DUBLIN — North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority recently selected Anna Long as a recipient of up to a $12,000 Golden LEAF Foundation Scholarship. Long is a recent graduate at East Bladen High School and plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Long is one of 215 students selected to receive a $3,000 scholarship each year for up to four years of study at a participating North Carolina college or university. Recipients from rural, economically-distressed North Carolina counties are selected based on career and educational goals, a review of school and community service activities, length of residence in the county and expressed intent to contribute to the state’s rural communities upon graduation from college.

The Golden LEAF Foundation created the Golden LEAF Scholarship program to broaden educational opportunities and provide support to students from rural counties hoping that after graduation recipients will provide leadership in these communities.

Students receiving Golden LEAF Scholarships are also eligible to participate in the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program. The optional program provides leadership training at the Center for Creative Leadership, paid internship opportunities in rural North Carolina communities, and stipends up to $8,830 (for four years of participation) in addition to Golden LEAF Scholarship funding.