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CALS Scholars

The CALS Scholars Program supports promising students with full-ride scholarship and professional development opportunities.

Scholarship Opportunities for Extraordinary Students

We are dedicated to bringing the best and brightest students who are passionate about agriculture and the life sciences to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The CALS Scholars Program is our commitment to serving students in North Carolina with the establishment of four-year scholarships awarded based on academic accomplishments, financial need and leadership potential.

Marsha K. Prestage Agricultural Scholarship

The Marsha K. Prestage Agricultural Scholarship Endowment awards one full-tuition scholarship every four years to an outstanding student with plans to major in production agriculture. Founded by Marsha K. Prestage, treasurer, and director of Prestage Farms, the endowment is designed to inspire outstanding students to pursue careers in production agriculture by relieving some of the burdens of the cost of higher education.

Jarvis Warren Family Animal Industry Scholarship Endowment

The Jarvis Warren Family Animal Industry Scholarship is a four-year scholarship awarded based on academic merit and financial need. The goal of the Jarvis Warren Family Scholarship Endowment is to bring outstanding undergraduate students who have a strong interest in swine or poultry programs to NC State.

Scholarship Details

The award will cover the full cost of tuition, room and board, books, fees and other related expenses per academic year and is renewable each year (up to four years) upon the student meeting specific criteria, including:

  • Continued financial need
  • A minimum GPA requirement
  • Study and graduation from a swine or poultry program

One incoming freshman student will receive an award every four years.

Selection Criteria

Priority consideration for the Jarvis Warren Scholarship is given to students with a demonstrated financial need who are residents of North Carolina.

The scholarship application process for the Jarvis Warren Scholarship is by invitation only. The CALS Scholarship and Awards committee determines who will receive an invitation to apply, and evaluates candidates on academic achievement and financial need (as determined by FAFSA).

Additional criteria to receive an invitation include:

  • Be a resident of North Carolina
  • Apply for admission to NC State University
  • Complete the CALS Scholarship Application

For an invitation, we encourage students to apply for admission to NC State by the October 15 Fall Early Action deadline.

A Family Affair

The Jarvis Warren Family Animal Industry Scholarship Endowment honors Mr. Jarvis Warren and his family’s dedicated service, numerous contributions and tireless work contributing to the growth and development of North Carolina’s poultry food industry.

Students with turkeys at the poultry treaching unit.

Ruby and Ernest McSwain Worthy Lands Trust Agricultural Scholarship Endowment

The Ruby and Ernest McSwain Worthy Lands Trust Agricultural Scholarship Endowment awards four-year scholarships to North Carolina students based on high academic merit and a desire to study in specific areas within CALS.

Scholarship Details

The McSwain Worthy Scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, room and board, books, fees and other related expenses for one academic year and is renewable each year (up to four years) upon the student meeting specific academic criteria.

One incoming freshman student will be awarded every four years.

Selection Criteria

While all qualified candidates from across North Carolina will be considered for the McSwain Worthy Scholarship, priority consideration will be given to students from Lee County, North Carolina.

Application for the McSwain Worthy Scholarship is by invitation only. The Scholarship Committee will invite undergraduate students with high academic merit and who meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Admitted to NC State University
  • North Carolina residents (priority consideration will be given to students from Lee County, North Carolina)
  • A minimum GPA requirement
  • Studying in one of the following areas:
Agricultural EducationAgricultural and Resource Economics
Animal ScienceBiological and Agricultural Engineering
Crop ScienceFood Science
Horticultural Science and Landscape DesignNutrition Science
Plant Biology (Botany)Poultry Science
Soil Science

The award is renewable up to four years if scholarship recipients meet specific academic criteria and continue to study in one of the designated CALS majors listed above.

A Legacy Endures

The McSwains’ philanthropy to NC State spans 20+ years. The Ruby C. McSwain Education Center at the JC Raulston Arboretum is named in Mrs. McSwain’s honor. In 1997, she donated 300 acres and a historic house to the NC Agricultural Foundation, Inc., which was renamed the Ernest and Ruby McSwain Extension Education and Agriculture Center.

Lee County Women in Ag Extension JJ Faulk CALS

Gordon Family Farm-to-Philanthropy Program

Dr. Joseph K. and Mrs. Deborah K. Gordon planted the seed for supporting the future of rural North Carolina students with their generous gift for the Gordon Family Farm-to-Philanthropy Program Endowment and Challenge. One important component of the endowment is the STEAM Spring Connection Scholarship, a full, four-year scholarship.

Scholarship Details

The award will cover the full cost of tuition, room and board, books, and fees per year for the student’s freshman (second semester) through senior years at NC State, after transfer to the university. The scholarship is renewable each year if the student meets specific academic criteria and scholarship requirements.

Selection Criteria

Consideration for the STEAM Spring Connection Scholarship is by invitation-only. To receive an invitation to apply for the scholarship, students must be accepted to NC State through the STEAM Spring Connection program.

Full STEAM Ahead

A portion of the gift from Dr. Joseph K. and Deborah Kapp Gordon supports the Farm to Philanthropy program to attract and retain North Carolina students. Students can graduate debt-free after completing the STEAM program.

Learn more  
Dr. and Mrs. Debbie Gordon with Gordon scholarship recipient Katelyn.

Connie and Durwood Laughinghouse Scholarship

red graduation caps with a tractor on top of one cap
The first Laughinghouse scholarship – covering full tuition, expenses and experiential learning for undergraduates studying agronomy – will be awarded in fall 2022.

Thanks to a generous gift from Connie and Durwood Laughinghouse, the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences will offer its first full-ride scholarship to students studying agronomy.

Scholarship Details

The full-ride scholarship will cover tuition and attendance expenses, and experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad, internships, research programs, and work-study.

Selection Criteria

Current NC State students and those transferring from another college or university are eligible. Preference will be given to students who are North Carolina residents who have a demonstrated farming background.

The first Laughinghouse scholarship will be awarded in fall 2022. The application period will open in fall 2021. High school seniors graduating in 2021 will be the first class eligible for the scholarship as they rise or transfer into NC State with sophomore status.

For more information, contact David Crouse, director of undergraduate programs.