AIC Scholastic Awards
During this 2023-2024 academic year, the UNC American Indian Center will be offering two monetary, scholastic awards for students that have demonstrated an interest in serving the North Carolina American Indian population. These awards are the Carolina Native Service Scholars Award (2 recipients), The Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Scholarship Award (1 recipient). In total, 3 UNC students will be awarded!
The deadline to apply for these awards is Monday, October 25, 2023. Each recipient will be featured in a spotlight article and posted on our website and social media pages to honor their accomplishments. Recipients will be announced in November, during American Indian Heritage Month.
Award details are provided below. Should you have questions, contact Native Student Engagement Coordinator – Qua Adkins at qua.lynch@unc.edu or 919-843-5928.
Carolina Service Scholars Award
Background: The Carolina Native Service Scholars Award will pay a portion of book and supply expenses for first-year Summer Bridge students who have demonstrated service and/or leadership in a NC Native community.
How to Apply: Applicants are must write a one-page single space essay (maximum) about their demonstrated service and/or leadership in a NC Native Community and upload it into the following qualtrics link: APPLY HERE – CSSA
Award Amount: This year, two undergraduate students will be awarded $750 each to be used towards books and related school supplies.
Commitment: Students receiving the award will be encouraged to work at least one year during their first two years on a service project at the American Indian Center where they will be exposed to professional development, leadership, and community engagement opportunities.
The Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award
Background: The Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award seeks to celebrate and honor the life of former Tar Heel, Faith Danielle Hedgepeth. Established in 2015, the award serves to support current Tar Heels along their academic journey while providing an avenue for impact outside the classroom though extracurricular engagement, as Faith did during her time on campus. Faith was involved in various student organizations such as the Carolina Indian Circle (CIC) as well as others. She was a cherished member of the Summer Bridge family and many other social circles. A central goal of Faith’s educational pursuits was to be better positioned to have a positive impact in her community upon completion of her present and future studies.
The Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award may be used towards books and related school supplies. Applicants should be a female, sophomore undergraduate student interested in pursuing a career in a helping or health profession serving American Indian populations. Interested students should also be able to demonstrate a record of service to the American Indian campus community.
How to Apply: Applicants are must write a one-page single space essay (maximum) about their demonstrated service and leadership in a NC Native community and how that has informed their academic and professional goals. Additionally, applicants must submit a resume demonstrating this service (e.g. tribal community engagement, Native student group involvement). Both the essay and the resume should be uploaded into the following qualtrics link: APPLY HERE – FDHA
Award Amount: One student will receive $1,000 to be used towards books and related school supplies.
If you would like to financially support this award, visit https://unc.live/faith.