Scholarships
SECU Foundation established the “People Helping People®” scholarship program to assist students across North Carolina with their educational goals. Since being established, the “People Helping People” scholarship program represents an annual commitment of over $5 million, with a collective total of over $81 million since the initial scholarship funding began in 2005.
High School Scholarship Program
SECU Foundation established the People Helping People four-year scholarship program to help North Carolina public high school students attend college. Each of the 115 North Carolina Local Education Agencies (LEAs)/School Districts will receive a minimum of one scholarship valued at $10,000 payable at $1,250 per semester for up to eight consecutive semesters for a senior to attend one of the 16 constituent campuses of the University of North Carolina System.
Recipients of the scholarship will be selected by the LEA Scholarship Selection Committee provided they meet all eligibility criteria. Scholarship recipient information must be submitted by the Scholarship Selection Committee at each LEA. No individual applications are reviewed by the Foundation.
Speak with your high school guidance counselor for more information about applying, requirements, and deadlines.
Community College Scholarship Program
The SECU Foundation established a major scholarship program to assist students in each of the fifty-eight community colleges in the North Carolina Community College System. There are 116 two-year scholarships valued at up to $5,000 each. Each North Carolina community college will receive two scholarships, representing an annual financial commitment to the entire North Carolina community college system of up to $580,000.
Scholarship recipient information must be submitted by the Scholarship Selection Committee at each community college. No individual applications are reviewed by the Foundation.
Speak with your community college’s financial aid office for more information about applying, requirements, and deadlines.
Bridge to Career Program
The SECU Bridge to Career program is currently available to all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges and helps remove financial barriers for students seeking state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials that lead to sustainable wage careers within their communities. SECU Bridge to Career provides funding for $500 scholarships, to be awarded to up to 30 eligible students at each of the 58 NC Community College campuses. The SECU Bridge to Career program has supported community college workforce development and continuing education students across North Carolina since 2018.
SECU Bridge to Career Program focuses on assisting unemployed and underemployed adults, military veterans, and members of the National Guard with marketable job skills that lead to sustainable wage careers within their communities. Scholarship recipients must be enrolled in a program that leads to a state-recognized or industry-supported credential, as identified by the NC Workforce Credentials Advisory Council.
Speak with the Workforce Development and Continuing Education Department at your local NC Community College for more information about applying, requirements, and deadlines.