ECA Scholarships for Orange County Youth and Adults
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You could win up to $1,050 for college!
The North Carolina Extension and Community Association (NCECA) has officially opened the application process for its yearly scholarships.
What is NCECA?
NCECA is a statewide volunteer organization that has been active for more than 100 years, partnering with N.C. Cooperative Extension, to promote health, education, and family well-being in communities across North Carolina. The organization focuses on making life better for individuals and families through learning and service. To learn more about ECA visit the Orange County ECA page.
The Scholarship
This scholarship could be used to pay for your degree’s expenses at ANY college or university in North Carolina, including community colleges. Priority goes to students planning to major in Family and Consumer Sciences and related fields. Other fields could include but are not limited to:
| Youth Development | Nutrition/Culinary Arts | Food Sciences |
| Family Life Education & Coaching | Child Development / Family Relations | Family and Consumer Sciences |
When you apply in Orange County, you are competing for two prizes at once! If you win the local $250 Orange County ECA scholarship, your application automatically moves forward to compete for the larger $800 NCECA State Scholarship.
Requirements:
- Eligibility: You must fit one of these groups: 1. A current High School Senior. 2. A current College Student (with no gap in education). 3. An Adult going back to school after a break.
- Location Requirement: You must currently attend a high school located in Orange County or an adult residing in the county, and plan to attend an accredited NC college, community college, or technical institute.
- Enrollment Status: You must be enrolled for at least: * Part-Time: at least 6 credit hours per semester. * Full-Time: at least 12 credit hours per semester.
- Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.
Application and Required Documents
Please use the following list to ensure your application is complete. All documents must be submitted together by the deadline.
Step 1: The Application Form
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Download, print, and complete the official application form: NCECA-Scholarship-Form
Step 2: Required Documents
You must submit the following three (3) documents along with your completed application form:
a. Academic Transcript
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High School Students: Ask your school counselor for an official, signed transcript. The school must seal it in an envelope.
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College Students: You only need to submit your College Transcript. Request an official copy to be mailed directly to the address below.
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Other Adults: You need to submit your high school transcript if this is your first year or College Transcript if you went to college before. Request an official copy to be mailed directly to the address below.
b. Impact Statement
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Format: Write a brief paragraph on a separate page.
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Content: Explain the value or impact that the Extension & Community Association (ECA), 4-H Youth Program, Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs, and/or N.C. Cooperative Extension has had on your life or your family’s life.
c. Letters of Reference
- Requirement: Submit three (3) letters of reference.
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Note: Each letter must be signed by the person writing the reference.
Step 3: Submission Details (Where to Send Transcripts & Application)
Bring or mail the completed application packet (Form, Impact Statement, Reference Letters) and the required transcript (if applicable) to:
N.C. Cooperative Extension Attn: Ivelisse Colón Bonnie B. Davis Center 1020 US-70 W. Suite 130 Hillsborough, NC 27278
(We are located across from the DMV office in Hillsborough. Use our full address to find it.)
What is Your Connection to North Carolina Cooperative Extension?
This is one of the questions in your application. If you or a family member have participated in any of these, you are connected to us in one way or the other:
| 4-H or FFA member | Participated in Central Piedmont Jr. Livestock Show | Family of Extension’s ECA member |
| Senior or Adult who was part of 4-H program | Child of or Adult local farmer/agribusiness served by Cooperative Extension | Child of participant or adult that participated in Extension’s FCS programs |
| Attended in 4-H residential or day camps | Participated in NC Youth Dairy Shows | Shown livestock in local circuits |
Ready to submit your application? Use our quick ECA Scholarship To-Do List to ensure your application is 100% complete!
Winners will be notified before the Fall Semester. To receive their check, winners must first provide proof of enrollment at your chosen NC college to NCECA.
For questions, please contact Ivelisse Colón, Family and Consumer Science Agent for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Orange County Center via email at ivelisse_colon@ncsu.edu or by phone at 919-245-2055.