Counselors Corner

Scholarship Alert: Youngsville Kiwanis Club Scholarship

Click here to access the SCholarship Information and Directions

🎓 Scholarship Alert: Vance Granville Community College Scholarship Applications Now Open

The VGCC Foundation is pleased to share that scholarship applications are now open for the Fall 2026 / Spring 2027 academic year. We encourage you to help spread the word to students and remind them to apply early.

 Here is the link to the scholarship page:  https://www.vgcc.edu/fao/scholarships/. 

The review process will begin on June 1, so early applications are strongly encouraged.

This year, 300 students will be awarded with scholarships up to $2,500 to help fund their education. Funds may be used for tuition, childcare, transportation, equipment, supplies, or other related costs.

To apply for a scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed high school (or equivalency) by July 1
• Plan to attend a not-for-profit community college or trade/vocational school
• Enroll in an associate’s degree, certificate, or diploma program by September that will lead to employment
• May not be enrolled in prerequisite courses
• Demonstrate financial need (applicants must show household income of $100,000 or less)
• Be under the age of 35
• Be a United States citizen

 
PRIORITY DEADLINE: JUNE 15, 2026 but Applications will be accepted until all scholarships have been awarded

Click here to access the Application and Directions

🎓 Scholarship Alert: Family and Consumer Sciences/Health Science Scholarship

Click here to access the application and directions

🎓 Scholarship Alert: Student Council Scholarship

Click here to access the application and directions

🎓 Scholarship Opportunity: Bunn Boost Scholarships

Below are links to local Franklin County scholarships. Click on each for more details and application information.

2026 - PIlot Lions Scholarship

2026 - Bob Wheless Scholarhsip

2026 - NELL BRANTLEY HOPKINS SCHOLARSHIP 

⚓ NROTC Scholarship: Graduate Debt-Free & Lead the Navy

Full Tuition | Monthly Stipend | Guaranteed Career

Are you looking for a way to pay for college while preparing for a high-level leadership career? The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship offers students a "full ride" experience at leading universities across the country.

While you earn your degree, you will train to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, graduating with a guaranteed job and no tuition debt.

💰 Scholarship Benefits

• Full Tuition and all required educational fees.

• Textbook Stipend to cover your course materials.

• Monthly Allowance: A "subsistence" check every month that increases every year you are in the program.

🛤️ Choose Your Path: Three Scholarship Tracks

The Navy offers three distinct ways to use this scholarship based on what you want to study:

1. Four-Year National Scholarship (STEM Focused):

   • Best for: Students interested in Engineering, Math, or Science.

   • Note: Approximately 85% of these awards go to students in STEM-related majors (Tier 1 and Tier 2).

2. Pre-Med Option:

   • Best for: High-achieving students (minimum 3.5 GPA) who want to become physicians.

   • The Perk: You complete your undergraduate degree and medical school first; your military service obligation doesn't begin until after your residency.

3. Nursing Option:

   • Best for: Students committed to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

   • The Result: You will commission directly into the Navy Nurse Corps, providing care to Sailors and Marines worldwide.

✅ Quick Eligibility Check

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

• Must be between the ages of 17 and 23.

• Must meet Navy physical fitness standards.

• Must demonstrate strong character and leadership potential.

🔗 How to Apply

The application is handled entirely online. If you are a leader in your school, a strong student, and ready to serve, start your journey here:

Apply Online: Official NROTC Scholarship Website

🎓 Scholarship Opportunity: Melissa Watkins Reed Scholarship

Click on this link to access the scholarship details and application

🎓 UNCF February Update: Money, Majors, and Motivation

The UNCF has released its February bulletin, and it is packed with resources to help you get to—and through—college. With over $62 million awarded annually, you do not want to ignore these opportunities.

Here is what you need to know this month:

💰 1. Scholarship & Internship Alert

Status: OPEN NOW New scholarships and internships are currently open for applications. These opportunities are not just for students attending HBCUs; many are open to students attending any accredited college.

