Scholarship Funds

 
 

Spring 2023

The following scholarship funds are available to DPS Students.

The Durham Promise Fund - All DPS Students

  • Award amount: $3,000

  • Eligibility: all graduating DPS seniors, 2.5 GPA

  • Description: The Durham Promise is a community-funded scholarship program based on the belief that every DPS student deserves a debt-free college education. All students who apply for a scholarship through DPS Foundation are automatically entered into consideration for a Durham Promise award. The Durham Promise will be awarded to a graduating senior in each traditional senior high school in the Durham Public Schools System in the amount of $3,000. Eligible students must be graduating seniors who expect to enroll in a post-secondary institution in the fall. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required.

Andrew Edward Crabtree Scholarship - Riverside Students

  • Award amount: $5,000

  • Eligibility: graduating seniors at Riverside High School, 2.75 GPA, passion and participation in drama/choral music/history/creative writing

  • Description: Friends and family of Andrew Crabtree have established The Andrew Edward Crabtree Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is available to graduating seniors at Riverside High School in the amount of $5,000. Eligible students should demonstrate a strong and significant interest, proficiency, passion and participation in drama, choral music, history, or creative writing. A minimum 2.75 GPA is required. 

Christopher Furr Scholarship - Northern High School Students

  • Award amount: $1,000

  • Eligibility: graduating seniors at Northern High School, 2.5 GPA, acceptance into an accredited college or university

  • Description: Friends and family established the Christopher Furr Scholarship to honor his memory in 1987. The applicant must be a graduating senior from Northern High School who has demonstrated citizenship and responsibility in the school and community and been involved in extra-curricular activities. Requires 2.5 GPA and acceptance into an accredited college or university.

City of Medicine Academy Scholarship - CMA Students

  • Award amount: one (1) scholarship of $1,000 and one (1) scholarship of $500

  • Eligibility: graduating seniors at City of Medicine Academy, 2.75 GPA, acceptance into an accredited college

  • Description: In 2009 the City of Medicine Academy Scholarship was established from a grant from the Durham Chamber of Commerce for seniors graduating from the Academy. 

First Generation Scholarship - All DPS Students

  • Award amount: $1,000 (non-renewable)

  • Eligibility: all graduating first generation DPS seniors, 2.5 GPA, acceptance into an accredited college or university

  • The First Generation Scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000 to one DPS senior who meets the “first generation” college student criterion (the student is the first in their family to attend college). 

John T. Smith Memorial Scholarship - Southern School of Energy and Sustainability Students

  • Award amount: $1,000

  • Eligibility: graduating seniors at the Southern School of Energy and Sustainability, 2.5 GPA, demonstrated academic and leadership qualities

  • Description: In 1988, former Southern High School students established the John T. Smith Memorial Scholarship to honor the impact that he made in the lives of his students.

Kayla P. Radack Scholarship - Riverside High School

  • Award amount: Three (3) scholarships of $4,000 (renewable: $1,000 for four [4] years)

  • Eligibility: graduating seniors at Riverside High School, 2.75 GPA, acceptance into an accredited college, demonstrated academic and leadership qualities

  • Description: In 2004, Pat and Amy Radack established the Kayla P. Radack Endowed Scholarship in memory of their daughter. Through this scholarship, they hope to help many future female students fulfill their dreams and promise. Priority will be given to female graduating seniors.

Norma Russell Scholarship - Northern High School Students

  • Award amount: $1,000

  • Eligibility: graduating seniors at Northern High School, 2.5 GPA, acceptance into an accredited college, demonstrated citizenship and responsibility in school and community, involvement in extracurricular activities

  • Description: Each year, Northern High School awards the Norma Russell Memorial Scholarship in memory of Norma, who was an NHS student. Norma gained the respect and admiration of her peers and teachers through her warm and friendly personality and her active involvement in the school and community. Friends and family established the scholarship to honor her memory in 1986.

Rachel Lawrence Scholarship - All DPS Students

  • Award amount: $3,000

  • Eligibility: all graduating DPS seniors from a traditional high school, 3.0 GPA, acceptance into an accredited college, demonstrated leadership and volunteer service

  • Description: In 1993, the Rachel Lawrence Scholarship fund was established in honor of Mrs. Lawrence’s many years of service in the promotion of parent involvement. The scholarship is to be awarded to one senior from a traditional high school in the Durham Public Schools System.

Thank-You

The Dorothy Heatherington Memorial Scholarship has folded into the Durham Promise Fund. The family of Dorothy Heatherington established this scholarship in her memory in 2012. Mrs. Heatherington moved to Durham in 1975 and became an integral part of the community. She was an active member of the League of Women Voters of Durham, volunteered with the Durham Police Department, and worked for Duke University in various positions. She was an advocate of education for all students and encouraged everyone to pursue their dreams. She was a life-long learner, who finished college in her forties and was an inspiration to all who knew her.

The Baxter and Beth Teasley Memorial Scholarship has folded into the Durham Promise Fund. In the fall of 2006, Alan B. Teasley established this $3,000 scholarship in loving memory of his parents. The scholarship was available to all DPS graduating seniors who met the “first generation” college student criterion. We would like to acknowledge and thank Alan for his many years supporting the educational success of DPS students through this scholarship.

The Dale Laree Stone Scholarship is no longer administered through the DPS Foundation. We would like to extend our thanks to the Stone family and look forward to seeing the future success of this scholarship and its impact on students.

Contributing to Scholarship Funds

Support DPS students through scholarships by making a gift to any of these scholarship funds at: bit.ly/scholarshipgiving. 

Gifts to the Durham Promise Fund will be used for the DPSF Scholarship program which awards scholarships to Durham high school graduates annually. Appropriate stewardship fees will be charged to the Durham Promise Fund and named scholarship funds on an annual basis. Questions? Please contact scholarships@bullcityschools.org.