The Charlotte Talent Initiative (CTI) is a cohort-based career pipeline program for Charlotte area students. This program funds tuition, room, and board for selected CTI students for four years, as long as they continue to meet the requirements of the program.

The program is designed to create economic success in Charlotte by helping talented students from low-income backgrounds succeed in their careers. CTI works to achieve this goal through funding education and purposeful in-class and out-of-class experiences such as coursework, internships, mentorship, and leadership development. Students will also have the built-in support of like-minded individuals and a team to support them through their four-year journey.

The Charlotte Talent Initiative currently offers two cohort experiences. If selected, students will be placed into one of the cohorts. Our two cohort partnerships are with Ally Financial and Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

Ally Financial

The Ally Cohort focuses on building competencies in data analytics. Scholars in the Ally Financial Cohort will be required to minor in the Computing and Data Analytics minor but may choose any major of their interest, except nursing or education. Students will also enhance their academic experience with group events that build their leadership skills, applies their knowledge to real-life business cases at Ally and overall prepares them for the internship and career success.

Lowe’s Companies Inc.

The Lowe’s Cohort focuses on building general competencies in business functions. A student may choose any major or minor of their interest, except nursing or education. Students in the Lowes cohort may be required to take some courses in Excel, entry-level courses in business or communication, and enhance their academic experience with group events that build their leadership skills, applies their knowledge to real-life business cases at Lowe’s and overall prepares them for the internship and career success.

Benefits

Students will receive a full scholarship that includes tuition, room, and board.

In addition, students will receive mentorship from the sponsoring organization, enhanced skills relevant to the industry and specific organization, unique out-of-class opportunities, and support from a dedicated Queens team.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Charlotte Talent Initiative Scholarship and Program, students must be:

• An incoming first-year student.
• High academic performing student.
• Graduate from a Charlotte-Mecklenburg County High School.
• Have demonstrated financial need.