Discover Funding Opportunities

E. Earl Wright Scholarship

The E. Earl Wright Scholarship supports students with work experience pursuing a 2-year degree or vocational/trade certification. This award was originally established by friends and family of Dr. E. Earl Wright as the E. Earl Wright Community Achievement Award Fund to honor community activist Dr. Wright. The award recognized someone who had contributed to improved quality of life in areas such as education, community service, community management, research and evaluation and problem-solving in Kalamazoo County. In 2002, the Steering Committee of the E. Earl Wright Community Achievement Award voted to change the fund to a scholarship fund named the E. Earl Wright Scholarship Fund. This is a multiyear scholarship eligible to repeat annually up to 2 times for students enrolled full-time in associate's degree programs or vocational/trade certifications. Students must be residents of Kalamazoo County or graduated from a high school within Kalamazoo County, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and have work experience.

Bhargava Family Scholarship

This scholarship, established by the Bhargava family, recognizes graduating high school seniors who demonstrate high academic performance as well as involvement in school, community and work activities. The scholarship provides a minimum of $1,000 annually and is renewable for up to 4 years. Recipients must be residents of Kalamazoo County or have graduated from a high school within Kalamazoo County. Students must maintain a minimum 3.75 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and have achieved a minimum 1310 SAT or 28 ACT score. The scholarship emphasizes outstanding leadership and commitment to school and/or community involvement. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the recipient's institution and may be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance.

Derek Jeter Scholarship-Turn 2 Education Fund

The Derek Jeter Scholarship-Turn 2 Education Fund, established in 1997 by Turn 2, provides scholarship support for graduating high school seniors who demonstrate leadership in their community while promoting abstinence from drugs and alcohol. This multiyear scholarship awards $2,500 annually and renews each year for eligible students pursuing full-time associate or bachelor's degree programs. The scholarship was established by professional athlete Derek Jeter, whose concern for youth led to the creation of the Turn 2 Foundation, which supports programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and adopt healthy lifestyles. Recipients must be residents of Kalamazoo County or graduating from a high school within Kalamazoo County, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, achieve minimum standardized test scores (1060 SAT or 21 ACT), and show leadership and involvement in school and community activities that advocate a substance-free lifestyle.

Enhancement Ministries Scholarship

The Enhancement Ministries Scholarship was established in 2002 by Dr. V. Yvonne Conner, founder of Enhancement Ministries. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist adults who are making the transition from an unrelated field into a community service profession or, who are seeking additional education or training to help them improve their skills within current community service employment. This scholarship supports residents of Kalamazoo or Calhoun County who demonstrate financial need and have at least five years of employment history after high school. The scholarship is designed for adults pursuing career transitions into community service professions through various educational programs including associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, graduate degrees, professional development, or vocational/trade certification. The award amount is $500 or more and is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship that can be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance.

Brian Thiele Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship, established by family and friends in memory of Brian Thiele, provides financial assistance to students who exhibit characteristics similar to those for which Brian is so fondly remembered. This includes playing varsity and/or club soccer, achievement of personal and academic goals, overcoming obstacles to meet his goals, competitive spirit, leadership and a special caring for community. The scholarship is available to students pursuing associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, or vocational/trade certifications. Recipients must be residents of Kalamazoo County or graduates from a high school within Kalamazoo County, demonstrate financial need, have four years of participation on a soccer team during high school, and demonstrate competitive spirit, leadership, and a desire to give back to others. Brian Arthur Thiele was born September 16, 1971 in Kalamazoo, MI. He was finishing a degree in Logistics Management at Western Michigan University when, at the age of 22, his life was cut short as a result of an in-line skating accident while interning in Isny, Germany. Brian, a 1990 graduate of Portage Northern High School, spent four years on the varsary soccer team. Although he loved to play the game, he found just as much, if not more, excitement and pleasure on the sideline coaching. This scholarship honors his legacy of dedication to soccer, leadership, and community service.

21st Century Success Fellowship

The 21st Century Success Fellowship supports 21st Century Scholars from St. Joseph County who are completing 2- or 4-year degrees from a college or university located in St. Joseph County, Indiana. Admitted Fellows participate in organized leadership development opportunities that target personal and professional growth through career exploration, networking, collaboration with current Fellows and outreach to potential 21st Century Scholars. Fellows have the additional opportunity to participate in a paid summer internship at a local nonprofit to support their academic and professional journey. The Fellowship provides a $5,000 annual stipend ($500 per month from August to May) in addition to the state-funded 21st Century Scholarship. The Fellowship may be renewed to cover a 2- or 4-year course of study, contingent on satisfactory participation in Fellowship activities and retention of the 21st Century Scholarship.

Vipond Family Scholarship

The Vipond Family Scholarship is awarded to a forthcoming or current student of Keystone College who demonstrates academic achievement, good citizenship and service to others, leadership, and participation in community service. This scholarship is administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which serves the northeastern Pennsylvania region. The scholarship supports students pursuing their education at Keystone College and recognizes those who have shown commitment to their community through service and leadership activities.

The Raoul Wallenberg and Carol Rittner Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a current or forthcoming student of Keystone College who demonstrates characteristics of good citizenship and community service. The scholarship is administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation and honors the legacy of Raoul Wallenberg and Carol Rittner by supporting students who embody values of civic engagement and service to their communities. The award is specifically designated for students attending Keystone College in Pennsylvania.

Teddick Family Fund Scholarship

The Teddick Family Fund Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior from one of four designated high schools in northeastern Pennsylvania. This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate academic achievement, good citizenship and service to others, leadership, and community service. The scholarship is administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation and is designed to support graduating seniors from Mountain View High School, Montrose High School, Elk Lake High School, or Lackawanna Trail High School as they pursue higher education. Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, their contributions to their school and local community, and their leadership qualities.