If I’m currently a college student and attended college immediately after high school, can I continue to apply for HCCF scholarships?
Yes, you will fill out the Universal Application November 1st – February 4th and be directed to scholarships available to current college students.
Am I eligible to apply?
Each scholarship fund is set up differently to meet the wishes of the founding donor; therefore, each scholarship has its own set of requirements to apply and its own selection criteria. A complete list of scholarship funds with detailed information on requirements and criteria is available on pages 8-33 of this scholarship booklet.
I’m not a “straight A” student. Are there scholarships available for me at HCCF?
Many HCCF administered scholarships do not include academic performance as a selection criterion, and there are others that only require that you have a minimum GPA or that your class rank falls within a certain percentage.
I do not plan to pursue a traditional bachelor’s degree. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, several HCCF scholarships are designated for those who wish to pursue any post-secondary education credential.
If I graduate early, am I still eligible for scholarships?
Applicants must meet or exceed minimum secondary education graduation requirements, regardless of class standing, to be eligible for scholarship funds requiring graduation from a secondary education institution. All scholarships designated for graduating students will be awarded the May after students complete their minimum requirements.
Can I receive more than one scholarship?
It is possible for students to be selected for more than one scholarship.
How much does it cost to apply?
There is no application fee.
What are the amounts of scholarship awards and how are they determined?
Scholarships are grants generated from the income earned from endowed (permanent) funds administered by the Hancock County Community Foundation on behalf of donors. Because grants are determined based on a percentage of income earned, some fund awards equate to unusual dollar amounts and can vary from $500 to much more. More than half of the scholarships are between $500 and $1,000. Specific amounts for most scholarships can be found in the scholarship descriptions on pages 8-36.
What kinds of costs can my scholarship cover?
All HCCF-administered scholarships must be used for billable fees (ie. tuition, required fees, room and board, and in some cases, required course-related expenses such as books, supplies, fees and equipment) unless otherwise outlined in scholarship descriptions on pages 8-36. We encourage its use for non-taxable purposes including tuition and required fees.
Is my scholarship renewable?
All HCCF administered scholarships are one-time scholarships unless outlined in the scholarship amount on scholarship descriptions on pages 8-36.
When will I be notified?
Scholarship recipients who are currently high school students will receive an email in late April informing them of the total amount they have been awarded. Specific scholarships received will be revealed at high school senior awards programs. Current college students will be notified by mail of their awards in late April or early May.
If I receive a scholarship, how is the money disbursed?
HCCF policy requires scholarship checks to be sent directly to the eligible educational institution* in which the scholarship recipient enrolls. For most scholarships, this information is provided by the recipient on the recipient information form. Checks will be mailed in July.
*Eligible educational institutions are those whose primary function is the presentation of formal instruction and that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities. It is also accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation agency.
If I plan to take a “gap year” after graduating high school or otherwise delay my post-secondary enrollment for a year or more, will HCCF hold my scholarship for me?
The Hancock County Community Foundation’s Scholarship Policy states that scholarship recipients must utilize funds in accordance with the purposes and conditions of the grant during the academic year immediately following their scholarship award. “Gap years” or interruptions between award of the scholarship and the beginning of post-secondary education in the following academic year will cause the recipient to forfeit the scholarship. For multi-year scholarships, scholarship recipients must continue their education without interruption to maintain scholarship qualification. Special exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Who should I contact if I have questions about a scholarship or the application?
If you are a current high school student, first contact your school counselor or the scholarship coordinator at your school. If you are not a current high school student or if the school counseling office is unable to answer your question, please contact Janet White, Education Officer, at 317.462.8870 or jwhite@giveHCgrowHC.org.
