Noteworthy Scholarships for Students in North Carolina for 2021

Going Merry provides helpful resources for college students to find North Carolina scholarships

North Carolina is the birthplace of Krispy Kreme and Pepsi, but the Old North State has even more interesting facts! North Carolina was ranked 35th most expensive and 18th most affordable state or district to attend college during the 2017-2018 academic year. Those are pretty good numbers! In fact, the average annual in-state college tuition in North Carolina was $10,925 during that same academic year.

Finding scholarships can be tough, but we know scholarships are one of the best ways to pay for college. Resources like scholarships can save you more money and time in the future. Scholarships do not need to be repaid, unlike loans. The money is usually applied to tuition, but there are scholarships that give winners full control of the funds.

One scholarship hack to remember: There is a scholarship for almost everything. You only need to search for scholarships related to your specific situation. Utilizing both the unique and everyday aspects of your life will help you eliminate competition. For example, where you live! Compared to the number of people applying for nationally available scholarships.

We found some great North Carolina scholarships to help. We also linked the scholarship pages for foundations providing more than one scholarship. Have a look!

Here is our list of incredible scholarships found in North Carolina:

1. Hannah Viall Memorial Scholarship

Provider: LIVE like Hannah Foundation (Charity Smith)

Amount: $5,000

Hannah Viall was a special young lady that showed kindness and compassion to all, whether she knew you or not. She never met a stranger, treated everyone as though they were her best friend, practiced acceptance and compassion and loved to make other people laugh and feel good about themselves. Hannah had a way of reaching out to all individuals and making each one feel loved and accepted. We established the LIVE like Hannah Foundation and the Hannah Viall Memorial Scholarship because it exemplified her qualities of loving, including and valuing everyone no matter your race, ethnicity, social class, etc. We are grateful for the lessons she has taught us and will strive to continue to live like Hannah!

2. Martha Lee Joyce Know Your History Scholarship

Provider: The Simmonstown, Sandy Level, and Greentown Communities

Amount: $1,500

The Martha Lee Joyce Know Your History Scholarship was created in honor of Martha Lee Joyce for her contributions to civil rights, African-American History and the preservation of African-American Heritage in her community of Mt. Airy, NC (Mayberry) and beyond. At a time when African-American history was not taught at a high level in schools, Martha Joyce taught African-American history in her church, in her home and at over 200 programs and beauty pageants that she produced in a career that spanned well over 60 years. Martha Lee Joyce was an avid reader and writer who wrote a column for the local newspaper, The Mount Airy News, that highlighted the achievements, accomplishments, and birthdays of those in the African-American community. Martha Lee Joyce also served the local chapter of the NAACP for many years. It is the hope that these scholarships will encourage the applicants to love and know their history and to believe that “Reading Is Fundamental”.

3. Katie Atkins Memorial Scholarship

Provider: Katherine Atkins Memorial Fund (Charity Smith)

Amount: $1,000

The Katie Atkins Memorial Scholarship is for students enrolled at Robert B. Glenn High School in Kernersville, North Carolina. To be eligible the student must be a senior, planning to attend a four-year university and show leadership within their school and community. The funds will be used to help this student afford a higher education.

4. DLee Strong Scholarship

Provider: DLee Strong Scholarship Foundation

Amount: $1,000

The DLee Strong Scholarship Foundation was set up in honor of the memory of David George Lee Jr, who successfully battled Leukemia before succumbing to complications years later to Stage 4 Renal and Lung Cancer. The goal is to give a scholarship once a year to the same school he attended, played sports at, and supported after his time there for the remainder of his life.

5. Asheville Latin Americans Achieving Success WNC College Scholarship

Provider: Asheville Latin Americans Achieving Success

Amount: $600 to $1200

ALAS created the Asheville Latin Americans Achieving Success WNC College Scholarship to support Undocumented/ DACAmented students attending any college or university in western North Carolina. Undergraduates and Graduates may apply. Applicants will not be eligible for in-state tuition or attending a private institution. In addition, applicants will not qualify for Pell Grants due to their immigrant status.

6. Judy Knox Scholarship

Provider: North Carolina Foundation for Nursing

Amount: $1,000 per year

In honor of former member of the NCBON staff, Judy Knox, the Judy Knox Scholarship is designed to assist registered nurses seeking their BSN on a full or part time basis (preference will be given to full time students). The NCFN provide a number of scholarships. Check out seven other North Carolinian, nursing scholarships here.

7. Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship Fund

Provider: North Carolina Federation of Republican Women

Amount: $500

The North Carolina Federation of Republican Women established the Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship Fund in 1991 in honor of First Lady Dottie Martin’s work and dedication to the families and
youth of North Carolina. Women and men currently pursuing an education career may apply. Women and men are encouraged to apply. Recent high school graduates are not eligible. Applicants must display career plans, and further along in completing their program of education.

8. North Carolina Community Colleges Linemen’s Scholarship

Provider: Fallen linemen Foundation

Amount: $2,000

Students enrolled full-time in an Electrical Linemen Program are eligible to apply to the North Carolina Community Colleges Linemen’s Scholarship. Community colleges offering qualified programs are Caldewell Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, Nash Community College, and Stanly Community College. Applicants must be a permanent resident of North Carolina. Two scholarships will be awarded.

9. NSLEOA State Educational Scholarship

Provider: North State Law Enforcement Officers Association

Amount: up to $1,000

To be eligible for the NSLEOA State Educational Scholarship, applicants must study Criminal Justice or a related field and must be involved with in extracurricular activities. Students must be 24 years old or younger. One scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to the top applicant and two (2) scholarships of $500 each will be awarded to the top two additional applicants. You can find an additional scholarship, specifically for the Gate City Chapter of the association, on their official scholarship page.

10. People Helping People Scholarship

Provider: SECU Foundation

Amount: $1,250 (for 8 consecutive fall/spring semesters)

The People Helping People Scholarship is for public high school seniors who are either current members of State Employees’ Credit Union (“SECU”), or the child of a parent/guardian who is a member of SECU at the time of application. Membership eligibility does not include Local Government Federal Credit Union or NC Press Association Credit Union members. Students are expected to attend college full-time. The 115 North Carolina Local Education Agencies (“LEAs”)/School Districts will receive a minimum of one scholarship for a senior to attend one of the 16 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina System.


Loving these scholarships, but need help applying for your government financial aid? We can help you fill out your FAFSA and state aid.


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11. Triangle Pest Control Scholarship

Provider: Triangle Pest Control

Amount: $500

The Triangle Pest Control Scholarship supports students studying business, marketing, or a related field. Triangle Pest control favors entrepreneurship and small business-minded individuals.

12. Kids’ Chance of North Carolina Scholarship

Provider: Kids’ Chance of North Carolina

Amount: up to $5,000

The Kids’ Chance of North Carolina Scholarship is for high school and undergraduate students, between the ages of 16-25, that are a dependent of a worker killed or seriously injured in a work-related accident or occupational disease with a North Carolina employer. Applicants are expected to attend college full-time.

13. Betsy Y. Justus Founders Scholarship

Provider: NC TECH

Amount: $4,000 ($1,000 per year)

The Betsy Y. Justus Founders Scholarship was established in memory of NC TECH’s founding CEO. To be eligible, applicants must be a rising female college freshman, re-entry or transfer student, enrolled for undergraduate course work at an accredited institution of higher learning located in North Carolina. Applicants must declare their major in a technology or engineering. The full amount of $4,000 is divided into $1,000 per year. Applicants must qualify for North Carolina resident status.

14. Oliver Joel and Ellen Pell Denny Healthcare Scholarship

Provider: The Winston Salem Foundation

Amount: up to $1,500 (yearly)

The Oliver Joel and Ellen Pell Denny Healthcare Scholarship was established in 1985 by Roby E. Taylor to provide scholarships to NC residents seeking a degree in a healthcare field. Students pursuing a degree in the healthcare field are eligible to apply. Master’s nursing degrees, physicians’ assistant and family nurse practitioner degrees are also eligible. Preference is given to residents of Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin counties.

BONUS: The foundation has a “one-stop application” that allows you to apply for all of their scholarships (not just this one) with a single application.

Still need help with financial aid and college scholarships?

We get it. Financing college tuition can be quite the process, and with so many scholarships out there, how do you know which ones to apply for? Start by submitting your FAFSA form as soon as possible since this will help determine what financial aid you might qualify for.

Check out these North Carolina scholarship application options:

Then, create a free profile today for access to our scholarship library to find scholarships that best suit your financial aid needs. At Going Merry, we make finding and applying for scholarships easy. You’ll be matched with the scholarships you’re eligible for, save your favorite scholarships, and then apply. Get started today. Sign up here.

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