Outer Banks Awards Record $306K in College Scholarships

The Outer Banks Community Foundation wrapped up its biggest scholarship season ever, awarding $306,750 to students who might otherwise struggle to afford college.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, 129 scholarships went to 102 students across ten local schools, from traditional high schools to homeschool graduates. The awards came from more than 80 scholarship funds managed by the Foundation, each established by families, businesses, and organizations who wanted to invest in their community's future.

The impact reaches beyond just recent graduates. The Foundation is supporting 53 current college students with multi-year scholarships, plus three community members starting their educational journeys later in life.

The Ripple Effect

What makes this particularly special is who's getting help. Out of 102 recipients, 38% are first-generation college students, breaking new ground for their families.

Anita Lin knows that feeling firsthand. The 2023 graduate now studies at Columbia University with support from the renewable Gayle Grinstead Memorial Scholarship. "This scholarship helps alleviate financial stress and allows me to focus more fully on my education, personal growth, and future goals," she said.

The Foundation added 11 new scholarship funds this year, each with different priorities and eligibility requirements. From arts scholarships to memorial funds honoring community members, local donors are finding creative ways to support the next generation.

Ray Meiggs, who chairs the scholarship committee, sees the momentum building. "Each year, we receive more scholarship applications and simultaneously our fund establishers enable us to increase the awards, which is always incredibly inspiring," he said.

Creating a scholarship fund through the Foundation is surprisingly simple. Donors choose the scholarship name, eligibility criteria, and award amount while the Foundation handles all the paperwork, applications, and selections.

For students like Lin, these scholarships represent more than money. They're proof that someone believes in them enough to invest in their future, giving them the freedom to focus on learning instead of worrying about the next tuition bill.

Every scholarship awarded this year started with someone in the community deciding to make education more accessible for the next generation.