Student Scholarships

The Public School Foundation is the fiscal agency that holds and manages several donor-advised college scholarship funds for students graduating in good standing from CHCCS. Student scholarships are provided by community members to assist with tuition and fees and are awarded to students after careful review and interviews by a selection committee. Questions regarding scholarship applications for Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate members should be directed to the BRMA program coordinator. Further information, eligibility requirements and applications are below.

Scholarship Applications are currently closed and will reopen for the class of 2026 on February 1, 2026.

*Though AI can be useful to help find words to express oneself and check grammar – when reviewing applications, the members of the scholarship selection committees will look for answers that reflect the applicant’s specific experiences and provide examples.

Anne Barnes Scholarship

$1000 scholarship for a graduating senior in the CHCCS school district pursuing a career in the Arts

This fund was created to honor Anne Craig Barnes when she retired from serving in the State House of Representatives. It began as a Student Enrichment Grant (SEG) in the cultural arts and was awarded twice in that capacity. The fund now supports a student scholarship for a graduating senior who is interested in the cultural arts. The Anne Craig Barnes Scholarship in the Arts is awarded to one graduating senior who has demonstrated ability, skill, and long-term interest in the arts, including, but not limited to music, dance, creative writing, film making, drama and other theater arts, painting, drawing, sculpting, photography and other visual arts — and who plans to pursue that interest after graduation. The one-time, $1,000 scholarship is payable to the post-secondary institution the student attends.

Anne Craig Barnes Scholarship Application

April Ross Student Athlete Scholarship

$500 scholarship for a student athlete from Carrboro High School

This scholarship fund was created to honor the athletic leadership excellence of Carrboro Athletic Director, April Ross who retired in 2023. While the sport championships and individual awards were outcomes of Coach Ross’s vision and consistent efforts toward goal achievement, her passion as Athletic Director was promoting positive relationships while enhancing leadership skills and opportunities for student-athletes, coaches, families, and athletic boosters. The April Ross Student Athlete Scholarship is a one-time award of $500 which may be used at a two year or four year institution. Eligible students must have participated on a Carrboro High School athletic team and plan to continue their sport in college, either as a varsity or club team athlete. 

April Ross Student Athlete Scholarship

Austin Charles Rainey Memorial Scholarship

$1000 scholarship for a Chapel Hill High graduating senior pursuing a career Physical Therapy or Athletic Training

This scholarship fund was created to honor the memory of Austin Rainey, a 2014 graduate of Chapel Hill High School, who passed away in 2016 while he was a college student at UNC-Charlotte. Austin was studying Physical Therapy with an emphasis on Athletic Training. He was the student manager for the UNC-Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball team. He had a passion for sports and supporting his favorite teams – as well as a passion for lifting up his fellow students, friends and all who knew him. The Austin Charles Rainey Memorial Scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000 for a two to four year education. Eligible students must be a member of the current year graduating class at Chapel Hill High School and have an interest in obtaining a degree in Athletic Training and/or Physical Therapy.

Austin Charles Rainey Memorial Scholarship Application

The Brogden Scholarship

$1,000 scholarship for an ECHHS female senior who plans to pursue post-secondary education in a STEM field

The Brogden Scholarship is a one-time award for one female ECHHS student who demonstrates interest and ability to study STEM in college. This scholarship has been created to honor Bob Brogden, a retired ECHHS teacher. Mr. Brogden was a pivotal teacher for thousands of students over the years. He helped students think and find their passion, and always supported the students in all aspects of life.

Scholarship – The Brogden Scholarship

Deshera Mack Scholarship

$1000 scholarship for a graduating senior in the CHCCS district

This scholarship fund was created to honor the memory and contributions of Deshera Mack. Ms. Mack served as an administrator in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) for 19 years, first as principal at Seawell Elementary and later opening Rashkis Elementary. She was named CHCCS Principal of the Year in 1996, 2001, and 2007. In 2007, she was named Piedmont Triad/Central Region Principal of the Year. She also served as the Principal Representative on the North Carolina State Board of Education. After retirement in 2011, Ms. Mack served in various interim administrative capacities with CHCCS. The Public School Foundation is awarding a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 for a two to four year education. Eligible students must be a member of the current year graduating class at any of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools High Schools. Eligible students must also have demonstrate meaningful volunteer experience. An interest in pursuing a degree and career in Education is preferred but not required.

