Golden LEAF Community College Scholarship Eligibility Guidelines

• To notify the colleges of their allocation of scholarship funds, including acceptable uses of the funds.
• To market and promote the scholarship and provide an annual student application to the colleges.
• To monitor the implementation of the program for compliance with program guidelines, including monitoring the scholarship awards made by colleges, transmitting funds to colleges, requesting funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation, and reporting to the Golden LEAF Foundation regarding scholarships awarded and project activities and outcomes.
• To notify colleges and provide a warning that failure to use at least 50% of allocated funds may result in a reduction in funding or suspension from participating in the program.
• To determine the timeline for reduction and reallocation of scholarship funds and notify colleges of the timeline and reallocations.
• To work closely with colleges and provide professional development and training opportunities to financial aid administrators.

• To announce and promote the Golden LEAF Community College Scholarship program to students.
• College financial aid or designated office will determine application procedures including deadlines for submission.
• Comply with scholarship guidelines, including awarding scholarships only to eligible students, in eligible amounts, and for eligible purposes.
• College financial aid or designated office will maintain student applications for curriculum and continuing education students.
• Perform monthly reconciliation practices with the Business Office to balance student award transmittals with college expenditures.
• Provide student directory information at the end of each term to match with college Business Office expenditures.
• Provide supporting documentation and/or proof of eligibility at the time of initial award if a student moves to a county that is not listed as a qualifying county according to the Golden LEAF Foundation.
• Award at least 25% of the college’s available allocation to CE students, with the balance available to CU students.
  • Note: a college may award more than 25% to CE students. The percentage breakdown can be found on the Golden LEAF Available Award Budget for the targeted year.
• Complete and return a signed statement of non-participation in the scholarship program, if the college chooses to opt out of the program. NCCCS will provide the form and deadline for submission. Colleges that do not choose to opt out are automatically included in the program.

• Eligible students must (1) be a North Carolina resident, (2) demonstrate financial need, and (3) reside in a qualifying Golden LEAF County (see Qualifying Counties list for 2022-2023). A scholarship recipient who resides in an eligible county upon initial award may retain eligibility and may be eligible for renewal awards if the student’s place of residence is within the state of North Carolina.
  • Note: The college may be asked to provide proof of the student's county of residency at the time of initial award.
• Eligible students may receive an award each year. Financial aid offices will determine their application procedures for making awards for subsequent terms and should consider whether students are making reasonable progress toward completing their course of study. Students must disclose all financial aid for award packaging to prevent an over-award. The Golden LEAF Community College Scholarship will not displace federal grants for which the student may be eligible. The scholarship may displace loans.

Curriculum Student Selection Criteria

Eligible students must:

1. Be a resident of North Carolina
2. Reside in a qualifying Golden LEAF county, (see Qualifying Counties list for 2022-2023).
3. Enrolled full-time to receive the maximum award, and
   1. Although scholarships may be awarded on an annual basis, the maximum award per semester is $1,125. Scholarships for students enrolled less than full-time may be prorated based on hours of enrollment and pending availability of funds. Enrollment in six credit hours is required in summer to be eligible for the scholarship.
4. Demonstrate financial need as determined by completion of the FAFSA.

Workforce Continuing Education Student Eligibility

Eligible students must:

1. Be a resident of North Carolina
2. Reside in a qualifying Golden LEAF County, (see Qualifying Counties list for 2022-2023).
3. Be enrolled in a Workforce Continuing Education (WCE) pathway/course offering at least 96 contact hours and leading to a state or industry-recognized credential, and
   1. Eligible course codes are included in the Combined Course Library and may consist of a single WCE course or a series of courses. The maximum award per semester is $925; and
4. Demonstrate financial need as determined by the college.

CU Scholarship Awarding Format Sample:

Colleges may select students to receive up to $2,250 in awards for the academic year. For example, a student may be awarded $1,000 in the fall, $1,000 in the spring, and $250 in the summer for a total of $2250.

Another example: a student may be awarded $1125 in the fall semester and $1125 in the spring semester for a total of $2250.

If a college awards the scholarship for the academic year and the student fails to enroll in an upcoming semester, the unexpended funds may be awarded to another student. For example, if a student is awarded $2,250 for the fall and spring, but enrolls for only halftime for the spring semester, the award may be prorated for the spring to $563. The remaining $562 may be awarded to another student.

For students enrolled less than full-time, the scholarship may be prorated based on the number of credit hours enrolled and pending the availability of funds.

Note: These are examples Only. Colleges may establish award strategies that meet the needs of the students and the institution subject to the maximum award amounts. Colleges may award scholarships for less than the maximum award amount.

CE Scholarship Awarding Format Sample:

Colleges may select students to receive up to $1850 and must award according to the curriculum semester(s) as set up in Colleague for fall, spring, and summer. For example, a student may be awarded $925 in the fall (based on a CU term beginning in August) and $925 in the spring (based on a CU term beginning or continuing in January) for continuing education students. If a course begins in December, the scholarship should be awarded in the fall semester.

Another example: a student may be awarded $625 in the fall (based on a CU term beginning in August), $625 in the spring (based on a CU term beginning or continuing in January), and $600 in the summer (based on a CU term that beginning or continuing in May) for a total of $1850 for continuing education students.

Note: These are examples Only. Colleges may establish award strategies that meet the needs of the students and the institution. Colleges may award scholarships for less than the maximum award amount.

• NCCCS will promote and market the scholarship among the local community colleges to help the students understand and recognize the mission of Golden LEAF.
• Students should complete the Golden LEAF Community College Scholarship application for the targeted academic year. Applications will be filed with the college financial aid offices, the Workforce Continuing Education department, or another office designated by the college.
• Timing for the selection process is determined by the award policies and procedures of each college. Financial aid offices will work with Workforce Continuing Education departments to determine the awards periods for those students.
• Applicants bear full responsibility for completing the Golden LEAF application prior to any deadline the college has established.
• Financial aid offices will disburse awards and collect media release forms regarding the scholarship recipients.
• Financial aid offices will provide a list of selected recipients including name, amount, address, county of residence, phone, and email to NCCCS.