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General Application Information

Before Applying

Follow these four steps to ensure a smooth application process:

  1. Review Criteria: Check the eligibility rules for your specific program below.
  2. Gather Documents: Prepare required statements, proof of need, or recommendation letters.
  3. Select Your Form: Choose the correct online application (Scholarship, Grant, or Award).
  4. Submit in Full: Turn in all required items at once. Incomplete applications may delay or prevent review.

Important Funding Policies

  • Availability & Selection: Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding. Award amounts and selections depend on available funds, priority of need, and application volume.
  • 5-Year Grant Rule: Individuals who have previously received an NBCDC grant must wait 5 years before applying for another grant (unless an explicit program exception applies).
  • Review Schedule: Hardship requests are reviewed year-round as funds allow; academic and recognition awards follow designated evaluation cycles.

Application Deadline: Open Year-Round (Subject to Fund Availability)

Important Information

  • Scholarships, grants, and awards are subject to the availability of NBCDC funds.
  • Funding amounts and the number of recipients may vary based upon available resources, demonstrated need, program priorities, and the number of eligible applications received.
  • Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an award.
  • NBCDC reserves the right to request additional information or documentation when necessary to evaluate an application.
  • NBCDC may be unable to fund every eligible request.
  • Applicants should submit only one application for the same need unless instructed otherwise by NBCDC.
  • Individuals who have previously received an NBCDC grant are generally subject to a five-year waiting period before becoming eligible to receive another grant, unless NBCDC establishes an exception or a particular program provides otherwise.

Post-Submission

NBCDC will review submitted applications for completeness and eligibility. Applicants may be contacted if additional information or documentation is needed.

Applicants will be notified after a decision has been made. Because funding is limited, submission of a complete application and satisfaction of eligibility requirements do not guarantee approval.

Emergency or hardship assistance, including utility and rental assistance, may be reviewed throughout the year based upon demonstrated need and the availability of funds.

Scholarships and recognition awards may operate according to separately announced application, nomination, selection, and award periods.

How to apply: Complete Online Form

Scholarship Application Form – Apply Here

1. Maggie Lee John B. Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000 annually

Purpose:
Established in honor of Maggie Lee and John B. Henley, Sr., parents who were denied access to formal educational opportunities. This scholarship seeks to help first-generation college students pursue educational opportunities that previous generations of their families may not have had.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be a rising or graduating high school senior.
  • Must be a first-generation college student.
  • Must plan to attend an accredited two-year or four-year college or university.
  • Must demonstrate academic potential and a strong commitment to higher education.

For purposes of this scholarship, a first-generation college student is a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not completed a four-year college degree.

Required Documentation

  • Completed application.
  • Personal statement of approximately 500 words explaining how being a first-generation college student has influenced the applicant’s goals and what they hope to accomplish through higher education.
  • One letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, mentor, or other appropriate individual.
  • Proof of college acceptance, application, or documented intent to apply.

2. Golden Moments (Thelma Clifton-Benjamin Golden) Scholarship

Award Amount: $10,000 annually

Purpose:
To support first-time homebuyers in the community as they work toward achieving sustainable homeownership.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be a first-time homebuyer.
  • Must reside within the community or service area served by NBCDC.
  • Must be actively working toward purchasing a home.
  • Must be working with a licensed real estate professional and/or participating in the mortgage pre-approval process.
  • Must demonstrate financial readiness and a reasonable plan for achieving homeownership.

Required Documentation

  • Completed application.
  • Statement of intent of approximately 300–500 words explaining why homeownership is important to the applicant and/or family.
  • Documentation supporting first-time homebuyer status.
  • Documentation demonstrating progress toward homeownership, such as a mortgage pre-approval letter, lender documentation, realtor letter, purchase agreement, or other appropriate documentation.

Use of Funds

Approved funds may be used toward eligible home-purchase expenses approved by NBCDC, which may include down-payment assistance, closing costs, inspections, appraisals, or other approved expenses directly associated with purchasing a home.

3. Samuel Hicks & Blue Boy (Rickey Blue Daughtry) Scholarship

Samuel Hicks

Award Amount: $3,500 annually

Purpose:
Established in honor of Samuel Hicks and Rickey “Blue” Daughtry to recognize and support volunteer recreational coaches who give their time, leadership, and encouragement to positively impact young people through sports.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be an active volunteer coach at the recreational, youth, or community-sports level.
  • Must not receive a salary for coaching duties associated with the qualifying volunteer service.
  • Must demonstrate consistent service and a positive impact on youth through sports.

