Discover Funding Opportunities

Phyllis A. Nuyen Scholarship

This scholarship fund was established to provide financial support to students planning to pursue a degree in nursing or occupational therapy at Western Michigan University. The scholarship provides up to $2,000 annually and is a multiyear award that renews annually up to 2 times. Recipients must be residents of Kalamazoo County or have graduated from a high school within Kalamazoo County, maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and be studying nursing or occupational therapy at Western Michigan University. The scholarship is available to high school seniors enrolling full-time in a bachelor's degree program. Scholarship payments are sent directly to the institution and can be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance.

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.

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.

Jean Hunse Scholarship

The Jean Hunse Scholarship was established in honor of Jean Hunse, who became a certified public accountant in 1943, started and later served as president of the American Association of Women CPA's, and opened her own accounting firm in Kalamazoo in 1977. This scholarship provides financial assistance to students studying business at Western Michigan University. The award is a one-time, non-renewable scholarship of $1,000 or more that is sent directly to the institution. Students must be residents of Kalamazoo County or have graduated from a high school within Kalamazoo County, maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need, be a business major (with preference for accounting), and be a college junior, senior, or fifth-year senior. The scholarship can be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, and health insurance.

David & Barbara Kruse Paw Paw High School Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Barbara Kruse and the late David Kruse to provide meaningful financial support to Paw Paw High School graduating seniors or graduates of Paw Paw High School, who are planning to pursue training in technical fields. The scholarship supports students pursuing associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, graduate degrees, or vocational/trade certifications. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and be pursuing a course of study leading to a career in a technical field. This is a one-time, non-renewable award of $1,000 or more. The scholarship can be applied to any items under the school's cost of attendance including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, and other educational expenses.

Spalding & Zirille Memorial Scholarship

The Spalding & Zirille Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to graduating seniors at Mishawaka High School who plan to pursue higher education at an accredited Indiana college or university. This renewable scholarship supports students with strong academic performance who are committed to full-time study. The scholarship provides $1,000 per year for tuition and fees and can be renewed for up to four years, offering a total potential award of $4,000 over the course of an undergraduate degree. As a rule, a new award is made every four years. The scholarship is administered through the Mishawaka Senior Award Principal's Committee, and all eligible seniors receive application information from the MHS Administrative Team in mid-April.

Mishawaka Rotary Club Scholarship

The Mishawaka Rotary Club Scholarship is a one-time scholarship award for graduating seniors at Mishawaka High School who plan to pursue higher education. This scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County in partnership with the Mishawaka Rotary Club. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students demonstrating academic achievement, financial need, and commitment to full-time college study. Applications are processed through the Mishawaka Senior Award Principal's Committee, with all eligible seniors receiving information about the application process from the MHS Administrative Team in April. The award is designed to support students in their transition to post-secondary education by helping to offset tuition and fee expenses.

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.

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.

Donald C. and Marion E. Currier Scholarship

The Donald C. and Marion E. Currier Scholarship is a generous scholarship program for St. Joseph County, Indiana high school graduates pursuing engineering degrees at Purdue University's West Lafayette College of Engineering. This scholarship provides comprehensive financial support including up to full tuition, required fees, an allowance for books, and on-campus housing or an off-campus living allowance. The scholarship is renewable for up to six semesters based on review, allowing students to complete their undergraduate engineering education with substantial financial assistance. Students must complete at least one year at Purdue before applying, with funding commencing in the fall of their sophomore year. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study in any engineering field, with the exception of Engineering Education and programs through the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.

Anita F. Boorda Scholarship for the Performing Arts

The Anita F. Boorda Scholarship for the Performing Arts provides financial support to high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in Performing Arts, Music, Theatre, Dance, or Production. The scholarship offers up to $2,500 annually and is renewable for up to four years, making it a valuable long-term investment in students' performing arts education. Applicants must be residents of specific counties in Indiana or Michigan, graduate with a minimum 2.5 GPA, and plan to attend an accredited college or university for full-time study in the performing arts. Preference is given to students who have been actively engaged in the performing arts during their high school career. The scholarship is administered through the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County's centralized application process, which provides access to over 20 scholarship opportunities through a single application.

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.