About New Start

Grants & Scholarships

THE NEW START FUND
PROVIDES GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR WOMEN IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

GRANTS

New Start Grants typically provide needed support for a woman on her path toward greater self-sufficiency. These grants are intended to fill in when other short-term funding options are not available. Candidates are screened for eligibility by a social worker or case manager of a licensed social service agency, who then makes the referral to Womansong’s New Start committee. This one-time grant per individual is available for the amount of need up to $600.

Examples of grants that have been funded include:

Security deposits, rent and utilities
Purchase of Working Wheels vehicles when needed for education and/or employment
Transportation expenses when needed for education and/or employment
Tuition for classes that expand employment opportunities

To Apply for a Grant , go to Grant Application Guidelines

SCHOLARSHIPS

The First New Start Scholarship was awarded in 2009 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Since that time, we have extended our educational scholarships to include Blue Ridge Community College, and Haywood Community College.

Criteria for scholarships focus on encouraging women in Western North Carolina to obtain educational training leading to employment and greater self-sufficiency.
The number and amount of scholarships awarded each year to area community colleges are based on the donations received the previous year.

Scholarships we are pleased to fund for the 2022/23 school year:

One $2,000 Womansong New Start Scholarships at A-B-Tech Community College
Two $2,000 Womansong New Start Scholarships at Haywood Community College
One $2,000 Womansong New Start PIE (Parity in Education) Scholarship at Blue Ridge Community College

Scholarships we funded for the 2021/22 school year:

Four $2,000 Womansong New Start Scholarships at A-B-Tech Community College
Two $2,000 Womansong New Start Scholarships at Haywood Community College
Two $2,000 Womansong New Start Scholarships at Blue Ridge Community College
One $2,400 Womansong New Start PIE (Parity in Education) Scholarship at Blue Ridge Community College

In addition, funds are provided at all three of the colleges for women for GED Testing Fees

For Scholarship Information regarding eligibility, please contact the financial aid office at the community college of interest and inquire about the Womansong scholarships.

2022/23 NEW START SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS