Scholarship applications now being accepted by PCCF

The Putnam County Community Foundation had big news to share with administrators and guidance staff members of the county’s four school districts on at the recent annual Guidance Forum.

It was announced that more than $340,000 will be available in scholarship funding for the 2018-19 academic year. This will be the fourth year that the Community Foundation’s application process will be electronic. Students may now access the online application by visiting the Community Foundation’s website, www.pcfoundation.org.

The Guidance 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 again included a lunch prepared and served by the Culinary Arts students at Area 30 Career Center under the guidance of Mary Anne Birt.

Students may apply for multiple scholarships by filling out just one online application.

“There are 40 scholarships which utilize our common application,” said Dean Gambill, who oversees the scholarship program for the Community Foundation. “Students are very comfortable with the online application and prefer online over paper applications. We still have a handful of applications which must be completed on paper but most may be applied for using the online application.”

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. There are scholarships for colleges, universities and trade schools. Some scholarships are for specific institutions while most 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 sixty 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. 12.

The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to help donors establish endowments, award grants and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County. The Foundation has been entrusted with more than 270 funds and endowments for donors, supporting a variety of charitable purposes.

To learn how to start your own endowment, visit www.pcfoundation.org or contact the office at 653-4978.