HELP STUDENTS START THEIR JOURNEY
You already see the students who show up, help others and care about their communities. We would love to meet them and offer support.
$8,000 TOTAL
STANDARD AWARD
$12,000 TOTAL
PREMIER AWARD
APPLICATIONS OPEN
DECEMBER 15
3.0 GPA
MIN. TO APPLY
4 YEARS
OF SUPPORT
THE STUDENTS WE HOPE YOU NOTICE
The Journey Scholarship recognizes students across Western North Carolina who care about their communities and are finding ways to contribute. Their efforts may be highly visible or happen quietly, and they may not always think of themselves as leaders. As you work with students, please keep an eye out for those who:
✓ Take initiative and follow through
✓ Invest time in helping others
✓ Can balance responsibilities
✓ Care about the people and places around them
✓ Show academic potential and a desire to keep learning
Grape Creek Community Volunteers
HOW SCHOOL STAFF CAN HELP
SPOT THE POTENTIAL
Look for students who take initiative, follow through and make a difference in their school or community.
MAKE THE CONNECTION
Introduce students to the Journey Scholarship and help them identify their participating WNC Honors Community.
SUPPORT THE APPLICATION
Encourage students to apply, help them plan and remind them to submit all required materials by the deadline.
WAYS STUDENTS CAN CONTRIBUTE
Community involvement can include service projects, youth programs, cultural activities, environmental work, caregiving, fundraising and many other forms of contribution.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
✓ Graduating high school senior
✓ Minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA
✓ Planning to attend an accredited two or four-year college in the fall
✓ Live in a participating WNC Honors community or have an established connection to one
Not sure whether your student is connected to a WNC Honors community?
HOW TO APPLY
1. HELP THEM CONFIRM THEIR COMMUNITY
Help the student identify their participating WNC Honors community and ask a community officer to complete the Community Nomination Form.
2. ENCOURAGE THEM TO GATHER MATERIALS
Remind the student to request their transcript and recommendations early.
3. SUPPORT A THOUGHTFUL APPLICATION
Encourage the student to complete every section and take time with their personal essay.
4. HELP THEM STAY ON TRACK
Remind the student to submit by the deadline and confirm that materials sent by other people have also been received.
SCHOOL STAFF TOOLKIT
Download ready-to-use materials to introduce the Journey Scholarship, share key information and help students prepare to apply.
A printable flyer to display or share with students.
A compact handout to share with students
Ready-to-share slides for presentations.
Key information for school staff
REQUEST PRINTED MATERIALS
Need materials for your school? Complete this short form to request free Journey Scholarship flyers and rack cards.
2027 APPLICATION TIMELINE
DECEMBER 15: APPLICATION OPENS
MARCH 15: APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLY MAY: SCHOLARS ANNOUNCED
MID-MAY: SCHOLAR AWARD CELEBRATION
DECEMBER 15: APPLICATION OPENS
MARCH 15: APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLY MAY: SCHOLARS ANNOUNCED
MID-MAY: SCHOLAR AWARD CELEBRATION
HELP STUDENTS
FIND THEIR COMMUNITY
Across Western North Carolina, local community centers bring neighbors together to share resources, celebrate local traditions, support one another and respond to community needs.
The Journey Scholarship is rooted in WNC’s participating community centers. Applicants must live in or have an established connection to a participating WNC Honors community.
If a student is unsure which community they are connected to, send them our way. Not every area currently has an active WNC Honors community, but we can help determine whether there is one nearby. When there is a match, we can connect the student with the right people and explain how to get involved.
LET’S FIND YOUR COMMUNITY
Enter the student’s home address and any information you know about their community connection. We will help identify the participating WNC Honors community that may be the best fit.
