Community Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications
UPDATE: Our scholarship application deadline has now passed. Unfortunately we cannot accept any applications, letters of recommendation, Student Aid Reports, or transcripts after the deadline. Scholarship winners will be announced to high school seniors at those schools’ Senior Awards Night in May and June. College students will be notified of their application status in late May or early June.
The Outer Banks Community Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications: CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE (link now disabled). The application deadline is 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 27.
The Community Foundation manages 45 scholarship programs and awarded more than $155,000 last year to over 90 local students. Graduating high school seniors, current college students, and adult continuing education candidates from Dare County, Currituck County, and Ocracoke are eligible to apply.
Scholarships range from one-time awards of $250, to four-year awards totaling $24,000.
“We have scholarships for a huge diversity of students,” said Lorelei Costa, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “Art majors, math majors, musicians, firefighters, tennis players, law enforcement majors, cheerleaders, community college students, vocational students, and more — all are encouraged to apply.”
Students can CLICK HERE (link now disabled) to begin an online application. Applicants begin the process by completing a short questionnaire, which quickly and easily directs them to the scholarships for which they’re eligible.
From there, students complete one common application, upload one transcript, submit any required essays, and apply for all Community Foundation scholarships for which they are eligible, all in one place. Teachers and community members can provide confidential recommendations online, without having to make multiple copies.
Though many of the Community Foundation’s scholarships are merit-based, the majority of awards consider financial need. For the need-based awards, students are required to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and upload the resulting Student Aid Report into their application.
“If I could give one tip to every applicant, it would be: Start early!” said Costa. “Please don’t wait until March 27 to begin your application. We have a strict deadline, and if you start too late, you might not get your recommendation letters and Student Aid Report in time.”
Scholarship funds have been generously donated from individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, and government agencies to help local students pursue higher education. Any community member can establish a scholarship fund with the Community Foundation by calling Lorelei Costa at 252-261-8839.
All scholarship winners will be announced at their schools’ Senior Awards Night in May and June.
