WNC — The North Carolina Community Foundation has awarded scholarships to 110 students from 24 western North Carolina counties through its Disaster Relief and Resilience Scholarship.
The scholarship provides support for students whose ability to pay for college was adversely impacted by Hurricane Helene.
In total, the scholarship is projected to provide more than $1.3 million in support to students through 2029. More than $500,000 was awarded for the 2025–26 academic year alone and students will be eligible to renew the scholarship for subsequent years.
“These students have shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of significant challenges experienced after Hurricane Helene,” said Kathryn Holding, NCCF Vice President of Philanthropic Services. “We’re honored to help them stay on track toward their degrees and long-term goals.”
Scholarships were awarded to incoming first-year students, current undergraduates, and graduate students attending both two- and four-year colleges and universities.
Of the students awarded:
“I am deeply grateful for this support,” said scholarship recipient Anna Barnette, a Mars Hill resident who will attend Emmanuel University. “This scholarship relieves the financial strain on my family and enables me to pursue my education with peace of mind. It is a blessing I will never forget.”
The scholarship was available to students from Helene-impacted counties in western North Carolina and is renewable for eligible students who remain enrolled.
“This scholarship is especially meaningful because my family was affected tremendously by Hurricane Helene last year, which made our financial situation even harder,” said Jesus Ramos-Tellez, a Marion resident who is attending McDowell Technical Community College. “NCCF’s support brings real relief and hope during a time when it’s truly needed.”
Visit the NCCF website to learn more about Barnette, Ramos-Tellez and some of the other Disaster Relief and Resilience Scholarship recipients.
This fund was previously used to support students impacted by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence and may be activated again in response to future disasters at the discretion of the Grants Committee of NCCF’s statewide board.
About the North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in the state’s rural communities.
With $460 million in assets, NCCF sustains nearly 1,300 endowments and partners with donors and a network of affiliates in 60 counties to strengthen our state. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, NCCF makes a powerful impact through a robust grants and scholarships program, awarding over $300 million since 1988.
For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.
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