Scholarships
Scholarship Information
A scholarship search is time-consuming and hard work. To begin a scholarship search, start with the college you are considering attending. Log on to the college's website and type in 'scholarships' on the college search engine. Or, you can find their Financial Aid Office website and browse for information there. The next step is to read the information and apply for the scholarships you meet the criteria for.
Another method of searching for scholarships is to go online and Google 'scholarships'. If you know the area you plan to major in, or the career you plan to complete, you can narrow your search by entering the career. You can also narrow your search further by putting in the state. Example: 'Nursing scholarships in North Carolina'.
The final place to search for scholarships are scholarship websites. Below are scholarship websites we recommend:
Attention parents:
Be wary of any company that charges a fee to locate scholarships or requests money to give your child a scholarship or honor.
Student Scholarship Newsletter: Each month, this scholarship newsletter is released and lists scholarships with deadlines in the upcoming month. Please click on the newsletter and review the scholarships.
Scholarships with Firm Deadlines
Disclaimer: Our school is pleased to share these scholarship opportunities for your awareness. Please note that we are not directly affiliated with the sponsoring organization. For additional details, questions, or application materials, we kindly encourage you to contact the scholarship provider directly.
The Coke Scholars Application: The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards 150 college scholarships to high school seniors. You must have a 3.0 GPA. There is no essay, letters of recommendation or transcript required.
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Application: Click here for the application
The "No Sweat" Scholarship: No income or GPA requirement. No long essay.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: September 30, 2025
Apply: Click here to apply
Voice of Democracy Scholarship: This is an audio essay competition open to students in grades 9-12.
Amount: Grand prize of $35,000
Deadline: October 31, 2025
Application: Click here for the application
Patriot's Pen Scholarship: This is an essay-writing competition.
Amount: Grand prize of $5,000
Deadline: October 31, 2025
Application: Click here for the application
Johnston Ziegler Safrit Youth Leadership Scholarship: This scholarship is open to seniors who will attend college after high school. Applicants are reviewed based on leadership, advocacy, and service. Factors such as GPA and test scores are not considered.
Amount: $10,00
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Application: Click here for the application
The Cirkled in "No Sweat" Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Application: Click here for the application
Silver Pen Writing Competition: Write a 1000 word essay
Amount: 1st place: $2,500; 2nd place: $1,250
Deadline: January 4, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
Monroe-Union Breakfast Rotary Club Scholarship: This scholarship is available to seniors at UCPS high schools and requires a two-party short essay.
Amount: Not specified
Deadline: January 9, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
Garden Club of Weddington Scholarship: This scholarship is open to seniors who plan to pursue a degree in horticulture or a related field.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: February 1, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
Weddington Optimist Club Essay Contest: Students will answer the prompt: "How my acts of service help me understand what my community means to me."
Amount: 1st place - $250; 2nd place - $150; 3rd place - $100
Deadline: February 13, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
Presidential 1776 Award: This contest is open to any student grades 9-12.
Amount: 1st place: $150,000; 2nd place: $75,000; 3rd place: $25,000
Deadline: You must register for the test between Feb. 1 - 22, 2026
Application: Click here to sign up for alerts and/or register for the test
SECU "People Helping People" Scholarship: This scholarship is available to seniors who are a member or whose parent is a member of SECU. Applicants must be attending one of the 16 UNC system schools as a full-time student. Applicants must have a 2.5 unweighted GPA. CATA will select two nominees and UCPS will select a winner and a runner-up.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Applications are due to Ms. Cole by March 1, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
NC Alpha Delta Kappa Student Achievement Scholarship: This scholarship is open to students pursuing an education degree.
Amount: Not specified
Deadline: March 3, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
Aubrey Moore Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is open to all Union County seniors who plan to attend a 2 or 4-year higher education institution in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027. Applicants must write a 1-2 page essay.
Amount: 5 x $2,000
Deadline: March 6, 2026 (essays due to Ms. Cole; ashley.cole@ucps.k12.nc.us)
Application: Click here for the application
Sweet Union Republican Women Americanism Essay Contest: This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 in Union County.
Amount: $500
Deadline: March 6, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
Agnes Liles Scholarship/Trust: This scholarship is awarded to Union County seniors every 4 years. This year, five students will be selected to receive the award.
Amount: $40,000
Deadline: March 27, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
Weddington Optimist Club Oratorical Contest: Students must speak about the topic: "The moment I realized I belonged - my definition of community."
Amount: 1st place: $2,500; 2nd place: $1,500; 3rd place: $1,000
Deadline: In-person contest is March 28, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest: This is a scholarship open to students in grades 9-12.
Amount: $500-$15,000
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
Annie B. Cherry Scholarship: This scholarship is open to Union County seniors who graduate with a 3.0 GPA and are attending an accredited college after graduation.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1, 2026
Application: Click here for the application
State Employees' Association of North Carolina Scholarship: This scholarship is open to students whose parent is a member of SEANC.
Amount: Not specified
Deadline: April 15, 2026
Application: Click here for the application