Community Foundation Scholarships: Understanding Eligibility Requirements
Community foundations play a vital role in supporting the educational aspirations of students by administering a variety of scholarships. These scholarships reward and assist capable and deserving students based on criteria established by fund donors. It is important to remember that the specifics of a Community Foundation’s scholarship program may be subject to change from time to time.
General Eligibility
Any graduating high school senior, current college student, and/or non-traditional student planning on attending a college or university may apply for community foundation scholarships. However, there are unique eligibility requirements for every scholarship.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
In keeping with the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Community Foundations typically prohibit the disbursement of scholarships to any institution that discriminates in their employment practices and delivery of programs and services based on age, ancestry, citizenship, color, disability, economic circumstances, ethnicity, familial status, gender or gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and/or veteran status.
Specific Scholarship Examples and Their Requirements
To illustrate the range of eligibility requirements, let's examine some specific scholarships offered by various community foundations. Note that these are examples, and requirements vary widely.
Scholarships for Graduating High School Seniors: These scholarships have their own criteria and guidelines. To apply for scholarships, applicants typically need to log in to the scholarship portal and create an account. Once the account is created, they can fill out the “common application,” a single online application that will register them for all scholarships they qualify for based on their selected college, intended major, and current high school.
Read also: Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships for Current College Students or Non-Traditional Students: These scholarships also have their own criteria and guidelines. To apply for these scholarships, applicants need to log in to the scholarship portal and create an account. Once the account is created, they can fill out the application for each scholarship.
The Boilard-Harkin Scholarship: This scholarship supports students beginning their post-secondary studies at a community college. Awards are only given to students who are or will be attending community colleges.
The Bridget McCabe Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship supports students at any stage of life who have a love of learning. Applicants must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and be enrolled full-time to be eligible.
The Habib Yusif Sabbagh Scholarship: This scholarship supports refugee and immigrant youth escaping conflict in the Middle East attending the University of Arizona or Pima Community College.
The Jacques-Wegner Scholarship: This scholarship supports students attending a 4-year college.
Read also: Guide to HCF Scholarships
The Michael and Carolyn Stelman Scholarship: This scholarship supports students who are pursuing an education in the areas of Culinary Arts, Music, or Photography.
The Pauline Miguel Scholarship: This scholarship was established to honor Pauline Miguel’s commitment to the educational success of members of the Tohono O’Odham Nation.
Scholarships for Employees/Dependents: Some scholarships are specifically for employees of certain organizations (e.g., Hughes Federal Credit Union, Skyline Country Club, Tucson Country Club) or their dependents/spouses. These often have requirements regarding length of employment (e.g., at least six months, working a minimum average of 12 or 20 hours per week).
The Southern Arizona Nursing Scholarship: This scholarship reduces the financial burden for students seeking to obtain their Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree in preparation for taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and acquiring Registered Nurse (RN) certification. Applicants do not need to be graduates of a Southern Arizona high school, but they must be eligible for in-state tuition and enrolled at a Southern Arizona community college to be eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must also be accepted and enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree in preparation for acquiring RN certification.
Common Eligibility Factors
While each scholarship has unique requirements, some factors frequently appear in eligibility criteria:
Read also: Funding Your Education: Akron Scholarships
- GPA: Many scholarships require a minimum GPA, such as 2.5 for high school or undergraduate study or 3.0 for graduate study.
- Enrollment Status: Some scholarships require full-time enrollment, while others may accept half-time enrollment (e.g., a minimum of 6 units per semester).
- Area of Study: Certain scholarships are restricted to specific fields, such as culinary arts, music, photography, or nursing.
- School Type: Some scholarships are only for students attending community colleges or 4-year colleges. Note that Community Foundation policy prohibits disbursement scholarships to for-profit educational institutions.
- Residency: Many scholarships require residency in a specific county or region.
- Financial Need: The majority of scholarship opportunities require applicants to demonstrate financial need. The Community Foundation may consider the Student Aid Index (SAI), which is issued on the FAFSA Submission Summary after filing FAFSA, and the applicant's response to a question about need on their application.
- FAFSA: Applicants that want to be considered for scholarship opportunities where financial need is a factor will need to file FAFSA and provide their FAFSA Submission Summary as part of their application.
The Application Process
The scholarship application process typically involves the following steps:
Creating an Account: The first step in the application process is creating an account within the online system. Whether an adult learner or a high school senior, applicants must create an account or continue their applications.
Completing the General Application: Most of the applications will be accessed by submitting the “General Application” first. The General Application is a submission to most scholarships. Once submitted, applicants will be directed to scholarships they are eligible for that require additional information. All students are encouraged to submit a General Application which is one submission for multiple scholarships.
Reviewing Specific Scholarship Details: Each scholarship fund has specific eligibility criteria which are determined by donors when the scholarship is created. Examples of eligibility criteria include: community of residence, school attended, grade point average, future plans, or financial need. Be sure to read the instructions throughout the application carefully.
Submitting Required Documents: Applicants that want to be considered for scholarship opportunities where financial need is a factor will need to file FAFSA and provide their FAFSA Submission Summary as part of their application. Some scholarships require recommendations.
Verification of Enrollment: If an applicant is awarded a scholarship, they will be provided instructions to sign a scholarship agreement and provide verification of enrollment.
Scholarship Renewal
Recipients of certain scholarships may apply for renewal of the scholarship award. However, failure to submit the renewal form by the specified date will result in ineligibility to be considered for this year’s and future scholarship renewal awards. Renewal applications will be assigned to renewal candidates in their online student account. Scholarships are typically offered for one academic year. Recipients may reapply for up to four years of funding.
Additional Considerations
- Scholarship Use: Scholarships can be used for tuition, books and academic fees, but not typically for food and housing. Scholarships are for school tuition, on-campus room & board, and fees, at accredited colleges, universities, trade schools or community colleges in the United States. Most scholarships are paid over one year, while others, due to their size, are paid over several semesters.
- Holistic Review: Community Foundation Scholarship Application process engages in a holistic review process that seeks to achieve a more equitable application and selection process. The application includes a questionnaire and short answer statements that help to identify the many ways students of different races, gender identities and expressions, sexualities, cultures, and backgrounds exhibit qualities of leadership, community service, and work ethic.
- Application Review: Every application is reviewed by members of the Community Foundation’s volunteer scholarship selection committees.
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