Discover Funding Opportunities

The Montague Myers Scholarship

The Montague Myers Scholarship, established in 1996, honors the legacy of Montague Myers, a Kalamazoo interior designer and member of the American Society of Interior Designers. This fund supports individuals who have faced significant childhood hardships and aspire to further their education, empowering them to overcome their past challenges and pursue their academic and vocational dreams. This is a multiyear scholarship that is eligible to repeat annually up to 4 times. The scholarship provides $1000 or more to support students pursuing various educational paths including associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, graduate degrees, or vocational/trade certifications. Applicants must be residents of Kalamazoo County or graduating/graduated from a high school within Kalamazoo County, demonstrate financial need, and have a history of abuse, abandonment or neglect as a child. The scholarship can be applied to any items under a school's cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, and other educational expenses.

Aldrich Focus on Science Scholarship

The Aldrich Focus on Science Scholarship was established in honor and memory of D. Scott Aldrich, supporting students from Kalamazoo County pursuing studies in science. This scholarship provides $3,000 in financial assistance to students majoring in science fields, with a preference for those studying Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Pharmaceutical Science. Scott Aldrich was a Western Michigan University graduate who pursued a career in microscopy and trace analysis techniques with pharmaceutical companies including Upjohn, Pharmacia, and Pfizer. He was passionate about advancing pharmaceutical quality standards and solving scientific problems. This scholarship honors his legacy by supporting the next generation of science students who demonstrate financial need and are residents of or graduates from Kalamazoo County. The scholarship is a one-time, non-renewable award that can be applied to any items under the student's school cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance.

Bob Block Memorial Scholarship

The Bob Block Memorial Scholarship was established to support students from Kalamazoo County who have demonstrated dedication and commitment to competitive swimming or diving. This one-time, non-renewable scholarship honors the memory of Bob Block, an award-winning diver from Loy Norrix who became an NCAA Division III champion at Alma College and returned to Kalamazoo to become a premier coach for swimmers and divers before his untimely death in an auto accident in the 1990s. The scholarship is remembered for honoring Block's competitive yet caring nature when working with young people. Recipients must be high school seniors enrolling full-time in an associates or bachelor's degree program, demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and show dedication to competitive swimming or diving. The scholarship is administered through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's all-in-one scholarship application process.

Ronald C. Cavanaugh Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship honors the legacy of Ronald C. Cavanaugh by supporting current undergrads from Kalamazoo County attending Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University. Established in 1994 by the family of Ronald Cavanaugh, this scholarship commemorates his memory. A Kalamazoo native, Cavanaugh earned a degree in business administration from Western Michigan University in 1967 and enjoyed a successful career in the paper industry, culminating in the ownership of The Spartan Paperboard Company. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students who are residents of Kalamazoo County or graduated from a high school within Kalamazoo County, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and are attending Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University. This is a one-time, non-renewable award of $1,500 or more that can be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance.

Roy G. Walters Memorial Scholarship

The Roy G. Walters Memorial Scholarship was established in 1995 to provide financial support for higher education to students who have participated in athletics as well as school and community activities. This scholarship honors Roy G. Walters, a celebrated coach, athlete, and 1992 inductee into the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The scholarship supports high school seniors from Kalamazoo County who demonstrate involvement in athletics and school and community activities, with financial need taken into consideration. This is a one-time, non-renewable award that can be applied to any items under the student's school cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance.

Wade & Clio Van Valkenburg Scholarship

The Wade & Clio Van Valkenburg Scholarship was established in 2004 through the Wade Van Valkenburg Trust to provide educational scholarships for Kalamazoo County students facing financial hardship or challenges in their education due to past legal issues or accusations. The scholarship honors Circuit Court Judge Wade Van Valkenburg, who served in Kalamazoo for six years and was deeply concerned about youth in the community, especially those who have had to overcome circumstances or obstacles that may otherwise hinder them from seeking training or higher education. This one-time, non-renewable scholarship provides a minimum of $1,000 to help students pursue associates degrees, bachelor's degrees, or vocational/trade certifications. The scholarship is specifically designed for students who have been found guilty of a criminal offense and demonstrate financial need. It can be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance. Applications are submitted through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's all-in-one online application system, with a March 1 deadline each year. Recipients are notified between April and June, and scholarship payments are sent directly to educational institutions by mid-July to August. This scholarship represents a unique opportunity for students with past legal challenges to access higher education and transform their lives.

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.

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.

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.

Todd Angelo Memorial Scholarship

The Todd Angelo Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a senior student at the University of Scranton who will graduate in the year the award is made and who will matriculate at an accredited school of dentistry in the same year. The scholarship is selected by the Scranton Area Community Foundation Scholarship Committee and honors the memory of Dr. Angelo. This award supports graduating seniors pursuing dental education as they transition from undergraduate studies to professional dental school.

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.

Russell J. O'Malley and James E. O'Brien Memorial Scholarship

The Russell J. O'Malley and James E. O'Brien Memorial Scholarship Award honors the memory of Russell J. O'Malley and James E. O'Brien who were long term, active and revered members of the Country Club of Scranton. This scholarship is awarded to a qualified Country Club of Scranton employee who is attending a secondary or post-secondary educational institution. The scholarship provides financial support to help employees of the Country Club of Scranton pursue their educational goals at secondary or post-secondary levels.