WINGS

Women Initiating and Nurturing Growth through Scholarships (WINGS) is a life-changing scholarship program for non-traditional students at Charlotte area universities offered by Women Executives (WE). As the sole philanthropic initiative of WE, WINGS provides scholarship and mentoring support for undergraduate students, 25 years or older, who are pursuing higher education as a way to improve their lives.

An applicant for the WINGS Scholarship:

• must not already have a degree.
• must be 25 years or older,
• must have a GPA above 2.5,
• must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
• must take a minimum of 6 credit hours, but ideally at least 12 credit hours per semester,
• must not graduate in the current semester when the application is submitted because the application is for a future term,
• must submit a complete application, and
• must identify as female or have demonstrated support for females in the pursuit of a higher education degree.

Application must be submitted by April 1st

Attend the following 2026 events (all mandatory):

• April TBD – Interviews
• April 19 – New Scholar Welcome
• May 14 – WINGS Graduation
• July 12 – Orientation Pt. 1
• August 9 – Orientation Pt. 2

Expectations of WINGS Scholars Being chosen as a WINGS Scholar is an exciting honor. To maintain the program’s integrity, below are expectations of all Scholars. Failure to adhere to these requirements in a timely manner may result in your scholarship being terminated.

All WINGS Scholars MUST:

• Share your experiences by participating in at least two other WINGS Scholar/WE events annually.
• Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average.
• Take a minimum of 6 credit hours, but ideally at least 12 credit hours per semester. If you take between 6 and 12 credit hours, scholarship funds will be prorated and there may be additional requirements.
• Agree to allow your school to release proof of your academic progress by submitting a copy of your academic transcript to WINGS at the end of each semester and/or as requested.
• Enroll and take classes starting in the immediate fall after your acceptance into WINGS AND maintain consecutive semesters of attendance at your institution until you graduate. If you fail to attend for two consecutive semesters, you will forfeit any remaining scholarship amounts.
• Provide WINGS with your schedule showing credit hours for upcoming semester a month before each semester.
• Develop and maintain a well thought-out plan for achieving your educational and career goals.
• Share willingly both successes and challenges with your Mentor AND meet monthly (text, email, phone or in-person) with your Mentor. Notify your Mentor of any changes that affect your qualification to continue in the WINGS program.
• Cooperate with WINGS and WE in promoting the WINGS program, including giving WINGS the right to use your picture or other information about yourself to publicize the WINGS scholarship program.
• Completion of an annual scholar questionnaire (new scholar, renewing scholar or graduating scholar) which includes socio-economic demographic questions specifically for use in quantifying impact of the WINGS scholarship
  WINGS funds are administered by Central Piedmont’s Sponsored Programs. WINGS Scholars will be required to share academic progress and achievement directly with WE annually. This scholarship is available to any qualified candidate without regard to sex. Any student offered a scholarship will be required to sign a required events policy!