— Thanks to the continued generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc., one four-year college tuition scholarship will be offered to Franklin County students through the Franklin County Community Foundation.  “The scholarship program provides scholarships to prospective college attendees possessing demonstrated character, academic and leadership skills,” reports FCCF executive director Shelly Lunsford.  

Lilly Endowment leaders began the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program to raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana and increase awareness of the potential of Indiana’s community foundations.  

The application for the scholarship is now available on-line at www.franklincountyindiana.com under Scholarships. The completed application must be postmarked by Jan. 8, 2013.

The program provides one scholarship for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Lilly Endowment  officials have set scholarship requirements: must be an Indiana residents; will have graduated by the end of June 2013 with a diploma from an accredited Indiana high school; must be free to choose which Indiana college he or she will attend; has been accepted and will pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an accredited Hoosier public or private college or university; will keep FCCF informed annually of college academic status; will communicate with the foundation about educational or employment status for 10 years following college graduation.

The Franklin County Community Foundation selection committee established additional requirements: will enter college as a first semester freshman beginning in fall 2013; must be a Franklin County resident who is not applying for a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship from any other community foundation; must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 point scale; must be willing to represent Franklin County and the Franklin County Community Foundation in a positive manner.

A Selection Advisory Committee will review all applications turned in by the deadline and will interview three semifinalists, who will be notified by letter in early February.  The FCCF Scholarship Selection Committee is an independent committee of five members chosen to represent a cross-section of Franklin County, including its professional and geographic constituents. Lunsford explained, “Members have been selected because they are perceived as well respected and objective.”

She added, “The Franklin County Community Foundation is proud of this prestigious award, and pleased to offer the opportunity to our county’s residents.”

Persons needing more information about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship or other FCCF scholarships may contact the FCCF office at 765-647-6810.