Senior Scholarship Bulletin #1 2025-26
8.18.25
Morehead-Cain Scholars at UNC Chapel Hill- Criteria: Leadership, Scholarship (top 10% of senior class), Character, and Physical Vigor. Amt: full tuition, room and board, laptop computer, summer enrichment programs, and the opportunity to study abroad. Application opened Aug 15 and the deadline is October 1. Our HHS School nominees were selected last spring. However, students can self-nominate and apply directly for the Morehead-Cain, see Ms. McKenzie/Mr. Kealy if interested and have questions. more information Application Checklist
Park Scholarships at North Carolina State University- Criteria: minimum unweighted GPA of 3.8, Leadership, Service, and Character. Amt.: $98,000, along with funding for academic enrichment activities. Completed Park Applications are due by Nov. 1, 2025 along with a completed NC State application. All applicants self nominate. more information
The John Montgomery Belk Scholarship at Davidson College – Amt.: full tuition room and board (54,000 per year). Students also receive up to 3,000 dollars to pursue international studies during the summer. Criteria: honors student who has demonstrated intellectual and personal success with significant leadership experience. HHS may nominate two students to apply for this scholarship. Interested students please complete this form by Sep. 5, 2025 (HHS must notify Davidson of our school’s nominee by Nov. 1, applicants have until November 15th to complete the application). more information
UNC Charlotte Levine Scholars – Amt.: four years of full tuition, room and board, a laptop computer, and an $8,000 grant to implement a service project of the student’s own design. Criteria: unweighted GPA of 3.8-4.0, score 1300-1600 on the combined sections of the SAT or 29-36 composite score on the ACT, and demonstrate a commitment to community service. To be considered for a Levine Scholarship, you must be nominated by your school. All interested students please complete this form by September 12th, 2025. Candidates for the Levine Scholarship must submit their UNC Charlotte undergraduate application by Nov. 1st and then have until Nov. 15th to complete the levine scholarship application. Detailed information about the Levine Scholars Program can be found at more information
Senior Scholarship Bulletin #2 2025-26
8.24.25
The Gates Scholarship - Amt.: Will cover the full cost of school that remains after Federal and State money is awarded. Criteria: Must be African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American and must have a minimum weighted gpa of 3.3. Students must be Pell eligible (this is determined by your FAFSA, in general this will be students who qualify for Free Lunch). Because you will not be able to submit your FAFSA until after the deadline for this opportunity, it is fine to base your Pell eligibility on being eligible for Free Lunch in the past. The deadline for this scholarship is September 15, 2025 and it is available at Gates Foundation Please speak to Ms. McKenzie or Mr. Kealy if you have questions.
Jack Kent Cook Foundation - Amt.: determined on an individual basis so it varies but can be as much as $40,000 annually. Criteria: exceptional academic ability (minimum unweighted gpa of 3.5), unmet financial need, leadership, service to others and persistence. Application is available at jkcf.org deadline November 12, 2025.
The N.C. Teaching Fellows Program - will provide scholarships to about 160 future teachers each year. Students in the program will receive up to $8,250 per year in forgivable loans if they commit to teach in a STEM or a special education area. Teachers have 10 years to pay back the loan, either through cash or loan forgiveness. Recipients have to serve a year in a low-performing school or two years in another public school in NC for each year they received the loan for the loan forgiveness program. Criteria: must be planning to enroll in education program at Elon, Fayetteville State, Meredith College, NC A&T, NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, or UNC Pembroke. Minimum unweighted gpa of 3.0 and applicants are strongly encouraged to submit either an ACT or SAT test score (previous requirement had been 24 on ACT or 1100 on SAT). Applications will be available at NC Teaching Fellows in October, 2025. Last year, applications were due by early January.
United Negro College Fund (UNCF) - UNCF manages various scholarship programs and each program has its own eligibility criteria, open/close dates and required documentation. To apply for a UNCF scholarship, visit UNCF Applications are open now.
Senior Scholarship Bulletin #3 2025-26
9.17.25
UNC Asheville Honors Program - Amt.: varies. Criteria: unweighted 4.0, SAT of 1260 (critical reading/math only) or ACT composite of 28, demonstrated public service through high school.
