The 2024 scholarship cycle awarded $589,500 to 96 students. Contact our staff to discuss contributing to an existing scholarship fund or creating a scholarship endowment.
Lily Foo graduated from Asheville High School and received the Irving Jacob Reuter Award, Rotary Club of Asheville Henry R. Morrill Scholarship, and the Newton Academy William Forster Jr. & Nancy-Forster Stevens Scholarship. "I am so grateful to the scholarship support I received from The Community Foundation of Western NC! I am currently enrolled in Honors Carolina at UNC Chapel Hill. I have always loved technical problem solving and plan to pursue a major in math with a double major or minor in Physics. I am taking advantage of Chapel Hill’s general curricular approach to explore different ways to apply math. I also plan to study abroad through UNC’s program in Singapore to broaden my cultural perspective, connect with my Chinese heritage, and develop my proficiency in Mandarin." Photo courtesy of Lily Foo
How Scholarships are Awarded
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.
Eligibility Requirements
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.
Caitlyn Muniz from Rosman High School was awarded the Clyde and Mildred Wright Endowment Fund Scholarship valued at $20,000 over four years. She also was awarded the one-time Transylvania Excellence in Education / Excellence Award of $2,000. Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Muniz
In my hometown of Rosman, NC, one of the common pathways to a four year degree consists of obtaining an associates degree at a community college before transferring to a four year university. Although this would be more affordable, I have been diligently working towards being able to go straight to a four year university since my high school career began - not just on my grades, but by becoming increasingly involved in extracurricular activities. However, every club, sport, and class that I spend my time on is an activity that encapsulates certain aspects of who I am. As I move through college, I aspire to study abroad. I have been accepted to Appalachian State University, where I intend to join International Business classes along with my major to be able to study abroad by spring semester of my junior year. Once I graduate, I want to move to a larger city, working for corporations, and representing a company well. As a whole, the goal for my life is to be successful and content at the same time. I know that for me, going into business means diving into it fully - working at a large scale company, completing work internationally, creating advertisements that are seen by people everywhere. I have extensive goals, but I work diligently to achieve them and to lead the life that I wish for.
If you have questions, email Scholarship Officer Amber Harrelson-Williams or call at 828-367-9916
Browse through our full directory of scholarships.