Lift Up Carolinas Scholarship Program

The Lift Up Carolinas Scholarship Program, established in 2002, supports graduating high school seniors and previous scholarship recipients as they pursue higher education. Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, financial need, and a demonstrated commitment to community service. The program offers two main tracks: scholarships of up to $16,000 for students attending one of the 17 campuses of the University of North Carolina System, and scholarships of up to $2,500 for students attending Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC). Recipients must be graduating seniors from Mecklenburg County high schools who are U.S. citizens. Previous scholarship recipients can apply for continued support based on continued academic achievement and community service. Since 2002, the program has awarded over $841,000 in scholarships. In 2024-2025 alone, 26 scholarships totaling $95,400 were awarded. Scholarships are made possible through grants, corporate and private donations, fundraising events, and proceeds from the Lift Up Carolinas Thrift Store.