If you are interested in this program, please apply to UNCA by the early action deadline of November 1, 2025. Qualified candidates will be sent follow-up information. More information can be found at UNCA Honors Program. Additional information regarding financial aid at UNC Asheville can be found Here
East Carolina Brinkley-Lane Scholars - Amt. $64,000 over four years. Criteria: meet one of the following four criteria: unweighted GPA of 3.7 or higher, weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher, minimum SAT 1330, or minimum ACT 29. This opportunity is by invitation only, students must first apply to ECU by their priority deadline of Oct 15, 2025. Qualified students will be invited to apply to the Scholars program and have until Dec. 2. More information, ECU Scholars
NC Central Cheatham-White Scholarship - Amt.: full cost of tuition plus room and board, estimated value is $84,000 over four years. Criteria: weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher, competitive applicants usually have minimum testing scores of 1280 on the SAT or a 28 on ACT and can demonstrate significant involvement in extracurricular activities. Any interested student, please complete this form by October 15, 2025. A nominated student will have until December 1 to apply. For more information visit NC Central
Berea College – admission to Berea College includes a full tuition scholarship. Criteria: Berea is committed to assisting motivated students from Appalachia who have limited economic resources; the majority of accepted students come from families earning between $12,000 - $45,000 dollars annually. For more information, visit www.berea.edu or call 1 800 326 5948.
Goodnight Scholars Program at NC State - Amt.: $23,000 per year for four years. Criteria: Submit an NC State admissions application by November 1, family income must be less than $120,000, be a NC resident, select a STEM major, and demonstrate a history of exceptional academic performance. NC State will invite 1,600 NC residents to apply to the Goodnight Scholars Program based on their applications. After November 1, students can also self-nominate for the Goodnight Scholars Program through the program website.
Ron Brown Scholar Program – Amt.: $10,000 per year for four years. Criteria: The Ron Brown Scholarship is a national program that awards scholarships to academically talented, highly motivated African American high school seniors who intend to pursue an undergraduate degree full-time. The application deadline is December 1, 2025. Applications are available at www.ronbrown.org
Senior Scholarship Bulletin #4 2025-2026
9.25.25
FAFSA – The 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid is open. FAFSA
The student and at least one parent/guardian will each need to create a Federal Student Aid ID to access and submit the 2026-27 FAFSA form. These accounts can be made now at FSA Account
This is a helpful video on creating your Federal Student Aid ID.
Access to the student and parent/guardian portions of the form are separate. We strongly recommend that the student begin the form first. They must use their FSA ID to start the form. The student will be asked to supply at least one parent/guardian's contact information, which will include a valid email address. The parent/guardian will receive an email containing information about accessing and completing their portion. They will use their FSA ID to do this.
Filing a FAFSA form does not obligate parents/guardians to contribute to their child's education. Students who complete their FAFSA form will receive a Student Aid Index (SAI), which will determine their eligibility for Federal Pell Grants/Loans, along with state Grants/Loans. The SAI used to be called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and this change was made to make it clear that there is no parental obligation to contribute financially just by filing a FAFSA form.
A school’s Cost of Attendance minus the Student Aid Index will determine your financial need which will be used by schools to calculate your Financial Aid Award. Some universities also require the CSS Profile to be submitted prior to determining your Financial Aid Award. A complete list of schools that require the CSS Profile and access to the form is available Here
*Students and parents/guardians be aware that filing your FAFSA form is FREE. There are sites that offer to assist students with completing their FAFSA form for a fee. Do not pay any money to complete a FAFSA form and only use the federal site linked above when completing your FAFSA form.*
Senior Scholarship Bulletin #4 2025-26
10.14.25
Dream Scholarship - Amt.: $2,500. Criteria: This scholarship is open to applicants who have attended Henderson County Public Schools or otherwise have a close association with Henderson County AND are ineligible for in-state tuition. No specific deadline given, application is open and available here
Centre College First Generation Guarantee - Amt.: tuition and up to full cost of attendance depending on financial need. If you are the first student in your family to attend college, this applies to you! There is no application fee to apply to Centre Also learn more about there cost of attendance here and first generation scholarship here
Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship- Amt: 2 first place awards of $50,000, 2 second place awards of $40,000, 2 third place awards of $30,000, 14 $20,000, and 480 runner-up awards of $4,000. There were winners from Henderson County last year. Criteria: scholarship (ACT/SAT scores and transcript), leadership (employment, community service, honors/awards, activities), financial need (parent tax returns), essay to write of 500 words or less and one letter of recommendation. Application due date is November 12, 2025 and available at Elks National Foundation
UNC Wilmington Scholarships - Amt.: varies. Criteria: competitive applicant to UNC Wilmington. At UNC Wilmington they use your application material to determine merit awards, however they do have a scholarship application form they require interested students to complete. It will be available at UNCW Scholarships starting Dec.1.
