Applications for Golden LEAF Foundation Scholarships due March 1

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Information and applications for the 2012-13 Golden LEAF Foundation scholarship program are now available at CFNC.org/goldenleaf.  A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients to assist with tuition at participating institutions for the 2012-13 academic year. 

The awards are valued at $12,000 ($3,000 per year for up to four years) for students from qualifying counties attending a participating North Carolina campus and are funded by a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.  The Golden LEAF Scholars Program is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).    

To be considered, an applicant must be enrolled during the 2011-12 academic year at a North Carolina public or private high school or a North Carolina community college, planning to enroll in fall 2012 as a full-time, degree-seeking freshman or transfer from a North Carolina community college at one of the 57 qualifying public universities or private colleges and universities in North Carolina, be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes with a permanent residence in one of 78 qualifying rural counties, and demonstrate financial need. 

Candidates must submit a Golden LEAF scholarship application, available at CFNC.org/goldenleaf; a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) , available at www.fafsa.gov; and a current high school or community college transcript no later than March 1.  A complete list of program requirements, participating campuses and qualifying counties can be viewed at CFNC.org/goldenleaf.  The application deadline is March 1, 2012.  

Golden LEAF also offers scholarship opportunities for students to attend participating N.C. community colleges.  Details are posted under the Golden LEAF Scholars Program for N.C. Community Colleges link at CFNC.org/goldenleaf. Contact the financial aid office at your local community college for more information about scholarship availability, application details and deadlines.

For more information about Golden LEAF Scholarship opportunities, contact College Foundation of North Carolina toll-free at 866-866-CFNC. 

About Golden LEAF

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to help transform North Carolina's economy. The foundation receives one-half of North Carolina's funds from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers and places special emphasis on assisting tobacco-dependent, economically distressed and/or rural communities across the state. The Golden LEAF Foundation works in partnership with governmental entities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and nonprofits to achieve its mission. The foundation has awarded 1,144 grants worth over $479 million since its inception. To learn more about applying for a grant, visit www.goldenleaf.org or call (888) 684-8404.

About CFNC

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina that helps students plan, apply, and pay for college. CFNC is a partnership of Pathways, the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc. 

• Pathways, created by the N.C. General Assembly in 1999, is a state-wide initiative to increase the college-going rate of North Carolinians by providing: comprehensive college and career planning resources; electronic applications and transcripts accepted by all 110 North Carolina colleges and universities; and, information on student financial aid and college affordability. Pathways is administered by The University of North Carolina General Administration in collaboration with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, the N.C. Community College System, and the N.C. Independent Colleges and Universities.
• The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), established in 1965, is the State agency that promotes access to higher education by administering financial aid and savings programs, informing students and families about paying for college, teaching educators about financial aid administration, and advocating for resources to support students.
• College Foundation, Inc. (CFI), a nonprofit corporation serving North Carolina students and families since 1955, administers a portfolio of more than $3.3 billion, including education loans, the State's college grant programs, and the tax-free "529" college savings program on behalf of the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority. CFI also delivers information to North Carolina students and families about paying for college and provides technology services for CFNC.org.

CFNC offers resources toll-free at 1-866-866-CFNC and at CFNC.org.

Applicants must reside in one of the following counties to be eligible:

Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Burke, Caldwell, Camden, Carteret, Caswell, Cherokee, Chowan, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Davie, Duplin, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Haywood, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Martin, McDowell, Mitchell, Montgomery, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Person, Pitt, Polk, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes, Wilson, Yadkin or Yancey  

SOURCE College Foundation of North Carolina