CFBC Scholarship Program
Overview: The CFBC Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to individuals pursuing education through a variety of scholarship funds established by generous donors, including individuals, families, organizations, and corporations from the community.
Geographic Scope: Burke County, NC
Program Status: Application window for 2026–2027 cycle is now closed. Scholarship award notifications will be made no later than June 2026.
Contact Information:
Phone: (828) 437-7105Email: info@cfburkecounty.orgOffice: 123 North Sterling St, Morganton, NC 28655Mailing: PO Box 1156, Morganton, NC 28680
Individual Scholarship Funds Available
Adam Benson Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,000 or $500Awards: Up to three awardsEligibility: Senior graduating from high school or graduate already attending college; must be active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
Allen & Rexanna Lowman Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating Senior from Jimmy C. Draughn High School or East Burke High School planning to attend two or four-year college/university
Anita Wilson Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,725Awards: One awardEligibility: Pursuing degree in music performance or music education at four-year college/university
Azmi S. Jarrah Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating senior in Burke County or graduate already enrolled in college/graduate school; must demonstrate kindness, financial need, and strong work ethic
Barrett L. and Diana S. Crawford Scholarship Fund
Amount: $2,500Awards: Up to three awardsEligibility: Graduating senior in Burke County planning to attend UNC college; preference for Business or Pre-Law majors
Betty and Otto Woerner Endowed Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,250Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating senior in Burke County, currently attending graduate school, or currently enrolled in college; pursuing teaching, fashion design, or culinary arts
Clyde Nichols Young, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,250Awards: Up to two awardsEligibility: Graduating senior from Freedom High School pursuing degree in teaching
Cranford Scholarship Endowed Fund
Amount: One-time $4,875Awards: Eight total (four to East Burke HS, four to Jimmy C. Draughn HS)Eligibility: Graduating seniors from East Burke High School or Jimmy C. Draughn High School; Eastern Burke County resident (east of Morganton, NC); demonstrates financial need and academic ability/achievement
Crump - Pollpeter Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: Up to two awardsEligibility: Graduating senior or graduate student from Burke County; preference for elementary education or Christian ministry majors
Darren Wilson Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,250Awards: One awardEligibility: Preference for Freedom High School football player and/or former player enrolled in college; second preference to Freedom High School athlete
Deborah and Bruce Hershock Trades Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating seniors or students in workforce seeking trade training; must attend WPCC Regional Trades Solution Center
Drexel Alumni Association Fund
Amount: One-time $1,400Awards: Up to five awardsEligibility: Applicant and/or biological parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents attended Drexel School; graduating senior or enrolled in college
Erin's Memorial Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating senior or student enrolled in college from Burke County; enrolling/enrolled in North Carolina College/University or UNC System; demonstrates financial need and strong community involvement
Freddy G. Leger Memorial Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $2,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating senior from Jimmy C. Draughn High School or East Burke High School; majoring in Education or Nursing; demonstrates financial need
Glenn R. Yoder Scholarship Endowment Fund
Amount: One-time $1,250Awards: Up to two awardsEligibility: Student living in Burke County planning to attend two or four-year college; demonstrates financial need; character reflecting Lions Club commitment; minimum 2.5 GPA. High school seniors, college students, or others planning first-time college attendance eligible
Harris Family Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $2,000Awards: Multiple awardsEligibility: Graduating seniors from Jimmy C. Draughn High School enrolling in four-year North Carolina college/university including UNC System; greatest financial need
Jean B. and Frederick M. Riggs, Sr. Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,700Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating senior from Burke County or Burke Middle College attending four-year college/university; must demonstrate financial need and volunteer work
Jimmy C. Draughn Scholarship Endowment Fund
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating senior from East Burke High School; GPA 3.5 or higher
Keith Warren Black Educational Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,250Awards: Up to two awardsEligibility: Student entering or already attending WPCC; must be full-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress; minimum 2.5 GPA
Larry and Louise Huffman Scholarship Endowment Fund
Amount: One-time $2,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Student from East Burke High School, Jimmy C. Draughn High School, or Burke Middle College planning to major in education, athletic training, or educational roles (guidance counselor, school psychologist, speech pathologist)
Margaret Franklin Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,500Awards: Up to two awardsEligibility: Seniors or former students from Freedom High School and/or Robert L. Patton High School planning to major (or majoring) in Elementary Education
Martha and Ron Franklin Music Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,500Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating seniors from Burke County, Burke Middle College, or certified homeschool pursuing degree in Sacred Music, Music Performance, or Music Education; preference for Lenoir-Rhyne University music major and North Morganton United Methodist Church member
Mary Ellen Wiese Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Seniors graduating from Burke County Public School system with 2.5+ GPA; first generation college students; planning to attend two or four-year North Carolina college/university
Michael Williamson Eley Endowment Fund
Amount: One-time $1,500Awards: One awardEligibility: Burke County resident pursuing degree in engineering, math, physics, or chemistry; minimum 3.3 GPA
Mildred and Hugh Fletcher Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $1,250Awards: Up to two awardsEligibility: Financial need; must attend Freedom High School or Jimmy C. Draughn High School; involved in extracurricular activities and/or working while in school
Minnie Belle Rector Cooper Nursing Scholarship Fund
Amount: One-time $2,000Awards: Up to two awardsEligibility: Pursuing degree in nursing at Western Piedmont Community College or Caldwell Community College for ADON degree or RIBN Program (dual enrollment between Lenoir-Rhyne and WPCC)
Nathan Alan Williams Scholarship
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating senior from Robert L. Patton High School who was Patton baseball or athlete; or Burke Middle College athlete
Norvell Family Fund - Paul J. Koehnke Fine Arts Scholarship
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating seniors from Northwest School for the Arts or currently attending Central Piedmont Community College; pursuing degree in music, dance, visual arts, or theater
Raymond K. Miller Scholarship Endowment Fund
Amount: One-time $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Minimum 2.7 GPA; open to all majors; preference for industrial systems technology or civil, computer, electrical, mechatronic, or mechanical engineering
Robert A. "Bob" Shook Memorial Scholarship
Amount: One-time up to $1,300Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating senior from East Burke High School or Jimmy C. Draughn High School; or seniors from either school currently attending Burke Middle College; pursuing degree in education
Rotary Club of Morganton Scholarship Endowment Fund
Amount: One-time up to $1,500Awards: Up to three awardsEligibility: Graduating senior from Freedom High School or Patton High School; or seniors who attended Freedom or Patton and currently attend Burke Middle College
Ruth Bolick Christian Scholarship
Amount: One-time up to $1,500Awards: Multiple awardsEligibility: Graduating seniors from Burke County high schools, Burke Middle College, or certified homeschool; or enrolled in college/graduate school; minimum 3.0 GPA; must be current member of Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church in Rutherford College, NC
Smith-Nanney Scholarship Fund
Amount: $1,000Awards: Multiple awardsEligibility: Pursuing degree in science, math, engineering, nursing, or technical degree; preference for technical study and first-generation college students
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Miss Annie Avery Scholarship
Amount: $1,200Awards: One awardEligibility: Burke County resident, returning student or graduating senior; entering or enrolled in two or four-year college; must be enrolled in Business or Career programs, Trades/Building Construction, CNA, Medical Assistant, or Music
Steve and Nancy Gregory Scholarship
Amount: $1,000Awards: One awardEligibility: Graduating seniors with 3.0+ GPA planning to attend two or four-year college, majoring in business
Stiff Endowment Fund
Amount: $2,225Awards: Two awardsEligibility: Committed to pursuing four-year degree in nursing; must be Burke County resident or employed in Burke County