Scholarship Programs (Multiple Individual Scholarships)

CFBC Scholarship Program

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.

Contact Information:

• Phone: (828) 437-7105
• Email: info@cfburkecounty.org
• Office: 123 North Sterling St, Morganton, NC 28655
• Mailing: PO Box 1156, Morganton, NC 28680

Individual Scholarship Funds Available

Adam Benson Scholarship Fund

• Amount: One-time $1,000 or $500
• Awards: Up to three awards
• Eligibility: 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 $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,725
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: Pursuing degree in music performance or music education at four-year college/university

Azmi S. Jarrah Scholarship Fund

• Amount: One-time $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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: $2,500
• Awards: Up to three awards
• Eligibility: 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 $1,250
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,250
• Awards: Up to two awards
• Eligibility: Graduating senior from Freedom High School pursuing degree in teaching

Cranford Scholarship Endowed Fund

• Amount: One-time $4,875
• Awards: 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 $1,000
• Awards: Up to two awards
• Eligibility: Graduating senior or graduate student from Burke County; preference for elementary education or Christian ministry majors

Darren Wilson Scholarship Fund

• Amount: One-time $1,250
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: Graduating seniors or students in workforce seeking trade training; must attend WPCC Regional Trades Solution Center

Drexel Alumni Association Fund

• Amount: One-time $1,400
• Awards: Up to five awards
• Eligibility: 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 $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $2,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,250
• Awards: Up to two awards
• Eligibility: 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 $2,000
• Awards: Multiple awards
• Eligibility: 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 $1,700
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: Graduating senior from East Burke High School; GPA 3.5 or higher

Keith Warren Black Educational Scholarship Fund

• Amount: One-time $1,250
• Awards: Up to two awards
• Eligibility: 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 $2,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,500
• Awards: Up to two awards
• Eligibility: 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 $1,500
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,500
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: Burke County resident pursuing degree in engineering, math, physics, or chemistry; minimum 3.3 GPA

Mildred and Hugh Fletcher Scholarship Fund

• Amount: One-time $1,250
• Awards: Up to two awards
• Eligibility: 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 $2,000
• Awards: Up to two awards
• Eligibility: 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 $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,300
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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 $1,500
• Awards: Up to three awards
• Eligibility: 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 $1,500
• Awards: Multiple awards
• Eligibility: 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: $1,000
• Awards: Multiple awards
• Eligibility: 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: $1,200
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: 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: $1,000
• Awards: One award
• Eligibility: Graduating seniors with 3.0+ GPA planning to attend two or four-year college, majoring in business

Stiff Endowment Fund

• Amount: $2,225
• Awards: Two awards
• Eligibility: Committed to pursuing four-year degree in nursing; must be Burke County resident or employed in Burke County

Application Process

Application Window: Currently closed for 2026–2027 cycle (was due March 1, 2026)

Next Cycle: Applications typically open annually

How to Apply:

1. Access the Scholarship Portal at designated application period
2. Review Program and Eligibility Requirements
3. Submit application through the portal

Award Notifications: Made no later than June 2026

For More Information:
Contact the Foundation Office at (828) 437-7105