Discover Funding Opportunities

Jim Cristy Swimming Scholarship

Established in 1990, the Jim Cristy Swimming Scholarship offers financial assistance to K-12 students who desire to participate in Kalamazoo County competitive swimming or learn-to-swim programs. This one-time, non-renewable award provides up to $1,000 to help elementary, middle, or high school students who are residents of Kalamazoo County and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship is specifically designed for students enrolling or enrolled in competitive swimming or learn-to-swim programs at the YMCA within Kalamazoo County. Recipients must submit a recommendation from a swimming coach or instructor and verification of income. Award recipients are notified in early spring and receive funds upon return of a letter of acceptance.

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.

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.

Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association Scholarship

The Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association Scholarship was established to assist students who have taken part in the Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association program. This one-time scholarship award of $1,500 is designed to support high school seniors pursuing a bachelor's degree (4-year) at an accredited institution. The scholarship specifically recognizes students who have demonstrated superior character, sportsmanship, and good citizenship through their participation in the Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association program. Applicants must be enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA while demonstrating financial need. The scholarship funds may be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance (COA), including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, and other educational expenses. Payments are sent directly to the recipient's institution and are typically split evenly between fall and spring semesters. The application process is streamlined through an all-in-one online application system administered by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Students can apply starting December 1st, with submissions due by March 1st. Applicants are notified of award decisions between April and June, with scholarship payments sent directly to institutions by mid-July through August. This is a non-renewable, one-time award that can be combined with other scholarships or funding sources.

Matthew VanderSalm Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by John and Cathryn VanderSalm in memory of their son Matthew, a 1988 graduate of Gull Lake High School. The award is intended to recognize an outstanding senior defenseman in the South Central High School Hockey League who displays the highest degree of sportsmanship, skill, and team play during his high school career. The scholarship provides a one-time award of $2,500 to high school seniors who are defensemen on a Southwest Michigan High School Hockey League team and demonstrate financial need. Recipients must be pursuing an Associate's or Bachelor's degree at an accredited institution. This non-renewable scholarship may be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance. Payments are sent directly to the recipient's institution and split evenly between fall and spring semesters.

Curtis & Dorothy Young Scholarship

Duane Young, a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School and Michigan State University as well as a professional football player, established this fund in 1994 to provide scholarship assistance to student athletes who have the desire and the skills necessary to participate in athletics while attending a college/university. This scholarship supports high school seniors who are residents of Kalamazoo County or graduating from a high school within Kalamazoo County. Recipients must demonstrate financial need and have participated in high school varsity sports with the possibility of continuing participation in college. The scholarship provides up to $1,000 as a one-time, non-renewable award that 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 an all-in-one online application system, with submissions due by March 1 each year. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the student's institution, typically by mid-July through August.

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.