CHAPEL HILL – Students will soon be able to apply for the Cheatham-White Scholarship, a newly established merit-based scholarship program for incoming freshmen attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University or North Carolina Central University beginning in the fall of 2018.
The program will provide an outstanding educational experience for students who are exceptional scholars, versatile and well-rounded individuals. Cheatham-White Scholars will represent students with a broad range of interests, proficient in areas of both the arts and sciences, demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to service. The state budget recently approved by the General Assembly provides funding for up to 20 Cheatham-White scholarships at each university.
The scholarships are named in honor of Henry Cheatham and George White, African Americans who represented North Carolina in Congress around the turn of the 20th century. Cheatham, an educator who founded an orphanage for black children, won election in 1888 and 1890. White, an attorney who studied at Howard University, won the same 2nd District seat in 1896 and 1898.
“The Cheatham-White Scholarship program recognizes future leaders with a strong commitment to public service by providing an opportunity to receive a top-notch education,” said UNC system president Margaret Spellings. “These scholarships also honor the legacy of great public servants like Henry Cheatham and George Henry White.
Each recipient is awarded a fully funded four-year scholarship that covers the cost of full tuition, student fees, housing, meals, textbooks, a laptop, supplies, travel, and personal expenses. Each scholarship also provides four summers of fully funded enrichment and networking opportunities that may include international travel and study.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for nomination as a potential Cheatham-White Scholarship candidate, a candidate must:
- Be a competitive applicant for admission as a freshman in the fall semester into a baccalaureate program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University or North Carolina Central University (in-state and out of state students are both eligible)
- Be a United States citizen or permanent resident
- Be on course to graduate from high school in the spring semester prior to college admission
- Minimum 4.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale cumulative GPA
- Minimum 1280 (new)/1200 (old) SAT or 28 ACT
- Show exceptional qualities of character and leadership
- Be significantly involved in extracurricular activities
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to service
Candidates for Cheatham-White Scholarships shall be selected on the basis of academic merit, honorable character, outstanding leadership potential, and a demonstrable commitment to service. Financial need shall not be a consideration.
Yearly renewal of the scholarship requires:
- Maintaining a 3.5 cumulative GPA annually
- Full time enrollment each semester
- Earning a minimum 30 credit hours each academic year
- Maintain membership and active participation in the University Honors Program
All North Carolina high schools are eligible to nominate students to be considered as a candidate(s) for the Cheatham-White Scholarship. Nomination packets are currently being mailed out to high schools now.
Application forms for the Cheatham-White Scholarship will be available online starting on September 1, 2017. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2017. Additional information about the program can be found online by visiting the websites for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University or North Carolina Central University.