It’s scholarship season!
April 8, 2021
 | By Jamie Schloegel, Chief Executive Officer |
Springtime means scholarship season is here!
Well, it’s finally spring, and this year we have the added bonus of thawing out from the COVID freeze. As life slowly returns to normal and schools resume proms and sporting events, we also have scholarship award nights to look forward to!
Every high school, college, and university in La Crosse County has students who receive scholarships from La Crosse Community Foundation.
Scholarships at La Crosse Community Foundation
Did you know La Crosse Community Foundation is the largest provider of charitable scholarships in La Crosse County?
Last year 182 students – either graduates of local high schools starting a post-secondary degree, or students working to finish a degree – received a scholarship award from one of La Crosse Community Foundation’s 63 scholarship funds. The total value of all 2020 scholarship awards was $299,197.
This year we are on track to award over $300,000 in scholarships in the next few months. Our scholarship funds award both one-time and renewing awards. Scholarship fund donors get to select the award criteria, and independent scholarship award committees at local high schools and colleges evaluate applications and select the best candidates.
Scholarships help incredibly grateful students
Each spring and fall our mailbox is inundated with thank you notes from scholarship recipients expressing their gratitude for the awards. Here’s one example:
“To many education may seem like an impossibility due to financial constraints. However gracious donors like you and other forms of aid help more people turn that impossibility into reality. I strive to one day be in a position to ensure all those who desire an education to be able to get one. Until then, I’m glad organizations like yours are able to make dreams come true.”
Scholarships can also help nontraditional students
Not all students attend college straight from high school and use scholarships to augment government financial aid.
Some students aren’t eligible for government financial aid and privately-funded scholarships are one of few options they have to help overcome the financial barrier to post-secondary education. Other students maybe attended college right out of high school, maxed out what they could receive in financial aid, then decided to return to school later in life.
Creating a scholarship fund
Each scholarship fund’s award criteria is as unique as the donor. Many scholarship fund donors establish a fund to support scholarships in memory of loved ones, or to give back to their alma mater. Awards range from support for those pursuing a specific degree to support for first generation college students.
If you’re interested in starting a scholarship fund at La Crosse Community Foundation to help individuals pursue higher education, don’t hesitate to reach out to me today. Click the link for more information about starting a fund: https://www.lacrosseareafoundation.org/give/start-your-own-fund/