51ÁÔÆæ

Thanks to the generosity of our community members, students, employees, and 51ÁÔÆæ Foundation, 51ÁÔÆæ offers a variety of scholarships for our students.

Fall 2026 Scholarships will be open March 23 - August 28 (priority deadline is August 12).

How to Apply for Fall 2026

2. Apply for financial aid using the
3. Complete your
   1. Our system will automatically match you to scholarships you qualify for, making this process simple for our students.

Scholarship Types

Continuing Education

Several scholarships are available for students interested in workforce continuing education.  These scholarships may pay for tuition, fees, books, supplies and in some cases transportation and childcare. To apply for any of these scholarships, please complete the Continuing Education Scholarship Application.

 

Opportunities Include

Tools & Technology

Tools & Technology funds are set aside to specifically help students that need to purchase books, computers, or special kits or tools for their program.

Tools & Technology Application

Lavender Fund

51ÁÔÆæ cares about our students. We have designated funds available for students facing a financial need. With our Lavender Fund, if you are a first year-second semester or later student, you can apply for funds to help cover one-time emergency needs.

Typical funding needs that students request include:

• Transportation needs (public transportation, gas, etc.)
• Child Care
• Heating and utility assistance
• Housing
• Food and Hunger assistance

Apply Now

Submit completed form and invoice copies to hcc-scholarships@haywood.edu, or in person at 51ÁÔÆæ Foundation Office Balsam (110) Building, 185 Freedlander Dr., Clyde, NC 28721.

Bobcat Resiliency

For the Spring 2026 semester, 51ÁÔÆæ is offering the Bobcat Resiliency Grant. This grant is made possible through funding related to Hurricane Helene Relief funds. This is a grant that can cover your tuition and does not need to be repaid but funds are limited so we encourage you to apply early.

How To Apply:

1. Complete the
2. Complete the

Haywood Strong

The community is dedicated to support those impacted by the mill closure. From employees to households and local businesses, support is available!

51ÁÔÆæ has established a scholarship for 2023 mill employees. Haywood Strong offers financial assistance for those looking to return to the classroom.

How to Apply
1.
2. Complete Haywood Strong Application Haywood Strong Application
3. If you want to be eligible for other 51ÁÔÆæ Scholarships and Financial Aid, you must apply for financial aid using the and complete the 51ÁÔÆæ Scholarship application .
Our system will automatically match you to scholarships you qualify for, making this process simple for our students.

If you have questions about this scholarship, please reach out to: Hylah Birenbaum at hebirenbaum@haywood.edu or 828-627-4544.

Tuition Free Guarantee

The 51ÁÔÆæ Tuition Free Guarantee will pay for up to four semesters at the in-state tuition rate for any 2026 qualifying high school graduate (public, private, homeschool, or 51ÁÔÆæ High School Equivalency graduate) from Haywood County who does not obtain the full amount needed through federal financial aid (Pell and FSEOG), State (NCCCG, NCELS, NC Long Leaf) and/or any scholarships.  The guarantee will be applicable for up to two years (fall & spring semesters only) of enrollment as long as the student continues to meet our predefined criteria.

The 51ÁÔÆæ Tuition Free Guarantee will not cover program/course specific fees, out of state tuition costs, or books/materials.

​The guarantee is subject to approval from the scholarship committee and availability of funds.

If you have questions about this scholarship, please reach out to us at hcc-scholarships@haywood.edu.

In order to qualify for the Tuition Free Guarantee, students must complete the following steps before Friday, July 24, 2026 for the Fall 2026 semester.​

Initial Qualification Criteria for 51ÁÔÆæ’s Tuition Free Guarantee

1. Be a 2026 high school graduate from Haywood County (public, private, or homeschool) or 51ÁÔÆæ High School Equivalent graduate.
2. Hold a minimum high school GPA of 2.8.
3. Enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (full-time status) at 51ÁÔÆæ.
4. Each year students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Applications can be found at .
5. Annually complete the 51ÁÔÆæ scholarship application. This can be found at .
6. Meet with your 51ÁÔÆæ Success Coach prior to enrolling in courses. Have a question? Reach out to our team at hcc-advising@haywood.edu

Continued Qualification Criteria for 51ÁÔÆæ’s Tuition Free Guarantee

1. Each year students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Applications can be found at .
2. Maintain a GPA of 2.0 at 51ÁÔÆæ.
3. Continue enrollment of 12 credit hours per semester (fall & spring).
4. Complete the 51ÁÔÆæ scholarship application. This can be found at .

Pop and Marj Kelly Merit

The Pop and Marj Kelly Merit Scholarship is open to all students who will graduate in 2026 from Pisgah High School, Tuscola High School, Central Haywood High School, Bethel Christian Academy, Haywood Christian Academy, Shining Rock Classical Academy or Haywood County Homeschools. He/She must be planning to attend Haywood Community College and have a 3.5 or better GPA. There will be five $10,000 scholarships available. Selected recipients will be awarded $2,500 a semester for up to four semesters.

Eligibility Criteria

• 2026 High School Graduate of Pisgah High School, Tuscola High School, Central Haywood High School, Bethel Christian Academy, Haywood Christian Academy, Shining Rock Classical Academy or Haywood County Homeschools
  • 3.5 or better GPA (Unweighted)
• Have completed the 2026-2027 FAFSA
• Participation in extracurricular activities and involvement in community service
• Scholastic Achievement
• Financial Need

Submit your application by Friday April 3, 2026

Pop and Marj Kelly Merit Application

51ÁÔÆæ PIVOT

The 51ÁÔÆæ PIVOT is a scholarship that will pay towards tuition, fees, books and supplies for any student entering into a Certificate, Diploma or Associate’s degree within selected High Demand, High Skills, High Wages Fields who does not obtain the full amount needed through federal financial aid and/or scholarships. PIVOT will be applicable for up to NINE Semesters -awarded on a semester to semester basis (some programs have summer course requirements) of enrollment as long as the student continues to meet our predefined criteria (listed below).

Selected Programs: Automotive Systems Technology, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology, Computer-Integrated Machining, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Electrical Systems Technology, Industrial Systems, Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Medical Office Administration, Welding Technology, and Public Safety Administration.

The 51ÁÔÆæ PIVOT will cover specific program/courses for tuition, fees and books/supplies. Initial Qualification Criteria – Interested Students Must:

• Enroll in a selected High Demand, High Skill-Level, and High Pay Programs listed above.
• Enroll in a Minimum of 6 Credit Hours per Semester at 51ÁÔÆæ as required by program.
• Annually Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Annually Complete the 51ÁÔÆæ Scholarship Application
• Have a Career Planning Meeting with a High School Career Coach, the Dean of Transitional Studies and High School Partnerships or one of our Success Coaches before enrollment.

Continued Qualification Criteria for 51ÁÔÆæ’s PIVOT:

• Maintain a GPA of 2.0 at 51ÁÔÆæ.
• Continue enrollment of at least 6 credit hours per semester in selected program

(Scholarships subject to approval by Scholarship Committee and Availability of Funds)

Contact Us

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm

hcc-scholarships@haywood.edu