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.
Anne Barnes Scholarship
$1000 one time scholarship for CHCCS graduating senior 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. Scholarship applications are available in the counseling office at each high school and should be returned electronically to psf@chccs.k12.nc.us by April 10.
The Austin Charles Rainey Memorial Scholarship
$1000 one time scholarship for 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 Physics 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 making an award in the amount of one-time $1,000 for a two to four year education. Eligible students must be a member of the graduating class of 2019 at Chapel Hill High School and have an interest in obtaining a degree in Athletic Training and/or Physical Therapy. Scholarship applications are available in the counseling office at each high school and should be returned electronically to psf@chccs.k12.nc.us by April 15.
AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination
Interested students should contact their AVID teachers
AVID targets students who show promise but may not have viewed themselves as enrolling in higher level course work in high school or as college students. This scholarship is for AVID participants and one scholarship recipient at each high school (CHS, CHHS and ECHHS) will be selected by that school’s AVID coordinator and/or AVID teachers. The one-time, $500 scholarship is payable to the post-secondary institution the student attends. Interested students should contact their AVID teachers.
The Deshera Mack Scholarship
$1000 one time scholarship for CHCCS graduating senior pursuing a career in the Education
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 graduation class of 2019 at any of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools High Schools. Eligible students must also have a minimum of 25 hours of volunteer experience. An interest in pursuing a degree and career in Education is required. Applications will be available in the CIC at each school. Please complete this application and submit it (along with a copy of your high school transcript) by April 15 to: The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation, P.O. Box 877, Carrboro, NC 27510.
Empowerment Scholarship
$2500 four year scholarship, if requirements are maintained, awarded to a CHCCS graduating woman
The Empowerment Scholarship is a four-year scholarship that will be awarded to one graduating female senior from either Carrboro High School, Chapel Hill High School or East Chapel Hill High School who is a member of and in good standing with either Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate (BRMA), Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), or Youth Leadership Institute (YLI). The scholarship application is available at high school counseling offices and must be received by April 10. Please send completed applications via email to: The Public School Foundation at psf@chccs.k12.nc.us.
Eligibility for the Empowerment Scholarship is based upon the following criteria:
(1) Successful completion of the requirements of graduation and a diploma from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School System. A student who is unable to graduate with her class, or who chooses to postpone post-secondary study, remains eligible for the scholarship funds; (2) Acceptance by and enrollment in an accredited four-year, post-secondary academic (not vocational) university, college or similar institution; (3) Good standing in the BRMA, AVID, or YLI Program at the time of graduation from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School System; (4) A weighted grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.75; and (5) Proven financial need.
The George Ann McCay EL Scholars
$1000 one time scholarship for CHCCS graduating senior who is or has been classified as an EL student
This scholarship fund was created to honor George Ann McCay, longtime Volunteer Specialist and EL Program Manager, for her service with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system as well as the community. George Ann, after almost 20 years of service in the district, and more than 30 years of service in the state, retired in June 2017. The Volunteers and Partners Office of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools 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 graduation class of 2019 at any of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools High Schools and have been classified as an EL student at some point in their CHCCS career. Eligible students must also have a minimum of 25 hours of volunteer experience. Applications will be available in the CIC at each school. Please complete this application and submit it (along with a copy of your high school transcript) by April 15 to: The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation, P.O. Box 877, Carrboro, NC 27510.
The Lincoln High School/Chapel Hill High School Joint Alumni Association Service Award
$1000 one time award for one black and one white CHCCS graduating senior who demonstrates a commitment to building an equitable society that is free of racial discrimination
Each year the Lincoln High School-Chapel Hill High School Joint Alumni Association awards $1,000 checks to two high school seniors who are working to build racial harmony in our community. Until the mid-‘60s, African-American and white students attended separate schools: Lincoln High for the African-American students and Chapel Hill High for the white students. Although the two schools were only a mile apart physically, they were worlds apart culturally. The LHS-CHHS Joint Alumni Association honors high school seniors who are working to bridge the cultural gaps between the African-American and white communities. The Award recipients, one African-American and one white, are building cross-cultural respect and understanding with their activities and projects. Recent award winners created a multicultural church orchestra, an after-school program, and a racial sensitivity training session for teachers. Scholarship applications are available in the counseling office at each high school and should be returned electronically to psf@chccs.k12.nc.us by April 10. To donate to this scholarship fund, go to: https://portal.icheckgateway.
New American Scholarship
$4000 two year scholarship for a CHCCS graduate who in a recent immigrant who needs financial assistance
The New American Scholarship is awarded to one graduating student from the CHCCS district who is a recent 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, this scholarship currently provides $4,000 for freshman year tuition and fees, and $4,000 for the subsequent years for a total of $8,000 for the selected student. The scholarship is payable to the post-secondary institution the student attends. Scholarship applications are available in the counseling office at each high school and should be returned via email to psf@chccs.k12.nc.us by April 10.
R.D. Smith Fund
$500 one time 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. Applications are sought and are awarded at senior awards days at the high schools. R.D. Smith Fund seeks to award $500 scholarships at each four high schools in CHCCS (Carrboro High School, Chapel Hill High School, East Chapel Hill High School and Phoenix Academy High School). Each candidate must complete the application, 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 are: financial need, academic standing, and student’s promise for the future. The deadline is April 10. Scholarship applications are available in the counseling office at each high school and should be returned via email to psf@chccs.k12.nc.us by April 10.
Tina Schmoock Opportunity Scholarship
$2000 one time award for current year graduates of Carrboro High School with financial need
Tina Schmoock Opportunity Scholarship is awarded to graduates of 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. Applications are available at Carrboro High School. Deadline: April 10. Please send completed applications via email to the Public School Foundation at psf@chccs.k12.nc.us.
Elizabeth Raney Vincent Fund for Foreign Language
$500 one time 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. The recipient will be selected by the foreign language teachers at Chapel Hill H.S.
David J. Thaden Award
$600 one time award for graduating senior of East Chapel Hill High
This fund was created to honor past East principal David J. Thaden
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.