North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority recently selected 215 winners as recipients of up to a $12,000 Golden LEAF Foundation Scholarship.

From Stanly County, Gray Stone graduate Lauren Bolton received a scholarship to attend Pfeiffer University.

Each of these students was selected to receive a $3,000 scholarship each year for up to four years of study at a participating North Carolina college or university.

Recipients from rural, economically-distressed North Carolina counties are selected based on career and educational goals, a review of school and community service activities, length of residence in the county and expressed intent to contribute to the state’s rural communities upon graduation from college.

The Golden LEAF Foundation created the Golden LEAF Scholarship program to broaden educational opportunities and provide support to students from rural counties hoping that after graduation recipients will provide leadership in these communities.

“Golden LEAF is pleased to announce that 215 new Golden LEAF scholars from rural North Carolina have been chosen, out of more than 2,400 applicants,” said Dan Gerlach, Golden LEAF president. “These hardworking and bright scholars have deep roots in their rural communities, and we are proud to support their education pursuits as they develop into North Carolina’s next generation of rural economic and community leaders.”

Students receiving Golden LEAF Scholarships are also eligible to participate in the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program.

The optional program provides leadership training at the Center for Creative Leadership, paid internship opportunities in rural North Carolina communities, and stipends up to $8,830 (for four years of participation) in addition to Golden LEAF Scholarship funding.

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to help transform North Carolina’s economy.

The Foundation receives a portion of North Carolina’s funds from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers and places emphasis on assisting tobacco-dependent, economically-distressed and/or rural communities across the state. The foundation has awarded 1,494 grants worth more than $749 million since its inception.

NCSEAA administers the program on behalf of the Golden LEAF Foundation.

Established in 1965, NCSEAA is the state agency that promotes access to higher education by administering financial aid and savings programs, informing students and families about paying for college, teaching educators about financial aid administration and advocating for resources to support students.