Wake Electric Offering $22,000 in College Scholarships for 2026

College plans can take many forms, from four-year universities to community colleges and technical programs, but for most students, cost is often the biggest hurdle. Wake Electric is helping ease that burden by offering college scholarships to local students pursuing higher education.

Each year, Wake Electric awards $22,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors and college students pursuing higher education. The scholarships are funded by the WECare Foundation, made possible by the generosity of Wake Electric members and employees who round up their electric bills to the nearest whole dollar.

The Fred M. Alford Memorial Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship awarded to one graduating high school senior. Applicants must be the child of an active Wake Electric member, be under the legal guardianship of an active Wake Electric member, or live in a home served by the cooperative. Eligible students must plan to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree at an accredited institution in North Carolina.

In addition, Wake Electric offers $1,250 scholarships to both graduating high school seniors and students already enrolled full-time at an eligible institution. These Wake Electric Scholarships may be used at a North Carolina college, university, community college, or technical or vocational school. Applicants must be the child of an active Wake Electric member, be under the legal guardianship of an active Wake Electric member, or live in a home served by the cooperative.

The deadline to apply for Wake Electric’s college scholarships is March 2, 2026. Full eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at wemc.com/scholarships.

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Wake Electric is a local, member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative providing reliable, safe, and affordable energy and related services to more than 58,500 members across Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance, and Wake counties. Founded in 1940, Wake Electric exists to serve its members and strengthen the communities it calls home through continued investment in reliability and innovation, energy education, youth and educator programs, community grants and scholarships, and advocacy on issues that impact its local membership. The cooperative is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors representing geographic districts throughout its service area, with directors elected at-large to rotating three-year terms at the cooperative’s annual meeting. Learn more at wemc.com.