🎓 NCNA Educational Scholarship Program History

In 2023, the North Carolina Notary Association (NCNA) expanded its educational scholarship program from one to three scholarships:

• The Honorable Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall Scholarship – for Membership

• The Dennis “Bud” Cameron Memorial Scholarship – for Merit (renamed in 2025)

• The Jack and Ila Penny Memorial Scholarship – for Need (renamed in 2025)

In 2024, a fourth scholarship was introduced:

• The Presidential Scholarship – created in recognition of Judy B. Chapman, Founding Member and Inaugural President.

In 2025, a fifth scholarship was added:

• The Notary Instructor Scholarship – dedicated to honoring a past or present notary instructor.

Looking ahead to 2026, the NCNA will introduce its sixth scholarship:

• The Notary Trailblazer Scholarship – created in recognition of individuals who have made a lasting impact on the North Carolina notary community.

📌 Scholarship Categories:

1️⃣ Need-Based Scholarship – Supports students facing financial challenges, particularly those from large families, to help them achieve their academic goals.
2️⃣ Merit-Based Scholarship – Recognizes students who have demonstrated academic excellence (high GPA) and active community involvement.
3️⃣ Higher Education Scholarship – Reserved for NCNA members and their immediate families pursuing an advanced degree or a career change.
4️⃣ Presidential Scholarship – Selected by the scholarship’s honoree.
5️⃣ Notary Instructor Scholarship – Selected by the scholarship’s honoree.

6️⃣ Notary Trailblazer Scholarship – Selected by the scholarship’s honoree.​

📌 Eligibility & Application Details:

✔ NCNA members and their immediate families are eligible to apply for all six scholarships.
✔ The Honorable Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall Scholarship is exclusively reserved for NCNA members and their immediate families.
✔ The other five scholarships (Need-Based, Merit-Based, Presidential, Notary Instructor, and Notary Trailblazer) are open to anyone to apply.

✔ Each scholarship is for $500.00 and will be sent directly to the school for the upcoming fall semester.
✔ Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships if they meet the eligibility criteria.

✔ For more details on eligibility and requirements for each scholarship click here. 

✔ Application Open: October 1st, 2025
✔ Application Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST

✔ If awarded a scholarship you will be notified around the middle of April 2026 by email.

✔ If awarded please submit a headshot, video, and your student ID number as soon as possible. 

✔ All scholarships will be awarded to the selected recipients during the Annual Conference Meet & Greet in Raleigh, NC, on May 15, 2026. Attendance at the event is required to formally accept your scholarship.

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