Scholarships and Criteria

The Community Scholarship Program is active from November through June each school year. The information contained on this page is NOT to be considered current at any other time.

The Foundation administers separate scholarship funds established by individuals, families, corporations, and organizations to assist local students in pursuit of advanced education. Together, these scholarships make up our Community Scholarship Program. Eligibility, criteria, and supplemental requirements are different for each scholarship. To apply for one or more of these scholarships, visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for further instructions.

Raleigh and Thelma Abshier Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Jeaniece Scheessele to advance education in honor of her parents.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of South Spencer High School pursuing post-secondary education.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on applicant's success in overcoming difficult circumstances, a history of working hard to achieve aspirations and goals, and the desire to help others.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Perseverance (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages) describing the challenges faced in order to pursue past and/or future aspirations and goals.
2.  Letter of recommendation from an individual who is unrelated to the applicant and who is not a Community Foundation board member in support of the applicant's ability to overcome challenges and obstacles.
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Transcript Verification Form.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $540.

Brauns Family Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Thomas and Vicki Brauns.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of South Spencer High School who have attended at least two years at Luce Elementary School and are pursuing post-secondary education at an accredited institution. 

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements: 
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages). 
2.  Written verification by a school official confirming that applicant attended Luce Elementary School for at least two years. - The Foundation will secure this once all applications have been processed.   
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Transcript Verification Form.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $780.

Cornelius R. Collignon Family Scholarship (Not awarding during the 2011-2012 scholarship season)
Annual scholarship created by the family of Cornelius R. Collignon in memory of his life's work protecting natural resources.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduates of Heritage Hills High School in Spencer County, Indiana, who are entering their college sophomore, junior or senior year.  Past recipients of the award may reapply; however, preference will be given to first-time applicants.  Applicants must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) and be pursuing a four-year degree at an accredited Indiana college or university majoring in agriculture, forestry or aviation (with preference given to applicants majoring in agriculture).  If there are an insufficient number of applicants, the scholarship will be made available to graduating seniors of Heritage Hills High School who meet the remaining criteria.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on applicant's demonstration of leadership abilities, patriotism, financial need, and academic performance.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Essay (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages) responding to the following:

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines patriotism as the love for or devotion to one's country.  What is the importance of American patriotism in our society and how do you demonstrate patriotism in your own life?
2.  Two letters of recommendation describing applicant's leadership qualities and abilities.  Letters must not be from applicant's relatives or members of the Spencer County Community Foundation board of trustees.
3.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
4.  Official grade transcript.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: To be determined 

Award Amount: To be determined.

Community Trust Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by the Community Scholarship Trust of Spencer County and sponsored by the Spencer County 4-H Association.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of any Spencer County high school pursuing post-secondary education. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) and must demonstrate participation and leadership in extracurricular programs, school activities, and community organizations.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on high school transcripts, the types and variety of courses taken, and on the required essay. Financial need is not a requirement but may be considered secondary to all other criteria.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Transcript Verification Form.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $380.

Narl and Hazel Conner Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Deann Siegel, Keith Conner, Ron Conner, and Eric Conner as a loving tribute to their father and mother.

Hazel and Narl Conner were very benevolent people in their life time.  They identified people who were in need and assisted them in fulfilling that need.  Whether it be a need for a job, transportation, food or finances, they were good to discreetly help people in the community and fulfill those needs.  The opportunity for education was always a priority to our parents.  Narl Conner served as board president of the North Spencer School Corporation during the years of consolidation.  Heritage Hills High School, David Turnham Elementary and Chrisney Elementary schools were built during the time he was the board president.  He was also very instrumental in the funding and the construction of the Lincoln Heritage Public Library in Dale.  Hazel Conner was supportive of his endeavors and maintained the household as Narl invested many hours away from home in these community services.  Hazel was very involved as a volunteer in the schools while her children were of school age.  We feel they would want their legacy to continue in education.  They would be pleased to know they will continue to have a role in educational opportunities within the North Spencer community via a financial scholarship in their name.

Eligibility Criteria: Heritage Hills High School seniors with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) who plan to enroll as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year college or university.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on applicant's community service involvement, employment history, and demonstration of leadership abilities and experience. Preference will be given to applicants with financial need.  The selection process may also include a personal interview.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Resume.
2.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Transcript Verification Form.
5.  Current list of all scholarships awarded to date, indicating the scholarship name, award amount, the academic year the scholarship is to be utilized, and whether the scholarship is a one-time award or renewable.
6.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $680.

Harold and Thelma Hunter Scholarship
Annual scholarship created in memory of Harold Hunter by his wife, Thelma Hunter, and their children to help graduates of Heritage Hills High School pursue advanced education.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be graduating seniors of Heritage Hills High School with a minimum 2.8 grade point average (4.0 scale) planning to pursue post-secondary education at any accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on the applicant's demonstration of financial need, high moral standards, perseverance, and skills in team building as demonstrated from participation in school and/or community activities.  These activities may include sports, drama, music, academics, or other school/community teams.  Preference will be given to applicants who are ranked in the 50th to 90th percentile of their graduating class.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
3.  Letter of recommendation from an extra-curricular or community activity coach/instructor, who is unrelated to the applicant and who is not a Community Foundation board member - that describes the applicant's moral standards, perseverance, and skills in team oriented activities.
4.  Official grade transcript.
5.  Transcript Verification Form.
6.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $400.

