Scholarships

Cleveland Community College offers both merit and need based academic scholarships. In addition, several scholarships are offered for students studying specific fields. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for available scholarships.

Cleveland Community College Foundation Scholarships

Established in 1983, the Cleveland Community College Foundation’s mission is to build a strong development program to ensure quality education and financial stability for the College. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. All contributions to the Foundation are tax deductible as provided by law.

Scholarships offered through the Foundation are classified as endowed or annual. Only the interest earned on endowed gifts may be used by the College. Annual scholarships are awarded from contributions to the annual scholarship fund. Applications for Foundation scholarships are available through the guidance counselors’ offices of the four area high schools, and the Financial Aid Office of the College. Applications must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office by April 1.

Criteria for Foundation scholarship consideration: Foundation scholarships are open to all qualified residents of Cleveland County. Scholarship recipients are expected to be full-time students with financial need and/or academic promise. Selection is determined by the Scholarship Committee of the College based on applicant's good citizenship, interest, ability to succeed at the College level, and if appropriate, demonstrated need for financial support. Students wishing to obtain more information about scholarships should contact the Financial Aid Office. All recipients must write a 'Thank You' letter to the donor before scholarship funds are applied to the recipient's account.

Foundation Endowed Scholarships

The Ruth B. Anthony Memorial Scholarship provides annual scholarships for an Office Administration curriculum applicant. The scholarship was established by her employer, Fields Young, Jr. of Shelby, to honor her years of dedicated service.

The Hoyt and Anne Bailey Scholarship was established by Mr. Bailey, Chairman Emeritus of the College’s Board of Trustees in memory of his wife, Anne Dover Bailey. The scholarship is given with preference to a need-based student demonstrating academic achievement in an Allied Health curriculum program.

The John and Sally Barker Scholarship provides an annual scholarship for a student enrolled in any curriculum program. It was established by the Cleveland Community College Foundation Board of Directors to recognize the Barker’s many contributions to the community.

The Gene Borders Memorial Scholarship was established by his family in his memory. The scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Diploma Program. The scholarship is open to all Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration students, with preference given to students with families. Preference is also given to students demonstrating financial need and to employees of the Cleveland County Schools maintenance department.

The Severne Budd Academic Merit Scholarship was named by the Foundation’s Board of Directors to recognize Ms. Budd’s 20 years of service in the College’s Development Office. The award provides an annual scholarship for a student demonstrating strong academic achievement.

The Kay Chitty Memorial Scholarship was established by her family, friends and colleagues to honor her memory and recognize her years of dedication to Developmental Mathematics at Cleveland Community College. It is awarded to a full-time student pursuing an Associate Degree with a preference given to students who have successfully completed at least one Developmental Mathematics course. Additional preference is given to students having a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The Cleveland Community College Student Government Association Scholarship is awarded annually to a student in any curriculum program. The scholarship was established by the Student Government Association to support education in the community.

The Cleveland Community College Technical Education Scholarship is awarded annually to a student enrolled in a technical education program. The scholarship was established by business and industry representatives, and citizens of Cleveland County.

The Josh Ferree Memorial Scholarship was established by his family and friends in his memory. The annual award provides a scholarship for a student enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) and/or the Criminal Justice Certificate.

The Fraley Family Academic Merit Scholarships are awarded annually to two recent high school graduates from any of the four area high schools who have demonstrated academic excellence.

The John L. and Margaret S. Fraley Scholarship is awarded annually to a student enrolled in either a business curriculum or a technical education program. The scholarship was established by the Fraley Family of Cherryville to support education in the community.

The LeGrand Family Scholarship was established by local businessman, Stuart LeGrand. The scholarship provides an annual award for a student enrolled in any curriculum program.

The Margaret P. Goodman Scholarship was established by local businesswoman, Margaret Goodman. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student enrolled in any Vocational Diploma Program. Preference is given to a student showing financial need.

The James B. Petty Scholarship was established by students, family and friends to honor the College's first President (1965-1990). The scholarship provides an annual award for a student enrolled in any curriculum program.

The John Schenck Scholarship was established in honor of the longtime Chairman of the College's Board of Trustees. The scholarship provides an annual award for students enrolled in any curriculum program.

The Dr. William D. Simpson Memorial Scholarship provides an annual scholarship for a student enrolled in either the Practical Nursing or the Associate Degree Nursing Program. The scholarship was established by his wife, Mrs. Barbara Simpson of Shelby, in his memory.

The Thornburg/DeChant Endowed Scholarship was established by College President, Dr. L. Steve Thornburg and his wife Margaret (Peg) in honor of their parents. The award provides an annual scholarship for a student enrolled full-time in one of the following programs: Practical Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing, Computer-Integrated Machining, Welding Technology, Accounting, or Business Administration.

The Thornburg Endowed Scholarship was established by the second College President, Dr. L. Steve Thornburg, and his wife Margaret (Peg) to assist career oriented students. Any full-time students explaining their career goals in an essay are eligible for the scholarship. Any major is eligible, with preference given to students in a transfer program, Accounting, Associate Degree Nursing, Business Administration, Machining, Practical Nursing, and Welding.

The Joe Whisnant Memorial Scholarship provides an annual scholarship for a student enrolled in any curriculum program. It was established by his wife, Mrs. Lou Alice Whisnant, of Shelby, in his memory.

The Margaret B. and H. Fields Young III Scholarship was established by Margaret and Fields Young of Shelby. The scholarship is awarded with preference to a student enrolled in their second year of study at Cleveland Community College.

Annual Scholarship Awards

The Anonymous Firefighters Scholarship is awarded to a high school graduate that is enrolled full-time in any curriculum program of the College and is a relative of a firefighter. It is an annual award given by an anonymous donor established to support education in the community.

The Broadcasting and Production Technology Scholarship is awarded annually to a student enrolled full-time in the Broadcasting and Production Technology Program of the College. This is an annual scholarship established by Time Warner Cable of Shelby to support education in the community.

The Cleveland Community College Student Government Association Scholarships (4) are awarded to one graduate each from Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain, and Shelby High Schools enrolled in any curriculum program of the College. These are annual scholarships established by the Student Government Association to support education in the community.

The Edgar B. Hamilton Scholarships are awarded annually to a recent graduate of Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain and Shelby High School enrolled in any curriculum program of the College.