instagram icon
search icon

Counselor Information

The following information has been compiled for High School Counselors, College Access Advisors, and other professionals who help high school students apply for the Golden LEAF Colleges and Universities Scholarship.

School Counselors and Advisors play an important role in preparing students for college. We often hear from Golden LEAF Scholar recipients that you are a significant mentor in sharing about our scholarship and others.

The Golden LEAF Scholarship isn’t a “one size fits all” opportunity. Golden LEAF strives to invest in students currently active in their rural community and those who intend to graduate and return to live in a rural North Carolina area. We encourage counselors to identify a select group of students who align with Golden LEAF’s mission of investing in rural to apply for our scholarship. Click through the profiles below to get a better understanding of the students we are seeking.

The Community-Minded Leader

Background

Born and raised in Mount Airy, Camryn has always been deeply connected to her community. Growing up in a family with a strong tradition of public service, Camryn developed a deep appreciation for the importance of giving back and making a positive impact. Witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by her community, Camryn has been inspired to pursue a career that will enable her to contribute to the collective community of her hometown.

Interests

Camryn has been actively involved in various extracurricular activities throughout her high school career. She has served as the vice president of Future Teachers of America and a member of the Key Club. Through these activities, Camryn has honed her leadership skills, developed a passion for education, and gained a deeper understanding of the issues facing her hometown.

Goals

Upon graduating from college, Camryn aspires to return to her hometown and pursue a career in middle school education. She is particularly interested in working with students with disabilities to address the widening educational gap.

The Rural Entrepreneur

Background

Growing up in Pembroke, Bryce has always been fascinated by the entrepreneurial spirit that permeates his community. Witnessing the ingenuity and resilience of local business owners, Bryce developed a strong desire to contribute to the economic growth and development of his hometown.

Interests

Bryce has been actively involved in various extracurricular activities throughout his high school career, with a particular focus on business and leadership. He has served as the treasurer of Future Business Leaders of America, where he has honed his skills in financial literacy, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Bryce has participated in other relevant extracurricular activities, including the school’s local youth entrepreneurship program.

Goals

Upon graduating from college, Bryce aspires to start his own lawn care service business. He is passionate about creating jobs, fostering economic growth, and improving the quality of life for his fellow citizens.

The Rural Revivalist

Background

Raised on a family farm in the heart of Gatesville, Maddison has developed a deep appreciation for the rural lifestyle and the challenges faced by agricultural communities. Witnessing firsthand the impact of changing market dynamics and environmental factors on local farmers, Maddison has been inspired to pursue a career that will enable her to contribute to the sustainability and prosperity of rural agriculture.

Interests

Maddison has been actively involved in various extracurricular activities throughout her high school career, with a particular focus on agriculture and leadership. She is a member of Future Farmers of America, where she has honed her skills in livestock management, crop production, and agricultural advocacy. Additionally, Maddison has participated in other relevant extracurricular activities, including 4-H and the school’s agricultural research club.

Goals

Upon graduating from college, Maddison aspires to return to her hometown and pursue a career in Agricultural Sciences with a focus on agricultural innovation and sustainability. She is particularly interested in developing new technologies and practices that can help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions, improve crop yields, and reduce their environmental impact.

Remember: These profiles are just examples. The Golden LEAF Scholarship is open to students from all backgrounds who demonstrate a commitment to their rural community and have the potential to make a positive impact. Encourage students who align with these profiles to apply and share information about the Golden LEAF Scholarship with them.

Printable Palm Card (English)
Printable Palm Card (Spanish)

What are the scholarship eligibility requirements?

Applicants must:

  • Be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes and reside in a qualifying rural North Carolina county,
  • Be a high school senior enrolling full-time in the fall as a first-year student or a currently enrolled community college transfer student enrolling full-time in the fall,
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5,
  • Plan to enroll in a participating North Carolina public or private college/university,
  • Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 15000 or less as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
  • Be able to communicate a commitment to returning to a rural North Carolina county after graduation.

How can I assist students in making sure they have a strong essay?

Make sure that students answer all components of the prompt:

  • Student identifies two or more ways they currently contribute to their rural community
  • Student identifies their intended college major
  • Student identifies two or more ways their major/career plans will help them contribute to a rural community after graduation
  • Have the student review the essay to check for grammatical and mechanical errors

Important Dates

  • Early January: Application opens
  • March 1st: Application, transcript, and FAFSA due
  • Early-May: Applicants will be notified of awards

Has a student at your school been awarded the Golden LEAF Scholarship?

The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) administers the Golden LEAF Scholarship on behalf of the Golden LEAF Foundation. Students must log into their NCSEAA MyPortal account to submit their award decision.

Please note that we do ask that counselors and students contact NCSEAA at [email protected] with all questions regarding acting on their award decision and MyPortal.

Because students are awarded our scholarship throughout the state, Golden LEAF does not attend award ceremonies in person. Instead, we host virtual Zoom calls for scholars to meet our President. We encourage you to work with your students to attend.

We would be glad to record a congratulatory video from our President upon request from the school. We ask for at least three business days’ notice before the video is needed. Those requests can be made below.

If you prefer a representative from your school to acknowledge your recipient(s), here is a written statement the representative may read to share about the award.

Check out more information on our FAQ page.

[email protected]

The Golden LEAF Scholarship was established by the Golden LEAF Foundation to provide opportunities for students from rural and economically distressed North Carolina communities to attend college. The four-year scholarship is valued at $14,000 and provides $3,500 per year for up to four years and is open to students from qualifying counties who are planning to attend a participating North Carolina college or university.

The recipient(s) of the Golden LEAF Scholarship at [High School name] is/are [scholar(s) name].

The Golden LEAF Scholarship is one of the many tools Golden LEAF has to help fulfill the purpose of growing the rural economy. The Foundation hopes that through this scholarship, [scholar(s) first name(s)] will be able to gain valuable knowledge and skills and come back to [his/her/their] hometown(s) or another rural area to help our communities prosper. We need students like [scholar(s) first name(s)] to help make our communities thrive. Congratulations from the Golden LEAF Board of Directors!