Deshera Mack Scholarship Application

Elizabeth Raney Vincent Scholarship for Foreign Language

$500 award for a current year graduate of Chapel Hill High School 

The fund was created by Mr. Raney to honor his sister, Elizabeth Raney Vincent, who taught foreign language at the high school level in the district for many years. The award is presented to a Chapel Hill High School senior who has a high level of interest and competency in a second language. The award can be used for travel or additional education.  Students interested in applying for this award should talk to their Chapel Hill High School foreign language teacher. The recipient will be selected by the foreign language teachers at Chapel Hill H.S.

Elizabeth Raney Vincent Award for Excellence in Foreign Language Application

Empowerment Scholarship

$10,000 four year achievement based scholarship, if requirements are maintained, awarded to a CHCCS district student of color who identifies as a woman

The Empowerment Scholarship is an achievement based four-year scholarship that will be awarded to one graduating senior from either Carrboro High School, Chapel Hill High School or East Chapel Hill High School who identifies as a woman of color, has a weighted GPA of 3.75 or higher, and has been admitted to a four year accredited university or college. The scholarship is paid over four years in annual installments of $2,500.

Empowerment Scholarship Application

Hanna Award for Girls in STEM

$1,000 scholarship for a graduating senior in the CHCCS school district who identifies as female and plans to pursue a post-secondary education in STEM

The Hanna Award for Girls in STEM Scholarship was established to award $1,000 annually to a CHCCS senior who identifies as female and plans to pursue a post-secondary education in STEM. This award celebrates young women who dream to change the world using science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and it is named after a daring, bright engineer, Hanna, who is an inspiration every day. Priority will be given to students who would not be able to pursue further education without financial assistance.

Hanna Award for Girls in STEM Application

Jay Wilson Legacy Scholarship

$1,000 Scholarship for a graduating East Chapel Hill High School student. 

The administration and faculty lovingly formed the Jay Wilson Legacy Scholarship to preserve the memory of Jay Wilson, an outstanding teacher who gave his time and gifts selflessly to students and faculty, not just by being a phenomenal teacher but a mentor, tutor, and strong presence in the fabric of our school. This scholarship may be used to cover various college-related expenses, including tuition, books, technology, and housing for four-year institutions, community colleges, or trade schools.

**Only ECHHS students are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Students must be nominated by an ECHHS teacher to apply.

Scholarship – Jay Wilson Legacy Scholarship

Lombardo-Van Bourgondien Scholarship 

$2,500 scholarship for a graduating senior in the CHCCS school district who has had an IEP during high school

The Lombardo-Van Bourgondien Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 has been established to support post-secondary education for a student who, while in high school, receives resource assistance through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Lombardo–Van Bourgondien Scholarship Application

 New American Scholarship

$8000 scholarship for a graduating senior in the CHCCS school district who is a recent immigrant, who needs financial assistance

The New American Scholarship is awarded to one graduating student from the CHCCS district who is an immigrant to the United States and for whom financial assistance is necessary in order to fulfill their vision of a college education. Initiated in 2010 through the contributions of anonymous donors, the scholarship is paid to the post-secondary institution the student attends in equal installments of $4,000 over two years for a total of $8,000.

New American Scholarship Application

New Horizons & Opportunities Scholarship

(2) $2,000 scholarships for graduating seniors in the CHCCS school district

The New Horizons & Opportunity Scholarship will be a one-time $2,000 scholarship awarded to two graduating CHCCS students who plan to attend a Technical School or Community College to pursue a trade, technical field or healthcare field.

New Horizons and Opportunities Scholarship Application

R.D. Smith Scholarship

$500 award for students with strong academic standing and financial need

The fund was created by the Chapel Hill Firefighters Association to honor Mr. Smith and his lifetime of service to students as a teacher and school administrator and Chapel Hill Town Council member. The R.D. Smith Fund awards a $500 scholarship to a CHCCS graduating senior (s). Each candidate must complete the application below, have taken one or more CTE courses, and have been accepted into a technical school or college (the scholarship will go directly to the college). The criteria for this award include financial need, academic standing, and the student’s promise for the future.

