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CIS/Kalamazoo Public Education Foundation Scholarship

The Kalamazoo Public Education Foundation Scholarship, established by the directors and officers of the Kalamazoo Public Education Foundation, is awarded annually to a Kalamazoo Public Schools graduating senior planning to enter the field of education. This scholarship supports students pursuing a course of study leading to a career in teaching who demonstrate financial need and academic achievement. The award is renewable annually and provides at least $1,000 per year to help cover educational expenses. Recipients must be full-time students pursuing a teaching career with a minimum 2.75 GPA.

Danial & Joeanna Smith Education Scholarship

The Danial & Joeanna Smith Education Scholarship was established through a bequest from the estate of Danial and Joeanna Smith for the purpose of providing educational scholarships to permanent residents of Van Buren County who are planning to pursue a bachelor's degree at a four-year college or university. This one-time, non-renewable scholarship supports full-time students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, financial need, and participation in extracurricular activities. The scholarship amount varies and is not disclosed. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA for high school seniors or 3.0 GPA for current undergraduates. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the educational institution and can be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance. The application process is streamlined through an all-in-one online application available from December 1 through March 1 each year, with award notifications sent between April and June, and payments disbursed by mid-July through August.

Pay-It-Forward Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a sophomore, junior, or senior attending Penn State University as a full-time student who is a permanent resident of Lackawanna county, who is employed full-time at Penn State through work-study or an outside employer and continues working as a full time student, and who has maintained a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to both their education and work responsibilities. A unique aspect of this scholarship is the pay-it-forward commitment: when the recipient is in a position to do so in the future, he or she must commit to offering a similar scholarship opportunity to others. This creates a legacy of giving that extends beyond the initial award and helps support future generations of students facing similar circumstances.