ENTERPRISE STAFF REPORT

RANDOLPH COUNTY – A program of Communities In Schools of Randolph County has been awarded a community grant from Truliant Federal Credit Union, the nonprofit announced Tuesday.

The program, New Century Scholars, has received a $500 community mini-grant from the credit union. The award is one of 29 selected from 134 applications in the Truliant Federal Credit Union service areas in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

“The Truliant Community Mini-Grant program is designed to enhance financial operational support for nonprofit agencies that serve people in underserved communities where Truliant operates,” said Marjorie Rorie, Truliant Federal Credit Union director of community services.

Partnering with the Randolph Community College Foundation, the New Century Scholars program will provide scholarships for local students in Asheboro City and Randolph County schools at the end of the their sixth-grade year.

The scholarship covers two years of tuition and fees for a two-year degree at Randolph Community College and is targeted toward students who might not otherwise continue their education beyond high school. Communities In Schools officials say by choosing the students early on in their education career, parents can help prepare their children for college.

New Century Scholars is part of Communities In Schools of Randolph County’s ongoing program throughout the county to keep young people in school, help them successfully learn and prepare them for life.

“We are grateful to Truliant for their support of the New Century Scholars program, which is a locally funded initiative,” said Sandi Norman, Communities In Schools of Randolph County executive director. “CISRC and the RCC Foundation need for individuals, businesses and civic groups to sponsor a student. Sponsors can pay for the entire cost of one student’s education or give donations of any amount. Approximately $2,750 per student will be needed so that the funds can grow enough to pay for a two-year degree at RCC in six years. Less than $3,000 to give a student a college education is a heck of a deal.”

To qualify for the mini-grant, community and faith-based agencies had to impact one or more of the following areas: health or human services programs, youth, affordable housing, financial literacy and economic development.