The Gaston College Foundation, Inc. offers a variety of scholarships for Gaston College students. Donors of these scholarships (clubs, individuals, businesses, foundations, etc.) help determine what criteria are used in awarding them. The Scholarship Committee determines the recipients for those scholarships awarded by the College. Apply for Gaston College Scholarships.

In addition to the Gaston College Foundation scholarships, other scholarships are awarded to our students, some provided by the State of North Carolina and others by outside entities.

Other Scholarships

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Other Scholarships

There are numerous external organizations unaffiliated with Gaston College that offer scholarships. Some of these scholarships are based on academics, county of residence, field of study, need, etc. You should search and apply for these outside scholarships independently. Several websites have been listed below to help get you started in your quest. While the College tries to keep this list as updated as possible, these organizations may change amounts, requirements and links. You should verify all information prior to applying. Students should not have to pay money to fill out a scholarship application.

The application deadlines vary and may not match the deadline of the Gaston College Foundation Scholarships.

The Home Depot Path to Pro Scholarship $2500 by SkillPointe Foundation – Students pursuing construction-related careers like carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. Deadlines are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.
The Donohue Family SkillPointe Scholarship $2000 – Students pursuing vocational training and/or two-year degrees. Deadlines are March 31 (Round 1) or September 30 (Round 2).
The Pulte Build Your Future SkillPointe Scholarship $2500 – Students pursuing careers related to home-building. Deadline is April 30.
Gaston Co. ECA Memorial Scholarship 2024 – Deadline to apply March 15.
The Visionaries of Tomorrow Scholarship
Addictions Essay Contest – Up to $5750 Scholarships to be Awarded.
Military Members and Veterans
Military Spouse and Children
Point Foundation – The LGBTQ Scholarship Fund
Samuel M. Taylor Memorial Life Sciences Scholarship/NCBioNetwork.org – NC Residents need to complete the scholarship application and submit to The Financial Aid Office, 2nd Floor of the Myers Center, by Monday, July 25.
Pacific Medical Training Essay Contest – $1000 Scholarship for Healthcare Students
Nursing Scholarships for LGBTQ and Other Students
Scholarships for High School Senior Graduates
Nordson BUILDS Scholarships
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Scholarship – Deadline March 1
Richard Sheltra Memorial Foundation Scholarship – Deadline May 20
New Silver Scholarship – Deadline July 31
Financial Resources for Hispanics and Latinos
Imagine Dragons Origins Scholarship $2500 – Immigrants, Refugees, First-Generation Students
Beauty and Wellness Professionals Scholarship $2500
WiseGeek Multiple Scholarships 
The CE Shop Scholarship $1000
The “Save a Life” Scholarship for Healthcare and Education Students
Drew Lewis PC $1000 Scholarship
Pacific Bay Recovery $1500 Scholarship
Gaston Community Foundation
Scholarship Guide for Hispanic and Latino Students
PixelPlex $2000 Bi-Annual Stem Scholarship
The Financial Literacy Scholarship $2500
Andersen Nontraditional Scholarship for Women’s Education and Retraining (ANSWER)
College Avenue’s $1000 Monthly Scholarship Sweepstakes
Course Hero Scholarships
Early Childhood Education Scholarships
$2500 Rover Scholarship
African American
Hispanic & Latinx
Native American
Asian & Pacific Islander
Undocumented students
The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
United Negro College Fund
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarship
Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc.
College Foundation of NC Scholarship Wizard (CFNC)
Foundation for the Carolinas
The Community Foundation of Gaston Co., Inc
Gaston County Schools Online Scholarships
My College Options
Scholarship America
College Scholarships

The Golden Leaf (LEAF) Scholars Program – The LEAF grant will provide up to $2250 annually for curriculum students and up to $1850 annually for workforce continuing education students. The scholarships help cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies, credentialing tests, transportation, childcare and other components of the total cost of attendance for fall, spring, and summer semesters. Eligible students must be a North Carolina resident, demonstrate financial need and reside in a rural county that is tobacco dependent, or economically destressed, as determined ty the Golden LEAF Foundation. Complete the Golden Leaf Application and submit to the Financial Aid Office. The deadline for fall applications is December 1. The deadline for spring applications is May 1.

The William G. & Hazel Hardin Education Scholarship Deadline March 7, 2024.  For up to $750 per year. It is designed to provide financial assistance for graduating high school seniors, current college students full-time or part-time who are pursuing a degree in preschool, elementary or secondary education. For residents of Gaston, Randolph or Richmond counties. Based on character, academic achievement, financial need and desire to work with children. 

The Mesothelioma.com Scholarship This is a $4000 semester scholarship for those whose lives have been impacted by cancer.

State Employees Credit Union “People Helping People” Scholarship
The SECU Foundation established this two-year scholarship program, providing two scholarships to each North Carolina Community College. Recipients must be NC residents and US citizens with demonstrated need. Scholarship recipients in good academic standing may receive the scholarship up to a maximum of four (4) consecutive semesters. The deadline to apply is located at https://gaston.academicworks.com. Recipients are selected by the Gaston College Scholarship Committee.

The State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) Scholarship Foundation
Only SEANC members, in good standing, their spouses and/or dependent child(ren) and SEANC retired member’s, in good standing, grandchild(ren) are eligible to receive scholarships. There are three categories you may be eligible for:  Financial, Merit, and Member Only. 

Wells Fargo Technical Scholarship
This fund was established through a gift from Wells Fargo Bank to the NC Community College System.

To qualify as a candidate for this scholarship, a person must be full-time student enrolled in the second year of a two-year technical program, must demonstrate financial need and scholastic promise, and must use the scholarship to pay for books, tuition, and transportation. Students may apply online through https://gaston.academicworks.com. The recipient is selected by the Gaston College Scholarship Committee. The deadline to apply is located at https://gaston.academicworks.com.

Anthony Castelli Veteran’s College Scholarship Annual scholarship awarded to a current military veteran or honorably discharged veteran or parent, sibling, child or grandchild of a current or honorably discharged veteran.

Nordson Builds Scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 are available to students pursuing a major in manufacturing, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), or business disciplines.

Jagannathan Scholarships Deadline is located on the website. Residency restrictions apply and are only for schools in the UNC system.

The SuretyBonds.com Small Business Success Student Scholarship Program is open to students in every state.  Applications may only be submitted online. Each student must submit a 500 to 1,000-word essay about “How small business ownership (personal, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian) has shaped you into the person you are today.”