NC People Helping People Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by State Employees’ Credit Union

Introduction
SECU Foundation created the People Helping People scholarship—a four-year award—to assist North Carolina public high school seniors with the cost of attending college. The Foundation actively supports communities across the state and upholds the People Helping People ideal. Each of North Carolina’s 115 Local Education Agencies (LEAs)/school districts will be allocated at least one scholarship for a graduating senior attending one of the University of North Carolina System’s 16 constituent campuses.

Program focus
While academic performance is considered, the People Helping People Scholarship primarily honors students who demonstrate leadership, integrity, and meaningful community involvement.

Eligibility
- Applicant must be a graduating senior from a North Carolina public high school.
- The student must either be a current member of State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) or be the child of a parent/guardian who is an SECU member at the time of application. (Membership through Local Government Federal Credit Union or NC Press Association Credit Union does not meet this requirement.)
- Applicant must have an acceptance letter to one of the 16 UNC System constituent campuses.
- Applicant must meet North Carolina residency for in-state tuition under NCGS 116-143.1.
- A minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required.
- Preference will be given to applicants from families employed in the public sector (state, local, federal government; public health; public education) and to students intending to major in public service fields (for example: Public Health, Education, Public Administration, Public Policy).

Selection criteria and process
All graduating seniors who meet the stated requirements may be considered. Each LEA will convene a Scholarship Selection Committee to identify the senior who best embodies the People Helping People philosophy—leadership, strong character, integrity, and community service. The committee will make selections without regard to race, sex, color, creed, religious preference, age, national origin, or disability. Submission of a FAFSA is not required but will be considered by the selection committee when financial need is relevant.

Award terms and renewal
- The scholarship is awarded for up to eight (8) consecutive semesters (four academic years) at the same UNC System campus, provided the student remains a full-time student in good academic standing.
- Scholarship payments are made at $1,250 per semester and are intended for tuition and fees for full-time enrollment.
- Recipients must maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA to continue receiving funds.
- Recipients are expected not to be the recipients of other substantial scholarships.
- Any interruption in consecutive enrollment will make the student ineligible for funding for semesters missed.

Transfers and appeals
- Scholarships are not transferable without prior written approval from SECU Foundation.
- Any request to transfer eligibility must be submitted in writing to SECU Foundation before the transfer occurs.
- A transfer to an institution outside the UNC System will end eligibility for the People Helping People scholarship.

Conflict of interest / ineligible applicants
The scholarship is not available to SECU or SECU Foundation directors, employees, or their family members, nor to family members of selection committee members. For this program, “family member” includes spouse; parents; siblings; children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; spouses of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and persons living in the same household and maintaining a single economic unit with a director, employee, or selection committee member. Reminder: to apply a student must still meet the SECU membership requirement described above.

Final decision
If all requirements have been met, the decision of the LEA Scholarship Selection Committee is final.

Additional information
Please consult the 2026 PHP FAQs for guidance about early graduation and other specific questions.