Scholarship information on this website is frequently updated. Generally, scholarship applications are updated and made available online in January of each year. 2013 scholarship applications must be received by the Community Foundation no later than Wednesday, March 13th.
Scholarship applications may be dropped off in person at the Community Foundation office during regular business hours—generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applications may also be mailed to the Community Foundation at P.O. Box 1283, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-1283. Please be sure to affix proper postage. No faxed or emailed applications will be accepted at this time.
You must include the original application, essay and transcript, as well as four (4) copies of these items. Do not staple these items together. We recommend that each application, essay and transcript be held together with a paperclip. A packet--containing the original and four (4) copies--may be held together with a rubber band. It is not necessary nor advised to submit application packets in fancy folders or envelopes. Please do not submit additional attachments (letters, photos, test scores, etc.) unless specifically instructed in the scholarship guidelines to do so.
No, there is no cost to apply. Scholarships from legitimate sources should not require a fee to apply for or to receive an award.
The vast majority of scholarships offered through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation are intended to be received by students graduating from schools located in Isabella County or individuals who reside in Isabella County. A few of our scholarship funds were established by donors with interests outside of Isabella County and are available to students in those communities. Visit the Scholarship section of our website to review those that are available to students attending high schools outside of Isabella County.
Generally, one out of every three individuals who submits an application receives a scholarship. Regardless of grade point average, career field or financial situation, there is likely a scholarship for which any graduating senior of an Isabella County School could submit a competitive application. Please take the time to review the criteria related to each scholarship to determine the ones for which you are a qualified candidate. The criteria of these scholarships may be very specific and limit the number of potential applicants to a few individuals, or the criteria may be very broad and allow any graduating senior from an Isabella County High School to apply.
Choose reference providers who can attest to your accomplishments and attributes as you've described them in your scholarship application and essay. Because the criteria and preferences for each scholarship can be different, it is permissible to select different reference providers for each application. Consider teachers, coaches, employers, or other adults who know you well. Generally, the best reference providers have known you for more than one year, are enthusiastic about your candidacy for the scholarship, and have been asked in advance to serve as a reference. Do not assume someone will provide a positive reference. It is important to ask reference providers, in advance of submitting a scholarship application, if they are willing to be contacted about your candidacy. Make sure to list on the application the telephone number at which the reference provider prefers to be contacted.
Scholarship amounts vary based on endowed fund growth, duration of investment, and donor wishes. Each fund web page lists the dollar amount of the current year's scholarship.
Most scholarships may only be used for direct educational expenses such as tuition, fees, books and supplies and in some cases, room and board. Please refer to each scholarship's guidelines for information about how the funds may be used.
Most of the scholarships are for students attending accredited two or four year colleges and universities. However, some scholarships may be used for vocational and technical schools or adult education programs. Please refer to each scholarship's guidelines for more details.
The Community Foundation's Scholarship Committee reviews all applications. These volunteers first determine if an applicant meets the criteria established by the donor(s). Once eligibility is determined, these volunteers review the applications based on the preferences established by the donor(s). The Scholarship Committee recommends applicants to the Board of Trustees, who then approves all scholarship awards. In general, a single individual should receive no more than one scholarship from the Community Foundation. If a student is the highest ranked candidate for more than one scholarship, he or she will receive the highest valued scholarship. In the event that no other applicants are eligible for the lower valued scholarship, a student may receive more than one scholarship.
Scholarship recipients will be notified by email and/or mail in mid-April. Shortly thereafter, a list of all scholarship recipients will be posted on the Community Foundation's website. The letter notifying scholarship recipients will also contain an invitation to attend the Foundation's annual Scholarship Reception. At this event, scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to meet the donors who established the scholarship they are receiving. This is considered a "must attend" event for the scholarship recipient who may bring two guests. If the scholarship recipient absolutely cannot attend, an immediate family member is expected to represent the scholarship recipient.
Scholarship recipients will be asked to fill out a form indicating where to send scholarship funds. Scholarship payments will be mailed directly to the college or university. The Community Foundation does not issue scholarship payments to students or their parents. Scholarship payments are made contingent upon the submission of all required and requested documentation and compliance with all eligibility requirements.
For most students, a scholarship used for tuition, fees, books, supplies and essential equipment is usually not taxable. Scholarship funds that are used for room and board may be taxable. Please consult a tax professional if you have questions about your scholarship award.
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