Foundation announces online application process under way

Friday, October 31, 2014
The Putnam County Community Foundation gathered administrators and guidance staff from all the county high schools for a kickoff to the 2015 scholarship season. More than $320,000 in scholarship funding will be available for Putnam County scholars. Seated (from left) are Beth Sewell, CHS; Lauren Alspaugh, NPHS; Brenda Meyer, GHS; Kristin Hendrich, SPHS; Jen Zigler, GHS; Carolyn Mann, PCCF; Ellie Ypma, PCCF, and Elaine Peck, PCCF. In back (from left) are Michael Nees, CHS/Knoy; Toni Tomlinson, CHS/Knoy; Sonny Stolz, CHS; Greg Linton, CCSC; Sharon Bone, Area 30; Brian Gardner, SPHS, Debbi Christy, PCCF; Bruce Bernhardt, SPCS; Kieth Puckett, SPHS; Dawn Puckett, GCSC; Dean Gambill, PCCF and Greg Cook, Ivy Tech.

The Putnam County Community Foundation had big news to share with administrators and guidance staff members of the county's four school districts last week. It was announced that more than $320,000 will be available in scholarship funding for the 2015-16 academic year and the Community Foundation's application process will be completely electronic this year

Students may begin accessing the online application on Nov. 1 by visiting the Community Foundation's website, www.pcfoundation.org.

The Scholarship Forum is designed to give school professionals the information they need to help their students successfully navigate the sometimes overwhelming transition to post-secondary school. This year's forum, sponsored by Asbury Towers, included a lunch prepared and served by the culinary arts students at Area 30 Career Center.

Dean Gambill, community development director and scholarship coordinator for the Community Foundation, demonstrated the new online system.

"The online process will not be difficult for the students," Gambill said. "Students do everything online. The entire application process, including requesting and submission of letters of recommendation and high school transcripts, is electronic. One of the nicest features of electronic applications is that the students may complete portions of the applications, save them and return to finish the application at a later time. We are going to save a lot of trees.

"Adjusting to a new system may cause some discomfort for some but once they understand the process it will be much simpler and a more efficient process. Community Foundations in surrounding counties began using the same system last year and had great success with it," Gambill concluded.

The online application allows students to fill out one application and apply for up to 40 different scholarships.

The Community Foundation's website provides a comprehensive list of all available scholarships and the eligibility criteria for each.

"Each scholarship is unique as is its eligibility criteria," Executive Director Elaine Peck noted.

There are scholarships for colleges, universities and trade schools. Annual award amounts vary from $500 to the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship which covers full tuition and fees for four years.

Some scholarships are for specific institutions. Others like the Lilly, may only be applied to an Indiana school, while others such as the Lyon Family Scholarship, may be used at any accredited college. Awards can be need-based or merit-based. With this amount of variety, anyone seeking financial assistance should visit the Community Foundation's website to see if they qualify for any of the more than 60 available scholarships.

Students are encouraged to visit their high school guidance offices or contact the Center for College Costs, www.collegecosts.org, for help and advice. To be considered for scholarships using the Community Foundation's Application, students must submit the application by 5 p.m. Jan. 9.

The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to serve donors, award grants and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County. The Community Foundation administers more than 250 funds and endowments, supporting a variety of charities.

Questions about scholarships should be directed to Gambill at 653-4978 or dgambill@pcfoundation.org.

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