Student Scholarships for Future Teachers

The New Hanover County Board of Education believes that the future of quality education in New Hanover County lies in the hands of the future teachers of our students.

The Board of Education Student Scholarships for future teachers will award four scholarship loans of $7,000, specifically, $3,500 per semester, each year to an accredited North Carolina community college, college, or university of the recipient’s choice, for a total amount up to $28,000 per scholarship.

Application Deadline

April 15, 2024

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicants must be a senior in a New Hanover County public (non-charter) high school;
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of high school grades, class standing, essay (250-word minimum), community service, extracurricular activities, and references from teachers and members of the community;
Applicants must submit at least three reference letters, including one from a teacher, one from a community member, and one that highlights the applicant’s teaching abilities. Please do not include references from relatives;
Applicants must be accepted into, enrolled, or enrolling as a full-time student in an accredited North Carolina community college, college, or university of their choice in a teacher education program;
Scholarship recipients must achieve a minimum 2.5-grade point average each year and remain a student in good standing according to requirements and standards imposed by the college or university;
Scholarship recipients must obtain a North Carolina teaching license within four years of the initial scholarship; and
Recipients must teach full-time in New Hanover County Schools within 7 years of receiving a teaching license and teach for at least four years.

Failure to comply with these conditions shall require repayment of all scholarship funds awarded unless otherwise granted by the Board.

Faith Seamon - Wrightsboro Elementary

Scholarship Award Process

Recipients are selected through a rigorous selection process. Selection is made on the basis of grades, class standing, personal essay, community service, extracurricular activities and references from teachers and members of the community.

A rubric will be used to rank recipients.
The NHC Board of Education will use the findings of the ranking to select candidates to interview or they may choose to interview all of the candidates.

A formal letter will be sent inviting the recipients to a signing ceremony to accept the scholarship during the May Regular Meeting of the Board.

Application Process:

The Board of Education Student Scholarships for future teachers application process is comprised of five separate parts. Applicants are required to read and understand Board Policy 3445 before applying.

Step 1: Application Release Form

The Application Release Form must be signed by the applicant and the applicant’s parent if the applicant is a minor. The signed form will need to be submitted along with the reference letters by April 15, 2024

Step 2: Online Application

The online application must be completed in one session. Partial applications will not be considered.

The student must use their NHCS email address to access the application.

It is recommended that applicants type their essay responses in a Word document and transfer their responses to the online application.

Step 3: Reference Letters

Applicants must submit at least three reference letters, including one from a teacher, one from a community member, and one that highlights the applicant’s teaching abilities. Please do not include references from relatives.

Step 4: Submission Instructions

Completed applications, including three reference letters and a signed Application Release Form, must be received by the Board administrator no later than noon on April 15, 2024. Online applications will not be considered for the scholarships until all three parts have been received by the Board administrator.

Letters of recommendation and signed Application Release Form should be sent to:

New Hanover County Schools

Attn: Crystal Buie
6410 Carolina Beach Road
Wilmington, NC 28412

Scan and email: crystal.buie@nhcs.net

Questions? Please call Crystal Buie at (910) 254-4200.