A scholarship established to support students who are working to pay the bills — honoring the legacy of Joseph G. Nystrom.
"It's never too late to be what you might have been." — George Eliot
Joseph was a typical college student. A great student athlete, he started college right after high school, but didn't find the inspiration he expected. Joseph decided to take time away from school and work to pay his own bills.
Joseph had nearly reached his goal when, in October 2017, he was killed by a drunk driver.
We have established this scholarship in his honor, to help students who are working to pay the bills, just like our Joseph.
Read this profile about how we started the scholarship — Helping people finish what they started.
Your donations are fueling the dreams of hardworking people. Since 2019, this scholarship has supported eight recipients — working students from across North Carolina who balance school, jobs, and family to build a better future.
Central Carolina CC · Medical Sonography
$8,000 awarded
Michaela attended Central Carolina Community College for Medical Sonography, balancing a 36-hour weekly work schedule with full-time studies. She managed family care and significant health costs while training to help others in the medical field.
NC State University
$8,000 awarded
A first-generation student at NC State University, Xochitl worked 30 hours a week while caring for her siblings. Her goal is to serve her community and complete her education with minimal debt.
NC A&T · Civil Engineering
$16,000 awarded
Marco studied Civil Engineering at NC A&T State University while maintaining multiple jobs. He plans to specialize in water resources to improve infrastructure and utility services.
Durham Technical Community College
$16,000 awarded
Shante is a resilient mother who pursued her education at Durham Tech through profound personal loss and health challenges. Her commitment to her studies exemplifies the spirit of the working student building a stable future.
Wake Tech · Associate in Arts
$16,000 awarded
A working mother at Wake Tech, Selina used the scholarship to reduce work hours and focus on her academics, excelling while balancing parenting and studies.
Watts School of Nursing · Nursing
$16,000 awarded
A nursing student at Watts School of Nursing, Marla excelled academically while raising her son. She is dedicated to medical training and providing a professional example through her academic excellence.
NC Central · Healthcare Administration
$16,000 awarded
Bijou is a Healthcare Administration major at NC Central University. She utilizes her award to alleviate the financial weight of her education and focus on her professional dreams in the healthcare industry.
UNC Charlotte
$4,000 awarded
Mram is a student at UNC Charlotte. Awarded the scholarship in 2025, she continues the tradition of the fund by demonstrating the resilience required to pursue higher education while maintaining employment.
Every contribution helps a working student finish what they started. Your generosity continues Joseph's legacy.
✦ All donations are tax-deductible1405 St. Andrews Drive
Mebane, NC 27302