Required Documentation

  • Completed application.
  • One letter of recommendation from recreation staff, a parent, league official, community leader, or other appropriate individual familiar with the applicant’s service.
  • A statement of approximately 300 words describing the applicant’s passion for coaching, youth development, and community service.
  • Verification of coaching involvement, such as a team roster, program listing, photographs, letter from the recreational organization, or other appropriate documentation.

4. Evelyn Caldwell Scholarship

Evelyn Caldwell

Award Amount: $2,500 annually

Purpose:
Established in honor of Evelyn Caldwell to recognize individuals who faithfully serve in the music ministry of New Beginning Community Christian Church with humility, love, dependability, encouragement, and a spirit of unity.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be an active member of the choir or music ministry of New Beginning Community Christian Church.
  • Must demonstrate dependability, encouragement, humility, and support for others within the ministry.
  • Must demonstrate a spirit of unity and servant leadership.
  • Must be nominated by a peer or ministry leader.

Required Documentation

  • Completed nomination form.
  • Two written endorsements from choir/music ministry peers or ministry leadership.
  • A short reflection from the nominee concerning their service and role within the music ministry.

Grant Application Form – Apply Here

5. Pastor Rickey Breadie Widows Grant

Award Amount: $4,000 annually

Purpose:
To provide financial relief, practical assistance, and encouragement to widows in the community who are experiencing financial hardship or other significant unmet needs.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be a widow residing within the community or service area served by NBCDC.
  • Must demonstrate financial hardship, a specific unmet need, or circumstances for which financial assistance would provide meaningful support.

Community and/or church involvement may be considered but is not required to demonstrate eligibility.

Required Documentation

  • Completed application.
  • Brief personal statement describing the applicant’s circumstances and how assistance would help meet the identified need.
  • One reference or letter of support from a pastor, friend, community leader, or other individual familiar with the applicant’s circumstances.
  • Supporting documentation related to the identified financial need may be requested.

6. Utilities Support Grant

Award Amount: $4,000 annually

Purpose:
To assist eligible individuals and families experiencing financial hardship with essential utility expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must reside within the service area established by NBCDC.
  • Must demonstrate financial hardship and a need for utility assistance.

Required Documentation

  • Completed application.
  • Copy of the most recent applicable utility bill(s).
  • Brief explanation of the circumstances that have made it difficult to pay the utility expense.
  • Proof of income or documentation of other support services may be requested when necessary to evaluate the application.

When practical, NBCDC may make approved payments directly to the utility provider on behalf of the recipient.

Award Application Form – Apply Here

7. Rent Support Award

Award Amount: $4,000 annually

Purpose:
To assist eligible individuals and families experiencing rental hardship, housing instability, or the threat of eviction.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be experiencing rental hardship, housing insecurity, or the threat of eviction.
  • Must reside within the service area established by NBCDC.

Required Documentation

  • Completed application.
  • Current lease or rental agreement.
  • Documentation supporting the hardship or amount owed, when available.
  • Brief explanation of the applicant’s current housing circumstances and how NBCDC assistance would help maintain stable housing.

When practical, approved rental assistance may be paid directly to the landlord, property owner, or property management company after appropriate verification.

8. Feed the Hungry (Pastor Sterling White) Award

Award Amount: $4,000 annually

Purpose:
Established in honor of Pastor Sterling White to support and recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate a consistent commitment to feeding individuals and families experiencing hunger, food insecurity, or homelessness.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must be an individual, ministry, church, community group, or small organization actively involved in a feeding program, food pantry, meal distribution program, or similar hunger-relief effort.
  • Must demonstrate consistent service to individuals or families experiencing hunger, food insecurity, or homelessness.

Required Documentation

  • Completed application.
  • Description of the feeding program or initiative, approximately 300–500 words.
  • Photographs, program records, distribution records, or other reasonable documentation demonstrating the outreach.
  • One letter of support from a beneficiary, community partner, church leader, or other person familiar with the program.
  • Brief explanation of how the award funds will be used to strengthen or continue the feeding program or outreach.