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Golden LEAF Two-Year Scholars Program
2020-2021
Eligibility Guidelines and Student Application
The Golden LEAF Scholars Program – Two-Year Colleges will provide grants of up to $2,250
annually for curriculum students and up to $1000 annually for workforce continuing education students.
The scholarships help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, transportation,
childcare and other components of the total cost of attendance for 2020-2021 fall, spring, and summer
semesters.
Student Eligibility Requirements
▪ Eligible students must (1) be a North Carolina resident, (2) demonstrate financial need and (3)
reside in a rural county that is tobacco dependent, or economically destressed, as determined by the
Golden LEAF Foundation (please see Qualifying Counties 2020-2021 list below). A scholarship
recipient who resides in an eligible county upon initial award will retain eligibility and will be
eligible for renewal awards as long as the student’s place of residence is within the state of North
Carolina.
▪ Eligible students may receive an award each year. Financial aid offices will determine their
application procedures for receiving awards for subsequent terms. Selected students will be
required to disclose all financial aid awards as dictated by college financial aid offices for award
packaging. Golden LEAF Scholarships will not displace federal grants, e.g. Pell grants, for which
the student may be eligible (may displace loan funds).
Curriculum Student Selection Criteria
Eligible students must:
(1) Be enrolled at least full-time for fall and spring; Summer school students must be
enrolled at least 6 credit hours. Grants for less-than-full-time students will be prorated
based on hours of enrollment and pending availability of funds
(2) Demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA;
(3) Be a resident of North Carolina
(4) Reside in a rural county that is tobacco dependent, or economically destressed, as
determined by the Golden LEAF Foundation (Please check with your financial aid office for
Qualifying Counties 2020-2021).
Workforce Continuing Education Student Eligibility
Eligible students must:
(1) Resident of North Carolina
(2) Students enrolling in Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) pathways/courses
offered for 96 hours or more and leading to a State or industry-recognized credential.
Eligible course codes are included on the attached Combined Course Library list.
These pathways may consist of a single WCE course or a series of courses.
(3) Eligibility criteria for students include:
• is unemployed;
• has received notification of a pending layoff;
• is working and is eligible for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit (FEITC); or
• is working and earning wages at or below two hundred percent (200%) of the
federal poverty guidelines.
(4) Reside in a rural county that is tobacco dependent, or economically destressed, as
determined by the Golden LEAF Foundation (Please check with your financial aid office
for Qualifying Counties 2020-2021).