Our History

In 1987, the founders of Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program had one simple goal: Raise enough money for one college scholarship for one student. They succeeded. Their Pro-Am golf tournament at the Connestee Falls golf course brought in $5,000, and they wrote their first scholarship check. The recipient of that scholarship now works as a system analyst at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD). The volunteer group then set its sights on helping more students and set up the non-profit Student Scholarship Program.

Over the last 37 years, the program has raised over $2 million dollars and helped more than 1,000 Transylvania County residents afford their dreams of continuing their educations.

Each year, scholarship funds are distributed among Transylvania County Schools, Brevard College, and Blue Ridge Community College for scholarship recipients who are residents of Transylvania County.
This year we expanded our program to include recognition of the CFPOA Employees with the inaugural CFSSP CFPOA Employee Scholarship. The CFPOA staff do so much to enhance the lives of Connestee Falls residents and we wanted to say thank you to them in a tangible way. The scholarship is open to CFPOA Employees, their spouses or their children.

None of this would be possible without the continued, enthusiastic support of Connestee Falls residents, the Connestee Falls Property Owners Association and administrative staff, and the business owners and residents of Brevard and Transylvania County. Hayleigh Mann, one of the Program’s scholarship recipients, has described the effect of donor and volunteer participation in the Program this way: “Donors and volunteers join the students and serve as their partners in the pursuit of excellence.”

Over the years, Connestee Falls residents have supported the Student Scholarship Program through service on the CFSSP Board and committees while others participate in the many events and activities held by our community organizations.

The Student Scholarship Program believes that saying “thank you” to its donors is extremely important. The biggest way – literally – is through the massive Sponsor Board at the entrance to the Connestee Falls Golf Course and Clubhouse. Donors are also publicly thanked in the Transylvania Times, in the Celebration of Education event program, and on our website.

It should come as no surprise to anyone that every year, many more students who deserve scholarships are identified than there is money to provide. Year after year, CFSSP volunteers work extra hard to raise program awareness in addition to additional scholarship funds. What better investment is there in the future of our community and our nation than helping to provide deserving young people with a solid education?

As Benjamin Franklin once noted, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

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Please help us support more students by giving to the Connestee Falls Student Scholarship Program. For more information, email cfscholarship@gmail.com, or call 828-885-2001. You can also donate securely on this website.