Persevering Together for Students
It’s difficult to put into words what a challenge the scholarship process was this year, both for The Community Foundation staff and board and for students and families across the country. More than half of the Foundation’s scholarships require the Federal Application for Student Aid’s (FAFSA) Student Aid Report to be considered for the scholarship. When the FAFSA form was delayed, so was our process.
Despite the obstacles, we persevered to ensure local students had the opportunity to apply and qualify for as many scholarships as possible. We adjusted deadlines and worked one-on-one with many applicants. A total of 453 students applied through our universal application, which automatically matches students to scholarships based on the information they submit. Additionally, over 100 submissions were received for stand-alone or renewal applications.
In June, we awarded a record number of scholarships: $451,475 in new and renewal scholarships. Two hundred twenty students received 283 scholarships, averaging just over $2,000 per student.
Behind these impressive numbers are deserving students who will no doubt go on to do great things in our community and beyond. During an open house where students received their scholarship certificates, I met some remarkable young people. The student who is majoring in education with hopes to teach future generations. A student entering a nine-month trade program with plans to enter the workforce this time next year. The student studying nursing to help heal our community. A student in their second year of an engineering program. While each student is different, there are at least two things that unite them: a passion for whatever their next step may be and a team of supporters in their community rooting them on.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take the time to thank the Foundation staff, all of whom are involved in scholarships in some way. Thank you to families and students for their patience this year. We look forward to a hopefully smoother FAFSA process in 2025. Thank you to the 227 volunteer evaluators who helped select the recipients. And thank you to the donors who established the nearly 150 scholarship funds at The Community Foundation. Your generosity makes this work possible.
This would not have been possible without the full cooperation of all parties involved. Together, we were able to make it through a challenging scholarship season, and reward so many local students. Click here to learn more about The Community Foundation’s scholarships.
This editorial was originally printed in The Courier Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
