Dare County Students Get Renewable Scholarships for Life

The Dare Education Foundation just made college more affordable for students across North Carolina's Outer Banks by transforming its one-time scholarships into renewable awards that last throughout a student's entire educational journey.

Starting this year, scholarship recipients can receive continued financial support as long as they meet renewal requirements. The change covers students pursuing four-year degrees, two-year associate programs, and vocational training alike.

"By moving to renewable scholarships, we are strengthening our commitment to the students we serve," said Susan Rhew, chair of the foundation's board. "This approach allows us to invest more deeply in each recipient's academic journey and provide stability as they pursue their educational goals."

The foundation also partnered with the Outer Banks Community Foundation to streamline the entire application process. Students previously juggled multiple scholarship applications from different organizations, adding stress to an already overwhelming season.

Now one application opens doors to multiple funding sources. The Outer Banks Community Foundation handles the paperwork and platform, while the Dare Education Foundation maintains control over selecting recipients and ensuring awards align with community values.

"This partnership benefits students by reducing the stress of multiple applications," said Jason Waughtel, chair of the community foundation. Students can focus more energy on their studies and less on administrative hurdles.

The Ripple Effect

Multi-year scholarship support creates stability that one-time awards simply can't match. Students who know funding will continue can commit to internships instead of part-time jobs, focus on academics instead of constant financial aid applications, and graduate with less debt dragging down their future.

The partnership between two established foundations also demonstrates how community organizations can multiply their impact by combining strengths. Other regions struggling with education funding could follow this collaborative model.

Additional details about eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and renewal criteria will arrive in the coming weeks, giving students time to prepare strong applications for this enhanced program.

This is what investing in young people looks like when communities decide their success matters beyond freshman year.