The Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship application for the 2026-2027 academic year is now available at CFNC.org
A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients from qualifying counties.
Applications are due March 1, 2026.
The awards are valued at $14,000 — $3,500 per year for up to four years — for North Carolina high school students attending a participating North Carolina college or university. North Carolina community college transfer students can receive up to $10,500 — $3,500 per year for up to three years.
“For more than 25 years, the Golden LEAF Scholarship Program has been an important component of the foundation’s workforce preparedness strategy,” said Golden LEAF President and CEO Scott T. Hamilton. “The Golden LEAF Board established the scholarship program to ensure that scholars gain the talent, knowledge, and skills needed to help North Carolina’s rural communities thrive by returning home to live, work, and lead future generations.”
To be eligible, students must be a graduating North Carolina high school senior or a currently enrolled North Carolina community college transfer student, enrolling full-time in the fall at a participating North Carolina public or private college or university.
Recipients are selected based upon multiple factors including an intent to return to a rural North Carolina county after graduation. Applicants must also fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and demonstrate financial need with a Student Aid Index that does not exceed 15000; have a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.5; and be a resident of and have strong roots in rural North Carolina.
The Golden LEAF Scholarship Program has provided more than 6,600 scholarships to help rural students attend the state’s colleges and universities.
Students awarded the Golden LEAF Scholarship to attend North Carolina colleges and universities are also eligible to participate in the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative.
The initiative allows scholars to participate in paid internships in their career field of interest, while strengthening career connections and opportunities in a rural North Carolina community.
The Golden LEAF Scholarship Program is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority and funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation.
Call 1-800-700-1775, and select Option 2 or send an email to