Robertson Scholars Program at UNC Chapel Hill & Duke University – each year the Robertson Scholars program selects thirty-six new scholars, 18 who attend UNC Chapel Hill and 18 who attend Duke University. This MERIT based program provides not only generous financial benefits but also a comprehensive summer enrichment program, mentoring, special courses, and unique access to the resources of its two partner universities. Robertson Scholars Program seeks students who have demonstrated their passion and potential to become great leaders in college and beyond. The application due date is November 15, 2025. More information and access to the online application is available here
ROTC Scholarships - ROTC scholarships are available for the Army, Navy and Air Force more information on the criteria and application steps is available Here The Marine Core also has financial assistance opportunities for school, this information is available Here
Senior Scholarship Bulletin #5 2024-25
Senior Scholarship Bulletin #5 2025-26
11.18.24
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC): this foundation is in Buncombe County. CFWNC offers numerous scholarships; HHS students are eligible for six of them. This link will take you to the CFWNC scholarship directory. You have to click on the scholarship link in the above scholarship directory and then access the “to Apply” button. Then applications are completed through Smarter Select after students create a login to access them here. Deadlines vary, but the most common deadline date is January 16, 2026. CFWNC will also require a FAFSA report before any awards are sent out, this information can be sent in up to a month after the student application deadline.
The six opportunities are:
Nathaniel Ellis Cannady Jr. Scholarship: Amt.: $7,500 renewable for a total of $30,000. Criteria: Applicants must be planning to study engineering, construction, project management or information technology, academic performance (minimum 3.0 GPA), and preference is given to applicants with financial need. Deadline Jan. 16, 2026.
Harry W. Clarke Memorial Scholarship Program: Amt: $2,000 renewable for three more years at a four-year school. Criteria: plan to attend a NC four year school, moral character, financial need, scholarship, community service, extracurricular activities/work experience. Deadline Jan 22, 2025. Also a $1,000 award renewable for a second year at a community college, deadline is also Jan. 22, 2024 for this two year school opportunity.
Western North Carolina Regional Scholarships: Amt: $1,000 – 20,000. Criteria: permanent residence within one of 18 Western North Carolina counties, financial need, moral character, scholarship. Each high school can have one candidate for a $1,000 non-renewable scholarship, from this pool of applicants, CFWNC selects finalists for renewable scholarships ranging from $1,200 - $5,000 per year for four years. Deadline Jan. 16, 2026.
Captain John G. Gardner Memorial Scholarship: Amt.: one-time award of $1,000. Criteria: a relative of active duty military or a decorated veteran from Vietnam service. If you need assistance obtaining proof of this service contact the Veterans Administration by calling 1.800.827.1000. Additional essay required. Deadline Feb. 27, 2026.
Asheville Wilbert Vault Service Scholarship: Amt.: one-time award of $2,000. Criteria: Applicants must be planning to study funeral service. Deadline Feb. 27, 2026.
Senior Scholarship Bulletin #6 2025-2026
11.13.25
Bessie Noble and Willie Lou Jordan Scholarship Fund: Amt.: determined by the market value of the scholarship fund, last year’s award was $3,000. Criteria: demonstrated academic ability (2.5 gpa or higher), teacher recommendation, essay, and financial need (copy of parent’s federal tax form 1040 pages one and two only, and W2 forms for both parents if applicable). Application is available at CSA and due by January 22, 2026 (additional materials: teacher recommendation, transcript, activities resume, essay, and parents tax info must be RECEIVED by Jan. 22, 2026 as well). This opportunity can be applied for again when in college, one current senior or former graduate will receive this award.
Ione M. Allen Music Scholarship - open to residents of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, Swain, Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, HENDERSON, Polk, Buncombe, or Madison County. Amt.: is a function of the market value of the scholarship fund each year, no information given on last years award. Scholarship is for one year but may be applied to again in the future. Criteria: musical aptitude, applicant must perform a 5-minute piece of music, academic achievement, financial need, letters of recommendation from a teacher, essay, and completed application. The application and complete instructions are available at CSA and due by January 22, 2026. This scholarship can be used in or out of state, recipient must be a music major enrolled full-time.
