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.

Kalamazoo Public Library Amanda Green Scholarship

The goal of this scholarship, named after a longtime library assistant in Teen Services, is to promote the library profession to people of color. By providing monetary assistance to individuals, KPL hopes to promote the hiring of more librarians of color either at home or in other communities. Amanda Green worked at KPL for 23 years, from 1998 to 2012. Many of those years she spent in Teen Services, working to give all teens the opportunity to improve their lives. Her passion for KPL's mission to support and mentor teens has been passed on for years. In 2016, the Kalamazoo Public Library board passed a resolution that reaffirms the library's commitment to address equal justice under the law, racial justice, and institutional racism, social-economic divisions in the community and human dignity for all through programs, services, policies, practices and the empowerment of staff. This multiyear scholarship is eligible to repeat annually up to 2 years if enrolled full-time or up to 4 years if enrolled part-time.

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.

High on Heroes Scholarship

The High on Heroes Scholarship was established in 1993 by High on Heroes Inc. (a local air show) to provide scholarship assistance for post-high school education for family members of law enforcement, firefighters, public safety, and emergency personnel employed in Kalamazoo County. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are related to persons who died while employed by a qualifying agency. Even greater consideration may be given to applicants related to an employee who died in the line of duty. This is a multiyear scholarship that is eligible to repeat annually up to 4 times. The scholarship funds can be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance (COA) such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the educational institution and split evenly between fall and spring semesters.

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.

LPEA Lineworker Scholarship

LPEA is giving away two scholarships for high school graduating students interested in becoming lineworkers. Each winner receives $12,000 for tuition, fees, and books for up to one year at an electrical lineworker school. Any overages following payment of tuition and fees can be used to pay for required and necessary tools and supplies. Applicants must be members of LPEA and high school graduates from schools within LPEA's service territory, including Durango, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, and Ignacio. Recipients must enroll as first-year students at an accredited vocational school, technical school, junior college, or university in the U.S. and major in an electric lineworker program. The scholarship application is available from December 1 to March 1, with winners notified in April. Applicants must submit an essay or video explaining their interest in becoming a lineworker, a high school transcript, and two letters of recommendation.

LPEA John Voelker Memorial Scholarships

The LPEA John Voelker Memorial Scholarships are designed to encourage careers with rural electric cooperatives by providing financial support to high school graduating students pursuing higher education. Two scholarships are awarded annually, each providing $5,000 per year for two years to cover tuition, fees, books, tools, and supplies. Recipients must be LPEA members who are high school graduates from within LPEA's service territory (including Durango, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, and Ignacio) and must enroll as first-year students at any accredited institution of higher education in the U.S., including vocational schools, technical schools, junior colleges, or universities. The program focuses on students whose academic majors or programs lead to degrees, certifications, or licenses related to rural electric industry careers. To maintain eligibility for the second year, students must remain enrolled full-time, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and complete at least 15 academic credits each term.

LPEA Scholarship - EmPOWERing Your Future

The LPEA Scholarship program is designed to encourage careers with rural electric cooperatives by supporting high school graduating students from LPEA's service territory who are pursuing higher education. The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support covering tuition, fees, and books for students attending accredited colleges or universities in the United States. Two scholarships are awarded annually, each providing $7,000 per year for four consecutive years, totaling $28,000 per recipient over the course of their undergraduate education. To maintain eligibility, recipients must be enrolled full-time and maintain specific grade point average requirements that increase over time - starting with a minimum 2.5 GPA in the first year and increasing to 3.0 GPA from the second year onward. Students must also successfully complete a minimum of 15 academic credits each term and remain eligible until they have attained a maximum of 150 credit hours. The scholarship particularly emphasizes the connection between academic pursuits and potential careers in rural electric cooperative associations.

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.

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.