• Action Item: Check the UNCF portal immediately. February is a short month, and deadlines will approach quickly.

• Special Note for Athletes: Are you a tennis player hoping to play at the collegiate level? Coco Gauff (World No. 3) has just donated $150,000 specifically for tennis scholarships at HBCUs. If you play competitive tennis, you need to look into this!

🏥 2. Career Spotlight: Health & Exercise Sciences

Are you interested in medicine but not sure if you want to be a doctor? UNCF is highlighting careers in Health and Exercise Sciences. This field combines clinical care, public health, fitness, and rehabilitation.

• What it involves: Understanding how the human body works to prevent illness and boost performance.

• Career Paths: Personal Training, Physical Therapy, Public Health Administration, Wellness Coaching, and Rehabilitation.

❓ 3. The Big Question: "What Could My Life Be Like?"

We know you are probably tired of adults asking, "So, what are your plans after graduation?" If you are on the fence about whether college is worth the cost or the effort, UNCF has released a new guide to help you compare the value, opportunities, and costs of a degree.

• Why read it? It moves beyond the generic "go to college" advice and helps you visualize what your life could actually look like based on different choices.

💸 Efficiency Alert: One Application, 130 Scholarships!

Work Smarter, Not Harder.

Applying for scholarships can be time-consuming, but the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) makes it easier. They offer a "Universal Application" system—meaning you can fill out one single application and automatically be considered for up to 130 different scholarships managed by their foundation.

📺 Watch the "How-To" Guide

If you missed the live webinar explaining how to navigate this portal, the recording is now available.

• What you'll learn: How to access the NCCF portal, eligibility requirements, and tips for submitting a strong application.

• Click Here to Watch the NCCF Scholarship Webinar on YouTube

📚 More Financial Aid Resources

Need more help? The College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) has a library of recorded workshops from the Fall 2025 semester covering various financial aid topics.

• Visit: www.cfnc.org/trainings to browse the video library.

• Coming Soon: Stay tuned for a list of new Spring 2026 workshops!

🚀 Fast-Track Your Future: Early Assurance & Pathway Programs

Attention Seniors interested in Medicine, Law, and Health Sciences!

Did you know you can secure a "pathway" to graduate school before you even start your first day of college?

Several North Carolina universities offer Early Assurance Programs. These are highly competitive tracks that allow high school seniors to gain conditional acceptance into medical school, law school, or other professional graduate programs at the same time they apply for their undergraduate degree.

Why apply now? If accepted, you often bypass the stress of applying to grad school later, and you receive specialized mentoring throughout your college career.

📍 NC A&T State University Pathways

NC A&T offers two prestigious partnership programs. Applications are open now!

• For Aspiring Lawyers: A partnership with Elon Law School and North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law.

  • Apply Here: Pre-Law Pathway

• For Aspiring Doctors: A partnership with the Brody School of Medicine at ECU.

  • Apply Here: Brody School of Medicine Early Assurance

📍 East Carolina University (ECU)

Beyond the medical school pathway, ECU offers Early Assurance into several competitive health programs.

• Available Pathways: Nursing, Audiology, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.

• View ECU Early Assurance Details

📍 UNC-Pembroke

UNC-Pembroke offers a wide variety of transfer pathways and early assurance agreements for students entering specific fields.

• Available Pathways: Public Health, Dentistry, Physician Assistant, Engineering, Pharmacy, Politics/Law, and Veterinary Medicine.

• View UNC-Pembroke Pathway Details

⚠️ Important Note for Seniors

Timing is everything. Most Early Assurance programs require you to apply during your senior year of high school. If you wait until you are already a college student, you may miss the window for these specific benefits.

Tip: Even if you aren't attending one of the schools listed above, check the website of your prospective college to see if they offer "Early Assurance" or "Pathway" programs for your major!

Previous Scholarships:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iR5PGjxoLxQ-fgjfX-0y_uqz46oQG0zWgniyAVkDgH4/edit?usp=sharing