Couch Oil Cares Scholarship: Empowering Futures Through Education and Athletics

The Couch Oil Cares Scholarship program, in partnership with organizations like the Durham Bulls and the Apex Cougar Club, aims to alleviate the financial burden of higher education for deserving students. These scholarships recognize not only academic achievements but also leadership qualities, community involvement, and the ability to overcome adversity. By investing in local students, the program seeks to foster a brighter future for individuals and the communities they serve.

Apex Cougar Club Scholarship in Partnership with Couch Oil Cares

For over four decades, the Apex Cougar Club has been a strong supporter of Apex High School's athletic programs. They recognize the significant impact that sports have on a student's academic and personal growth. The organization believes that athletic experiences are crucial for developing essential life skills and character.

Building upon a decade of providing scholarship support, the Apex Cougar Club continues its partnership with Couch Oil Company. Together, they offer two $1,500 scholarships annually-one for a male and one for a female senior. These scholarships acknowledge the importance of both academics and athletics in shaping well-rounded individuals. The 2026 Couch Oil Cares Scholarship application will open soon!

Couch Oil Cares Scholarship Program: Investing in Local Students

Central to Couch Oil Cares is the Couch Oil Cares Scholarship program. Since 2015, Couch Oil Company has teamed up with the Durham Bulls to offer scholarships to deserving high school students who reside in our service area. The 2026 Couch Oil Cares Scholarship application will open soon!

The Couch Oil Cares Scholarship Program is an effort to help local students with the costs of higher education. Again this year, Couch Oil is teaming up with the Durham Bulls to award scholarships to deserving individuals.

Eligibility Requirements for Couch Oil Cares Scholarship

To be eligible for the Couch Oil Cares Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria:

Residency: Applicants must be residents of Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Nash, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, and Wilson counties.
College Enrollment: Applicants must have been accepted to and registered as first-year college students for the 2026-2027 school year. This includes both four-year universities and community colleges.
Age Limit: Applicants must be no more than twenty-five (25) years of age at the time of the scholarship presentation.

Selection Process and Scholarship Presentation

The selection of scholarship recipients takes place in June 2026. The scholarship presentation is held at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, with the specific date to be announced (TBA).

A Look Back at the 2025 Awards Night

The 2025 Couch Oil Cares Scholarship winners exemplify the qualities the program seeks to support:

Lauren Godfrey
- High School: Harnett Central High School
- Intended College: NC State University
- Intended Major: Political Science
- Intended Minor: Business Administration
Jaden Sanders

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- High School: East Wake High School
- Intended College: Washington University in St. Louis

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

While the Couch Oil Cares Scholarship provides valuable assistance, numerous other scholarship programs are available to students seeking financial aid for college. These programs often have specific eligibility requirements and deadlines, so it's important to research and apply early. Here are a few examples:

National Scholarships

Horatio Alger National and State Scholarship Programs: This program provides scholarships ranging from $7,000 to $22,000 for students who demonstrate financial need, a commitment to completing a bachelor's degree, and perseverance in overcoming adversity. Applicants must be full-time high school seniors with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and be U.S. citizens.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship: This achievement-based scholarship recognizes graduating high school seniors who demonstrate leadership, service, and a commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Cooke College Scholarship Program: This program provides high-achieving students with financial need up to $40,000 a year for college.
SMART Scholarship of Service Program: The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion. Students must: Be a US citizen Be 18 by August 1, 2016 have at least a 3.0 Interested in working with the DoD in one of these areas
Burger King Scholars: BURGER KING℠ Scholars awards are awarded each year. The number of awards will be determined by the funds available and the number of applicants. Most scholarships are non-renewable awards of up to $1,000. Awards cannot exceed educational costs. The scholarships can be applied to tuition, fees or books required for course load at accredited, two- or four-year colleges/universities in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico (Note: Employees and employees' spouses or domestic partners may use awards to take enrichment courses at accredited institutions).

State and Local Scholarships (North Carolina)

Durham MLK Steering Committee Scholarship: This scholarship is open to graduating seniors in Durham, North Carolina. Applicants must submit an essay, high school transcript, college acceptance notification, and letters of recommendation.
The Kathrine R. Everett, Sallie Southall Cotten Scholarship: The Sallie Southall Cotten Scholarship shall be awarded by GFWC of North Carolina to an outstanding senior (male or female) in the top 25% of their class (rank 58 or less). This scholarship shall be $6,000 per year, for a total of $24,000. The runner-up shall receive the one time sum of $3,000, the second runner-up $2,000, and the remaining contestants shall receive $1,000 each, which shall be sent to their schools of choice.
Alpha Phi Alpha African American Male Scholarship: This scholarship is specifically for young African American men pursuing a four-year college degree.
North Carolina Hispanic College Fund: Candidate must be Hispanic, Latino, or Latina, and must have graduated from a North Carolina high school or approved GED program within the past 2 years.
N.C. Motherless Daughters Scholarship: This scholarship is open to North Carolina young women who have also had the unfortunate loss of their mother. There are two scholarships available for high school seniors. Each scholarship is revolving (up to four years) and is in the amount of $2,000 per semester.
ACS Scholars Program: H.S. Citizen for a minimum of one year; reside in Durham, Orange, or Wake counties for a minimum of one year; be eligible to receive NC resident tuition costs; attend a public state university or community college in NC and demonstrate the potential to succeed despite adversity as well as an exceptional desire to improve himself or herself through further education or training.
Nuestra Juventud: Univision 40's Scholarship Program recognizes the academic achievements and leadership qualities among Hispanic High School Seniors (12th grade) in the WUVC-Univision 40 viewing area. Eligibility: Candidates must be entering the 12th grade, must be applying to a college/university in the fall of 2016 and must be of Hispanic descent. Criteria: The winners will be chosen based on Leadership, Academic Achievement, Hardship and Character.

Scholarships with Specific Requirements

Golden Door Scholars: Golden Door Scholars provides scholarships for DACA students and scholarships for undocumented students. Students may be high school seniors or recent graduates. Preference will be given to high school graduates from states that require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition. Golden Door Scholars recipients who attend partner schools will receive funding to cover tuition (less other scholarships and small family contributions), room and board for a four-year degree. (Scholarship recipients who choose to attend non-partner schools will be funded on a case-by-case basis.) Golden Door Scholars will also have access to mentors, assistance in pursuing internships and other career-building opportunities.
Cognizant Making The Future Scholarship Program: The Cognizant Making the Future scholarship program recognizes today’s inspiration as tomorrow’s innovation. Cognizant is committed to preparing the next generation with the skills they will need to be active participants in an environment that will become increasingly dominated by technology. Making The Future is a design-based scholarship, and candidates will be required to submit video documentation of a hands-on project that illustrates both creativity and innovation. Students may submit a project for consideration if they are: citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States; pursuing a career in a STEM field; eligible to enroll or currently enrolled at a vocational-technical school or a two- or four-year accredited college or university, with a full course of undergraduate study; and in good academic standing with a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average. Scholarship recipients will earn $5,000 awards.
Wendy's High School Heisman: Students must be a graduating senior, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, participate in one of 43 sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee, and exhibit leadership.
US. Senate Youth Scholarship: The United States Senate Youth Program is a scholarship program that provides an educational opportunity for juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers in public service. Student delegates winning the $5,000 scholarship and attending the week-long event in Washington, D.C. in March will hear major policy addresses by Senators, cabinet members and directors from other federal agencies.
Morehead-Cain Scholarship (UNC-Chapel Hill): To be eligible for the Morehead-Cain, you must be a competitive applicant to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on track to graduate in the spring, unmarried and without children. Please note that Morehead-Cain candidates are not permitted to apply to other colleges or universities under a binding Early Decision application plan. To be considered for these scholarships, you must complete the Scholarship Competition application and be a prospective college freshman seeking first-time fall enrollment. You must also be accepted to the College prior to the competition. Students with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in a rigorous academic curriculum should consider applying for the scholarship competition.
UNC-CH The Global Gap: The Global Gap Year Fellowship at UNC Chapel Hill is a selective award given to high school graduates who have been admitted as a part of the university's Early Action deadline. The fellowship awards $7,500 for a minimum of six months abroad and up to a year of international service. Built on the unique concept of a self-designed gap year, fellows receive staff support and the freedom to pursue their own interests and passions. It is strongly recommended that students who may not otherwise have the opportunity or resources to travel abroad apply for this fellowship. Students must apply to UNC Chapel Hill by the Early Action deadline on October 15, 2015. The application for the Global Gap Year Fellowship will be available starting February 1, 2016 after Early Action applicants are admitted.
Roanoke College Scholarship Competition Awards (Roanoke College - Salem, VA): Through Roanoke College's Scholarship Competition, Roanoke College supports students of superior academic and leadership ability. To be considered for these scholarships, you must complete the Scholarship Competition application and be a prospective college freshman seeking first-time fall enrollment. You must also be accepted to the College prior to the competition. Students with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in a rigorous academic curriculum should consider applying for the scholarship competition.
John F Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay: Students are asked to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage. The maximum word count is 1,000 with a minimum of 700, not including citations and bibliography. Use at least five varied sources such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews to address the following topic: Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a United States elected official that took place during or after 1956. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern an issue at the local, state, national, or international level.
Lenoir-Rhyne Teaching Scholars: Lenoir-Rhyne University is proud to serve aspiring teachers through the Lenoir-Rhyne Teaching Scholars program. Prospective students are encouraged to apply immediately as space is limited. This is a highly competitive program and applicants should have a record of academic excellence and portray a deep desire to serve students through a career in teaching.
Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (JUNIORS AND SENIORS): Recruitment and Admission: Each year, LEDA finds and recruits approximately 100 LEDA Scholars. service personnel, Department of Defense, and Department of Corrections who choose to enroll in applicable Kaplan University online associate’s or bachelor’s degree programs. (Nursing candidates will require additional eligibility verification). To be eligible, applicants must have received their high school diploma by the application deadline. Current and prior Kaplan University students are not eligible.

Resources for Finding Scholarships

The Infinite Scholars Program: This program provides an opportunity to meet with colleges and universities about scholarship opportunities. Some colleges may accept students and notify them about scholarships on the spot.
Henry Wells Scholarship (Indiana University in Bloomington, IN): The Wells Scholar Program is looking for outstanding students who have shown exceptional academic accomplishment and promise, fine character and leadership, significant involvement in extracurricular activities, a concern for their communities, and interest in the larger world. According to IUB, past successful nominees have typically: Ranked in the top 5 percent of their class Compiled a GPA of 3.9 or higher on a 4.0 scale Scored 1400 or higher on the combined SAT Critical Reading and Mathematics tests, or 32 (composite) or higher on the ACT Shown a pattern of serious commitment to one or more activities outside of class. Award: Four year tuition and fees, plus an annual living expense stipend for 4 years of study; also eligible for a one time grant to support internships or research in summer.

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