Discover Funding Opportunities

Vince Peterson Scholarship

The Vince Peterson Scholarship supports students enrolled in the Counseling and Human Services Master's degree program at IU South Bend who are members of underrepresented groups in the field. The scholarship is specifically designed to support Black, Hispanic, and/or male students pursuing their MS Degree in Counseling and Human Services. The scholarship is renewable for up to three years with a total maximum award of $6,000, supporting students as they complete their graduate education and advance their career goals in counseling and human services. Recipients must maintain academic excellence with a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate satisfactory progress toward degree completion while being enrolled in at least one three-credit course each semester.

Buechner Scholarship

The Buechner Scholarship supports licensed teachers in St. Joseph County, Indiana who wish to pursue graduate education at Indiana University South Bend. The scholarship is designed specifically for teachers pursuing a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in either the Unified Track Elementary and Secondary Education program or the Education Leadership program. Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and demonstrate financial need through FAFSA. The scholarship provides financial support based on enrollment, with $1,000 per three-credit class and an additional $500 book stipend per semester for students enrolled in at least 4 credit hours. The scholarship is renewable annually upon submission of a renewal application and continued satisfaction of eligibility criteria. Annual disbursements will not exceed $10,000 per academic year and cannot exceed the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for any session. This opportunity is administered by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and is intended to support the professional development of educators in the local community.

Coquillard Family Scholarship

The Coquillard Family Scholarship provides financial assistance to students from St. Joseph County who are attending Ivy Tech State College at the South Bend campus. This scholarship is designed to support both full-time and part-time students who are 35 years old or younger. The scholarship may only be used for South Bend campus coursework and helps reduce the financial burden of pursuing higher education at a community college level. Awards are distributed on a semester basis, with amounts varying based on enrollment status. The number of scholarships awarded each year depends on available funds, and interested students must complete the Ivy Tech Scholarship Application by the April 1 deadline.

Officer Paul R. Deguch Memorial Scholarship

The Officer Paul R. Deguch Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship program offered through the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County to support students pursuing undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice at Indiana University South Bend. This memorial scholarship honors the legacy of Officer Paul R. Deguch by providing financial assistance to qualifying students from St. Joseph County who are committed to the study of criminal justice. The scholarship provides $1,500 per year to help cover tuition and required fees for eligible students who demonstrate academic achievement with a minimum 2.5 GPA. One award is granted annually to a resident of St. Joseph County enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at IU South Bend. Applicants must complete the Indiana University South Bend Scholarship Application and may obtain additional information from the IU South Bend College of Liberal Arts and Sciences office or the Department of Criminal Justice.

Chas W. Cole Scholarship

The Chas W. Cole Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduate students from St. Joseph County, Indiana or adjacent Indiana counties who rank below the top 10% of their graduating high school class and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship is administered through the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and is available to students attending IU South Bend and Purdue Polytechnic South Bend. Award amounts vary based on the determined need of the chosen applicants and the number of credit hours enrolled. Funds may be used for tuition and fees, books, and parking. IU South Bend students may request additional funds for childcare expenses, and all recipients may apply for additional funding for summer school enrollment. The scholarship is renewable upon successful completion of coursework, requiring recipients to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and complete at least 80% of classes enrolled in. The number of awards granted each year depends on available funds. Applications are accepted twice annually with deadlines of April 1st and November 1st, and applicants must complete the FAFSA to demonstrate financial need.

Katie McCloskey Memorial Scholarship

The Katie McCloskey Memorial Scholarship is a renewable scholarship program administered by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County. This scholarship is designed to support graduating seniors from John Adams High School who have demonstrated involvement in athletic activities during their high school career. The scholarship recognizes student-athletes who maintain academic performance while participating in sports. This award provides $3,500 per year for tuition and fees, and is renewable for up to four years, making the total potential award value $14,000. One new scholarship is awarded each year to a qualifying senior who meets the minimum cumulative grade point average requirement of 2.5. The scholarship aims to support students as they transition from high school athletics to higher education. Applicants must be senior students at John Adams High School in South Bend, Indiana, with demonstrated athletic involvement and academic achievement. The scholarship application process is coordinated through the Adams High School Guidance Office, with applications typically due in March each year. This memorial scholarship honors the legacy of Katie McCloskey by supporting student-athletes in pursuing their educational goals.