Affiliate Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund For Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
Women for Women
Browse Affiliates Funds
Black Mountain - Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund Cashiers Community Fund The Fund For Haywood County Highlands Community Fund The McDowell Endowment The Fund for Mitchell County Rutherford County Endowment Transylvania Endowment The Yancey Fund
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How it works

About Scholarships

Scholarships are open to North Carolina residents who are public high school seniors, who attend the NC School of Science and Mathematics or the UNC School of the Arts High School or who study in a home school registered with the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education. There are programs open to private high school students in Buncombe County, and programs open to students already in college or who are employees or children of employees of certain area corporations. Scholarships may be applied to a nonprofit postsecondary two- or four-year college, university, or vocational school in the United States, unless otherwise specified in the relevant fund agreement.

CFWNC ensures that all scholarship recipients are selected on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis and that selections are based on specific guidelines and criteria for each fund.

Browse Scholarship Directory
Nancy Membreno, a first-generation college student attending UNC Chapel Hill
About

Nancy Membreno, a first-generation college student attending UNC Chapel Hill, was awarded the Marilyn Lester and William Lester Scholarship, valued at $40,000 over four years. She found everything about college intimidating, but wanted to prioritize scholarships. Receiving the Lester Scholarship, brought her relief over her financial situation and demonstrated that people believe she can succeed in college and beyond.

Photo by Nancy Membreno.

How to Start Your Own Scholarship

Many donors have chosen to honor a loved one, alma mater, community or profession by establishing scholarship endowments. CFWNC currently manages 50 scholarship funds.

Contact our staff to discuss contributing to an existing scholarship fund or creating a scholarship endowment.

Contact our team

The 2024 scholarship cycle awarded $589,500 to 96 students.

Eligibility Requirements for Scholarships

Review the list of available scholarships and eligibility requirements to be sure you qualify. In addition, applicants must demonstrate:

  • Financial need (unless otherwise noted)
  • Academic achievement or potential (based on class rank, GPA and SAT scores)
  • A history of active participation in school activities, community service, extracurricular involvement, and/or work experience
  • Strong moral character

You must meet the above criteria in addition to any further eligibility requirements stated for specific programs.

Questions? Contact Amber Harrelson-Williams

Scholarship Officer
By email or call 828-367-9916

Email Amber