First-Year Scholarships

Comparing First-Year Scholarships

The Wilson College of Textiles offers a number of scholarships to incoming first-year students who plan to enroll in a Textiles major. 

All first-year scholarships are merit-based and follow the same application process. However, they may differ in terms of: 

• Scholarship amount awarded, 
• Enrichment grants awarded, 
• Eligibility requirements and
• Included programming. 

Review the table below for a quick comparison or keep scrolling to explore our scholarships in greater detail. 

Name	Scholarship Amount	Enrichment Grants	Scholar Program	Unique Eligibility	Merit or Need-Based?
ITT/Roger Milliken Centennial	$22,000	Up to $7,500	Yes	Must major in polymer and color chemistry, textile engineering or textile technology	Merit
Centennial	$20,000	Up to $7,500	Yes	No	Merit
Kimbrell Centennial	$20,000	Up to $7,500	Yes	No	Merit
Textile Pioneer	$14,000	Up to $4,000	Yes	Eligibility limited to qualifying NC counties	Both
W. Duke Kimbrell	$22,500	No	No	In-state students only. Preference: Gaston County residents	Both
NCTF Merit	$5,000	No	No	No	Merit
NCTF Prestige	$2,500	No	No	No	Merit

Centennial Scholarship

• $20,000 scholarship yearly for four years
• Up to $7,500 in enrichment grants
• Includes scholar programming

The Centennial Scholarship was introduced by the NCTF in 1999 as part of the Wilson College of Textiles’ centennial celebration. The first cohort of Centennial Scholars started classes in 2000. 

ITT/Roger Milliken Centennial Scholarship

• $22,000 scholarship yearly for four years
• Up to $7,500 in enrichment grants
• Includes scholar programming

If selected, students will need to major in polymer and color chemistry, textile engineering or textile technology to receive the scholarship. 

Kimbrell Centennial Scholarship

• $20,000 scholarship yearly for four years
• Up to $7,500 in enrichment grants
• Includes scholar programming

Textile Pioneer Scholarship

• $14,000 scholarship yearly for four years
• Up to $4,000 in enrichment grants
• Includes scholarship programming

The Textile Pioneer Scholarship is a merit-based and need-based scholarship. Inspired by NC State’s land-grant mission, its goal is to expand access to an elite textiles education to exceptional students from across the state. The scholarship program was first established in 2018 and the first cohort of Textile Pioneer Scholars started classes in fall 2020. 

In order to be considered for a Textile Pioneer Scholarship, a student must reside in a non-metropolitan county, as defined by the UNC System Strategic Plan. In other words, they need to live in a county categorized as Tier 1 or Tier 2 in the Department of Commerce’s 2016 list.

Because this is both a merit-based and need-based scholarship, students must complete the Free Application for Federal and Student Aid (FAFSA) by Jan. 31, 2026. Only those with financial need (as determined by the FAFSA) will qualify. 

W. Duke Kimbrell Scholarship

• $22,500 scholarship yearly for four years

This scholarship is only available to in-state students. Preference is given to applicants who are residents of Gaston County and have financial need.

The Kimbrell Scholarship Fund was created by distinguished Wilson College of Textiles alumnus W. Duke Kimbrell ’49, who is ranked the second most influential textile executive in the 20th century by Textile World Magazine. 

Because this is both a merit-based and need-based scholarship, students must complete the FAFSA by Jan. 31, 2026. Only those with financial need (as determined by the FAFSA) will qualify. 

NCTF Distinguished Merit Scholarship

• $5,000 scholarship yearly for four years

NCTF Distinguished Prestige Scholarship 

• $2,500 scholarship yearly for four years

Textiles Scholarship Program

All Centennial Scholars (including recipients of the ITT/Roger Milliken Centennial Scholarship and the Kimbrell Centennial Scholarship) and Textile Pioneer Scholars are part of the Textiles Scholarship Program. This means unique opportunities in the areas of career exploration and development, leadership, ethics and character, and community service are built into their time on campus. Two examples of this are embedded in the curriculum: 

• Fabric of Success and Career Readiness (T 104): This class, required for all students in our Textiles Scholarship Program, will equip you with the skills and knowledge to stand out in your next job or internship search. You’ll learn how to write a stronger resume, navigate job interviews and explore your career interests.
• Honors Seminar (T 491H): At some colleges, you might get to shake hands with the dean before you graduate. At ours, you’ll take a class with them. T 491H, offered only to students in our Textiles Scholarship Program, is taught by Dean David Hinks and a Textiles faculty member. Over the course of the semester, students work in groups to develop startup proposals. They also build leadership skills, learn from a series of guest speakers and create a research or design project plan with a faculty mentor. 

Members of the Textiles Scholarship Program benefit from the community and network they build with each other and with former Scholars. Textile Pioneer Scholars are automatically enrolled in the Blend Mentorship Program, which connects current students with successful Wilson College alumni.

Students in the Textiles Scholarship Program are expected to remain in good academic standing (3.0 GPA) throughout their college career. 

Questions? 

We’re here to help! Email textiles-scholarships@ncsu.edu. You can also check out our FAQs page, which answers questions about eligibility and different stages of the application process.