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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).
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***Should a student become ineligible to use any semester’s scholarship award, those
funds will be awarded to other qualified students within the same institution.
Other WCE Student Selection Considerations
Applicants will be selected based on financial need and county of residence. Other selection
factors may include:
The effect of the declining economy on his or her family.
Owner of or employed in farming/agriculture business
Owner of or employed in traditional industries (such as textile or furniture
manufacturing)
Household member lost their job or has gone from full-time to part-time
employment
Academic performance
Campus activities and community service
Scholarship Awarding Format Sample:
Colleges may select students to receive up to $2,250 in awards annually. For example, if a
student receives $2,250, funds will be awarded up to $1,000 for the fall, $1,000 for the spring
and $250 in the summer. The scholarship may be renewed for one year, if the student meets
eligibility criteria. If the student fails to enroll, those remaining funds may be awarded to another
student. Grants for less-than-full-time students will be prorated based on hours of enrollment and
pending availability of funds. For example, if a student is awarded $2,250 for the fall and spring,
but enrolls for only halftime for the spring semester, the award will be prorated for the spring to
$563. The remaining $562 may be awarded to another student.
Application Process
The System Office will promote and market the scholarship among the local community colleges
to help the students understand and recognize the mission of Golden LEAF. A marketing and
publicity plan approved by the Foundation will include the scholarship notification letter sent to
each scholar.
Students will complete the Golden LEAF Scholars Program Two-year Colleges application for
the targeted academic year. Applications will be filed with the college financial aid offices or
Workforce Continuing Education departments.
Timing for the selection process is determined by the award policies and procedures of each college.
Financial aid offices will work with Workforce Continuing Education departments to determine
the awards periods for those students.
Applicants bear full responsibility for completing the Golden LEAF application prior to each
deadline.
Financial aid offices will disburse awards and collect media releases forms regarding the
scholarship recipients.
Financial aid offices will provide a list of selected recipients including name, amount, address,
counties, email, and use of funds to NCCCS.
This program is funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation.
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North Carolina Community Colleges
Golden LEAF Scholars Program Two-Year Colleges
2020-2021 Student Application
Instructions: Complete this application and return the completed application to the college’s Financial
Aid Office. Eligible students must reside in a rural county that is tobacco dependent, or economically
destressed, as determined by the Golden LEAF Foundation (Please see your schools financial aid office
for a list of 2020-2021 Qualifying Counties).
Personal Information:
Full Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Student ID Number: _______________________________________________________________
Home Address: ______________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code: __________________________________________________________________
E-Mail Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _____________________ Mobile number: ____________________
NC County of residence: _______________________________________________________________
Length of residence in county: ____ less than 5 years ____ 5 10 years ____ more than 10 years
(To be eligible for this scholarship, your permanent residence must be in an approved NC county.)
Educational Information:
College you are attending: _____________________________________________________________
____ Occupational Continuing Education Student (must be enrolled in a credentialing program of at least
96 hours.)
Program you are enrolled in: _____________________________________________________
____ Curriculum Student: _____ GPA _____1
st
semester _____ not enrolled
Program you are enrolled in: _____________________________________________________
Other Information:
Have members of your immediate family worked for or owned a farming or agricultural related business
now or in the past? ____ yes ____ no
Have you or members of your immediate family been employed in traditional industries such as furniture,
textiles, or tobacco manufacturing? ____ yes ____ no
Has anyone in your household lost their job in the past two years? ____ yes ____no
Has anyone in your household transitioned from a full-time job to a part-time job? ____ yes ____ no
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Please list all campus and community service activities you are currently involved in, if any.
Use of Funds:
____ Tuition ____ Fees ____ Books ____ Supplies ____ Credentialing Exams
____ Childcare _____ Transportation
I have read and understand the requirements for assistance. I hereby declare that the information provided
on this form is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge.
_______________________________________ ____________
Applicant’s Signature Date
Please return the completed application to the college’s Financial Aid Office.