R.D. Smith Scholarship Application

Spanish Dual Language Scholarship

$5000 scholarship for a graduating senior in the CHCCS school district who has participated in the CHCCS Spanish Dual Language Program

This scholarship was established to support a CHCCS senior who has participated in the Spanish Dual Language Program in both elementary and middle school. Financial need is required. The scholarship is paid to the recipient’s post-education institution over two years in annual installments of $2,500.

Spanish Dual Language Scholarship Application

Tina Schmoock Opportunity Scholarship

$2000 award for current year graduating seniors of Carrboro High School with financial need

Tina Schmoock Opportunity Scholarship is awarded to a graduating Senior at Carrboro High School in recognition of prior academic excellence, demonstrated leadership qualities, and outstanding intellectual promise. These scholarships are $2,000 each and proven financial need is required.

Tina Schmoock Opportunity Scholarship Application

Tony Yount Memorial Scholarship

$1,000 scholarship for a Chapel Hill High graduating senior who has been on the yearbook staff and or plans to pursue a degree in history, which includes political science and global studies

To honor Mr. Yount’s life, the Tony Yount Memorial Scholarship was established for the students of Chapel Hill High School. Mr. Yount shaped lives through his career as a history teacher, yearbook advisor and basketball coach. A $1,000 scholarship will be given for ten years, beginning in 2022, to support a CHHS senior to help fund their post-secondary education. Priority will be given to students who have been on the CHHS yearbook staff and/or are interested in pursuing a degree in history, including political science and global studies.

Tony Yount Memorial Scholarship Application

AVID Promise Scholarship 

This $2,000 scholarship is awarded to one AVID senior at each of the three traditional high schools in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

The AVID Promise Scholarship recognizes an AVID student who has demonstrated a pursuit of academic rigor and excellence, who shows a dedication to service both within the AVID program and in their community, and who has been accepted to and will attend an institution of higher learning after high school graduation.

Applicants will be reviewed by a committee at the school level, and then decisions will be made as to which student will receive the scholarship. Recipients must successfully complete high school graduation during their senior year, and select and finalize acceptance into an institution of higher learning in order to receive the scholarship funds should they be selected.

AVID Promise Scholarship Application

David J. Thaden Award

$600 award for a graduating senior of East Chapel Hill High

This scholarship fund honors David’s legacy with an annual gift to an East Chapel Hill High senior who best embodies his unique spirit: his love of learning and teaching, his contagious school spirit and enthusiastic support of athletics and the arts, his kindness and concern for all students, his desire to see all students achieve their full potential, and his innovative leadership which allowed full scope to teaching excellence and student success. 

Interested students should contact their counselor at East for more information about how to apply.

Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate Scholarship Opportunities

Students generally enroll into the Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate Program as fourth graders and are served until they graduate. Students who show promise and could benefit from an adult advocate/mentor are served. Students are nominated by teachers, staff or parents. It is the premier mentoring program of the district. College scholarships are provided for students in good standing with BRMA. PSF maintains the funds as a service to BRMA.

Interested students who are members of BRMA should contact the BRMA Program Coordinator to inquire about scholarship opportunities from the funds below.

BRMA — Haidt Foundation

This fund was created by former patent attorney Harold Haidt, his wife Elaine, and their children to provide college scholarships to students who enroll in the Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate (BRMA) Program and progress onto four-year colleges or universities.

BRMA — Sponsor-a-Scholar

This fund supports students selected for the Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate Program who need additional academic support or enrichment or who enroll in community colleges or technical schools.

Caroline Lindsay Student Advocacy Scholarship –  Deadline: March 29, 2024

Click here to apply

Caroline Hassinger Lindsay attended Sullins College, UNC-Chapel Hill, Union Theological
Seminary, and Columbia Teachers College. Caroline was a participant in the civil rights
movement and many political campaigns. She marched for peace and women’s rights.
Caroline was a fierce advocate for children and families as well as a caring parent and
friend. Caroline believed in focusing on the journey rather than the final outcome. She
was not afraid to use her social justice voice for the advancement of human rights.

If you received a BRMA Scholarship in a previous year and  need to request a subsequent year scholarship you must complete this scholarship payment request form.