Financial Aid
Homegrown Teaching Scholars
Are you interested in becoming a teacher?
Do you live in Alexander or Catawba County, N.C.?
Are you willing to teach in your home county four of seven years after graduation?
If the answer to these questions is yes, the Homegrown Teaching Scholars Program may be for you!
Homegrown Teaching Scholars
- Eligible to qualify for preferred employment in home county upon graduation
- Participate in enrichment activities designed to develop top-notch educators
- Access support network during school career
- Receive financial assistance information (loan availability varies)
The Homegrown Teaching Scholars program was created to provide a local solution to the teacher shortage in Alexander and Catawba counties. The goal of the program is to recruit the "brightest and best" recent high school graduates and second career adult learners and help these students become outstanding teachers. These local teacher candidates not only receive a top-of-the-line education at CVCC, but also become active participants in the education process.
Upon graduation from CVCC, students transfer to regional four-year colleges or universities to complete four-year teacher licensure programs. Note: Many programs are offered at the Hickory-Metro Higher Education Center located 1 mile from CVCC on Highway 70 SE. Scholars are also eligible for a limited number of student loans (depending on availability). Scholars agree to teach in their home school systems for four out of seven years following graduation with a four-year degree in order to repay the loans.
Best of all, upon graduation with four-year teaching degrees, students are eligible to qualify for preferred employment in their home counties!
The program is a cooperative plan between CVCC, the Alexander County, Catawba County, Hickory Public and Newton-Conover City school systems. Initial funding for the Homegrown Teaching Scholars was provided by the Golden LEAF Foundation. Sustaining funding is made available by CVCC and the Alexander County, Catawba County, Hickory Public and Newton-Conover City Schools. The Unifour Foundation Inc. has generously provided funding in the past.
For more information, contact:
Dianne Little
Homegrown Teaching Scholars Program Director
828-327-7000, ext. 4411
dlittle@cvcc.edu