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC): This foundation is in Buncombe County. CFWNC offers numerous scholarships; HHS students are eligible for six of them. This link will take you to the CFWNC scholarship directory. You have to click on the scholarship link in the above scholarship directory and then access the “How to Apply” button. Deadlines vary, but the most common deadline date is January 16, 2026. CFWNC will also require a FAFSA report before any awards are sent out. This information can be sent in up to a month after the student application deadline.
The six opportunities are:
Nathaniel Ellis Cannady Jr. Scholarship: Amt.: $7,500 renewable for a total of $30,000. Criteria: Applicants must be planning to study engineering, construction, project management or information technology, academic performance (minimum 3.0 GPA), and preference is given to applicants with financial need. Deadline Jan. 16, 2026.
Harry W. Clarke Memorial Scholarship Program: Amt: $2,000 renewable for three more years at a four-year school. Criteria: plan to attend a NC four year school, moral character, financial need, scholarship, community service, extracurricular activities/work experience. Deadline Jan 16, 2026. Also a $1,000 award renewable for a second year at a community college, deadline is also Jan. 22, 2024 for this two year school opportunity.
Western North Carolina Regional Scholarships: Amt: $1,000 – 20,000. Criteria: permanent residence within one of 18 Western North Carolina counties, financial need, moral character, scholarship. Each high school can have one candidate for a $1,000 non-renewable scholarship, from this pool of applicants, CFWNC selects finalists for renewable scholarships ranging from $1,200 - $5,000 per year for four years. Deadline Jan. 16, 2026.
Captain John G. Gardner Memorial Scholarship: Amt.: one-time award of $1,000. Criteria: a relative of active duty military or a decorated veteran from Vietnam service. If you need assistance obtaining proof of this service contact the Veterans Administration by calling 1.800.827.1000. Additional essay required. Deadline Feb. 27, 2026.
Asheville Wilbert Vault Service Scholarship: Amt.: one-time award of $2,000. Criteria: Applicants must be planning to study funeral service. Deadline Feb. 27, 2026.
Senior Scholarship Bulletin #7 2025 -26
12.1.25
Community Foundation of Henderson County (CFHC) Scholarships: CFHC is an electronic application, there are no paper applications available. CFHC has over 100 scholarship opportunities and is now open for applications. Because these scholarships are primarily for Henderson County students and offer opportunities at two- and four-year schools, all seniors should give the application a good look. The deadline for submission of this application electronically is February 2, 2026.
The first step is to create an account and then you will be able to log in to complete the application. Once your application is completed, the CFHC system will generate a scholarship match list and you can select all of the scholarships you want to apply for. Some of these opportunities require additional information; you will receive a request for it if you are eligible. It is very important that you do not use your @stu.hcpsnc.org email. Many of the CFHC opportunities are renewable and they want an email contact that will still be available after you graduate.
Completed applications include a personal essay, your Student Aid Report which is a copy of your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the option to have 1 or 2 letters of recommendation. You will indicate if this optional recommendation will be uploaded by you or you will link a teacher/recommender. We strongly encourage you to select link a recommender, so that this information can be submitted confidentially by your recommender(s).
Any documents that CFHC requests from you (transcripts/Student Aid Report from FAFSA), must be done in PDF format. Please email Ms. McKenzie or me if you need our help. There is still no firm opening date for the 2024-25 FAFSA, but this should be in early December. Completing the FAFSA so that you can access the Student Aid Report is required for this application to be complete.
There are no paper applications for CFHC available in the guidance office. This must be completed online. Computers are available in the guidance office and the library if you need them to help complete this application.
Henderson County Education Foundation - All scholarship opportunities through HCEF will be done online.
Students must visit this page to view all scholarship opportunities. Once you know what scholarships you wish to apply for, go to the scholarship instructions after reading the information hit the “click to apply” box toward the end of the page. HCEF offers 14 scholarship opportunities for HHS students. There is no limit to how many of these 14 opportunities you can apply for.
Every student must first take an Eligibility Quiz to determine which scholarships they may be eligible for. Once you complete the Eligibility Quiz, click the “Submit Eligibility” button on the bottom right. Once your eligibility questions are complete, you can no longer change them. If you made an error or feel that you were incorrectly identified as not eligible, please send an email to scholarships@hcefnc.org, and your eligibility can be reviewed.
Last year, students were asked to upload their transcripts and report cards to their HCEF application. Ms. McKenzie and I can email you a PDF of your transcripts/report cards on request if this remains the same. Report cards will be available in early January.
The application deadline is February 2, 2026.
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