AIC Scholastic Awards
The UNC American Indian Center offers scholastic awards to students who 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). Each recipient will be featured in a spotlight article and posted on our website and social media pages to honor their accomplishments.
In addition, the Center accepts applications under its Native UNC Research Awards on a rolling basis for undergraduate and graduate students seeking research funding.
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 400-500 words in a single-spaced essay about their demonstrated service and/or leadership in a NC Native Community. Apply here.
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.
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). 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 studies.
The Faith Danielle Hedgepeth Award may be used towards books and related school supplies. Applicants should be a sophomore undergraduate student interested in pursuing a career in a helping or health profession serving American Indian populations. Interested students should demonstrate a record of service to the American Indian campus community and/or express interest, experience, or commitment to gender violence prevention.
How to Apply: Applicants must write must write 400-500 words in a single-spaced essay about their demonstrated service and leadership in a NC Native community, and/or interest, experience, or commitment to gender violence prevention; 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). Apply here.
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.
Native UNC Research Awards
The American Indian Center offers research funding on a rolling basis to UNC faculty, graduate or undergraduate students to support tribally engaged research or research-related costs (e.g. data collection software, open access fees, findings dissemination, etc.). To apply, please complete this form.
Award Amount: UNC graduate students may apply for up to $1,500. UNC undergraduate students may apply for up to $750.
Should you have questions contact Native Student Engagement Coordinator – Qua Adkins at qua.lynch@unc.edu or 919-843-5928.