The State Employee’s Credit Union People Helping Scholarship application is now available. Please follow the steps below and review ALL the attached information – the application process is comprehensive, and all materials must be submitted in order for the application to be considered.

Step 1: Confirm you meet the SECU Scholarship Criteria

Step 2: Read the SECU FAQs 2026

Step 2: Confirm the school where you intend to enroll is part of the UNC System Institutions (also listed on the FAQ page)

Step 3: Ready to apply? Let Ms. Reising know (by email or Student Square/Parent Square) so that your name can be added to the applicant roster

Step 4: Complete ALL the application materials and submit the entire packet to Ms. Reising no later than 2:15 on March 2, 2026. SECU Application Process 2026

• Union Power is proud to invest in and support our communities by building future leaders and creating opportunities for students. To apply for the Union Power College Scholarship, the applicant must:

1. Be a child of a Union Power Cooperative member or live in a home served by Union Power Cooperative. 
2. Be a high school senior in the current graduating class.
3. Attend a North Carolina-accredited college or university. 
4. Meet the criteria of 40% need, 30% academic achievement, and 30% extracurricular activities in school, civic, and community functions.                                                                                                                                                                                            All applications must be submitted before March 1, 2025. Contact Emily Aldridge at 704-220-0703 or emily.aldridge@union-power.com with any questions. Details and application materials are available at Union Power Scholarships.

• The Florence Kidder Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by the Colonial Dames of America in North Carolina, will award scholarships of $3,000, $1,000, and $800, plus three fourth-place awards of $400 to North Carolina seniors to be used at any North Carolina college or university. Recipients are selected based on the merit of an essay on the assigned topic, plus character, scholastic record, and need. Information and application details can be found at Florence Kidder Memorial Scholarship. Applications are due no later than 11:59 pm on February 8, 2026.

• The UNCF Fidelity Scholars application is now available. This program is for students with an unweighted cumulative GPA of 2.5-3.59 who are Pell Grant eligible or demonstrate financial need. Click the link for more information, and scroll down for a one-page flyer with details on this excellent program. UNCF Fidelity Scholars Program
• Application for the Equitable Excellence Scholarship, sponsored by Equitable Financial Resources, is now available. Awards are $5,000 per year, renewable for four years. Awards can be used at either a four-year or two-year college in North Carolina. Recipients are selected on the basis of Financial Need; Leadership and participation in school and community activities, awards, and honors; Work experience; Unusual personal or family circumstances; and a personal statement* that demonstrates ambition and self-drive to give back to the community by encouraging other students to pursue post-secondary attainment. Click the link to be directed to the application and information page. Applications are due December 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM CT. Equitable Excellence Scholarship

• The Johnston Safrit Ziegler Youth Leadership Scholarship is accepting applications through December 1, 2025. This scholarship, worth $10,000, is awarded each year to a high school senior who has an impact on their community. GPA is not considered. Click this link for more information and to access the Johnston Safrit Ziegler Youth Leadership information and application:   A YouTube video is also available here: Johnston Safrit Ziegler Youth Leadership Award 

• Latin Americans Working for Achievement (LAWA) offers many scholarships for students of Latin American heritage, including GPAs 2.5 and higher and certificate/trade school programs. Scholarship applications will open in December, 2025. Click the link to access the LAWA website, and see the flyer and infographic below for more details! Latin Americans Working for Achievement
• Going Merry provides links to hundreds of scholarships. This month, multiple scholarships for Wake Forest University and population-specific scholarships are being featured. Click the link or scroll down on this page for the Going Merry QR code Going Merry

• Are you interested in a teaching career? The North Carolina Teaching Fellows program offers up to $5,000 per semester towards tuition and other expenses. Application is open from October 1 through January 31, 2026. Eligibilty, application, and program details are linked here: North Carolina Teaching Fellows
• Confused about the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)? You are not alone! Check out this article that summarizes the application process and contains links to many useful resources: Ed NC: What You Need to Know About FAFSA