (12+ credit hours), and meeting their school's academic-progress standards.
Eligibility
DemographicsMust reside in one of Golden LEAF's qualifying rural, economically distressed North Carolina counties (not all 100 counties qualify) and commit to attending a NC institution; FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) of $15,000 or less required.
Applying
$3,500 per year for up to four years ($14,000 total) at a North Carolina college or university.