Mabel Mason Ryan Memorial Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by the estate of Mabel M. Ryan to advance education in nursing and medicine.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of any Spencer County high school pursuing post-secondary education for a career in medicine or other healthcare related field.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on grade point average, financial need, required essay, and community involvement.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Transcript Verification Form.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $8,440. Multiple scholarships may be awarded from the total amount listed.

Mike Ryan Memorial Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Mabel M. Ryan in memory of her husband.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of any Spencer County high school pursuing post-secondary education at any accredited educational institution. Preference will be given to students pursuing post-secondary vocational education.  Applicants must demonstrate good academic standing and financial need.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Transcript Verification Form.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $9,840. Multiple scholarships may be awarded from total amount listed.

Schmidt-Yeager Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Phillip and Elaine Schmidt to facilitate adults continuing their college education.

Eligibility Criteria:  Residents of Luce Township in Spencer County, Indiana, who are high school graduates and who have earned at least eighteen credit hours towards a college degree within the past ten years.  Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) from previous college coursework and must be planning to pursue a 2- or 4-year degree in healthcare or agriculture at any accredited college, university or technical school.  If there are an insufficient number of Luce Township applicants, the scholarship will be made available to graduates of South Spencer High School who meet the remaining criteria.

Selection Criteria:  Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and the supplemental requirements.

Supplemental Requirements: 
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Official grade transcript.
3.  Transcript Verification Form.
4.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.)

Award Amount:  $990

Gene and Christina Schwindel Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Gene and Christina Schwindel.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors or graduates of Heritage Hills High School pursuing post-secondary education.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Official grade transcript.
3.  Transcript Verification Form.
4.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $2,810. 

               College Scholarship Award: High school graduates or graduating high school seniors enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree at an accredited four-year degree granting institution. Applicants must be ranked in the upper half of their high school senior class at the time of graduation and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) at the time of application.

               Junior College or State-Supported Technical College Scholarship Award: High school graduates or graduating high school seniors enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course of study leading to a two-year degree at an accredited degree-granting junior college or State-supported technical college. Applicants must be ranked in the upper half of their high school senior class at the time of graduation, and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) at the time of application.

Selection Criteria: Preference will be given to graduating high school seniors. Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  At least one letter of recommendation in a sealed envelope from a school official or other individual who is unrelated to the applicant and who is not a Community Foundation board member but can attest to his or her school and community service activities.
2.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Transcript Verification Form.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $5,770. Multiple scholarships may be awarded from the total amount listed.

Alieene Vance Memorial Scholarship
Annual renewable scholarship created by Don Foertsch and Mason Foertsch in memory of a former employee of the Foertsch Construction Company to encourage the children of employees of Foertsch companies to further their education, to recognize academic achievement of those graduating from high school and continuing their education, and to motivate recipients to achieve maximum scholastic and vocational potential.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be the natural or adopted children of current employees who have completed the equivalent of one year of full-time service with a company controlled by Mason and Don Foertsch prior to January 31 of the year in which the award is to be made. If there are an insufficient number of applicants meeting the established criteria, the guidance counselor will notify Heritage Hills High School students that the scholarship is being made available to students whose parent(s) are not employees of Foertsch-controlled companies. Applicants must be high school seniors planning freshman enrollment in a full-time course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree at an accredited four-year degree-granting institution or planning freshman enrollment in a full-time course of study leading to a two-year degree or certificate at an accredited degree-granting junior college or State-supported technical college. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale).

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on scholastic record, evidence of leadership, career plans and objectives, and on the required essay.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Official grade transcript.
3.  Transcript Verification Form.
4.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and mail or deliver your supplemental documents by the application deadline to the Spencer County Community Foundation, Lincoln Commerce Center, 2792 N US Hwy 231, PO Box 3, Rockport, IN 47635.

Application Deadline:  February 27, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.)

Award Amount: $1,000.

Renewal Details: Renewal applications may be considered. For renewal consideration, applicants must be in their consecutive sophomore, junior, or senior year and have maintained full-time status and academic performance at the scholastic level of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale). Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award.  Click here for the renewal application. 

Consideration for the following scholarship requires completion of a separate application form as indicated. See "Contact for Application and Deadline."

Melba Jean Racener Scholarship
Open only for renewal applicants in 2011-12 school year
Annual renewable scholarship created through the estate plan of Melba Jean Racener.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of any accredited high school whose home residence is in Daviess, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, or Warrick counties in Indiana. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) and be planning to pursue post-secondary education in advertising, marketing, communications or a related field. 

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on academic performance and financial need, with preference given to applicants who demonstrate active participation in extracurricular activities, especially as they relate to the applicants' major. 

Contact for Application and Deadline: The Vanderburgh Community Foundation in Evansville, Indiana, 812.422.1245.  Click here to be redirected to the Vanderburgh Community Foundation's website for more information, the application form, and deadline.