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Community Foundation Scholarships Deadline Fast Approaching

Local students still have time to apply for a variety of scholarship opportunities offered through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. The Community Foundation offers over 90 unique scholarships to eligible graduating high school seniors, current college students, and students pursuing vocational training and trade professions. 

Antrim County scholarship opportunities include, among others:

  • Barney and Renie Barber Trade Scholarship for graduating seniors from Forest Area, Kalkaska, or Mancelona who are planning to pursue a program related to the building trades.
  • Bennie M. Kline Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors or residents of the Elk Rapids area that are pursuing, or planning to pursue a trade or technical career. 
  • Drenth Family Memorial Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors from Ellsworth, with priority for students planning to pursue nursing, education, or a vocational (trade) career.
  • Kathy Larkin Alba Scholarship for a graduating senior at Alba Public School who has demonstrated academic excellence and has expressed interest in entering a public service field.
  • Ragland Bloem Scholarship for graduating seniors from Antrim or Kalkaska County who are planning to pursue education in environmental or related studies.

Benzie County scholarship opportunities include, among others:

  • Benzie Central Science Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors from Benzie Central High School with an expressed interest in science, who have excelled in science, and who plan to pursue higher education in the science field.
  • Emily and Frank Smiddy Scholarships for graduating seniors from Benzie County high schools who are planning to pursue post-secondary education in the sciences ot STEM.
  • John Rowland Gehring Science Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors from Benzie Central High School with an expressed interest in science, who have excelled in science, and who plan to pursue higher education in the science field.
  • Kalee Bruce Memorial Scholarship for graduating seniors from Benzie Central or Frankfort High School.

Elk Rapids scholarship opportunities include, among others:

  • Owen James Anderson Memorial Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors with a preference for Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Members, students pursuing construction management, and/or student whose interests include outdoor recreation.
  • Elk Rapids Industrial Development Corporation Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors planning to enter a vocational program in college or trade school, or an apprentice training program.
  • Elk Rapids Scholarship Endowment for graduating high school seniors with a 3.75 GPA or higher.
  • Peter James Gorno Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors planning to pursue post-secondary education.
  • Bennie M. Kline Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors or residents of the Elk Rapids area that are pursuing, or planning to pursue a trade or technical career.

Kalkaska scholarship opportunities include, among others:

  • Barney and Renie Barber Trade Scholarship for graduating seniors from Forest Area, Kalkaska, or Mancelona who are planning to pursue a program related to the building trades.
  • Ragland Bloem Scholarship for graduating seniors from Antrim or Kalkaska County who are planning to pursue education in environmental or related studies.
  • Scott Day Memorial Scholarship for graduating seniors from Kalkaska High School with priority consideration for students planning to pursue a major or career within the field of education.

Leelanau scholarship opportunities include, among others:

  • Helen and Dale Cropsey Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors or current college students who are attending college in Michigan and demonstrate financial need and attend church in the Suttons Bay or Bingham area.
  • Ed and Nessa Laing Scholarship Endowment for graduating seniors from Suttons Bay Public Schools that are planning to pursue a trade, technical, or vocational profession.
  • Ron Smith Memorial Scholarship for graduating seniors from Suttons Bay High School who are bound for post-secondary education and have demonstrated commitment to and tireless pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.

Additionally, students across our five-county region may be eligible for more than 20 other scholarships available regionally, such as:

  • Martha Scarborough Scholarship for individuals up to 24 years old from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau County who have aged out of foster care.
  • Robert S. “Robbie” Detwiler Memorial Scholarship for enrolled college students from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau County that are pursuing an architecture degree.
  • Robert Paul Dost Scholarship for students in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau County that are planning to pursue electrical engineering.

The deadline to apply for most scholarships is March 1, though individual scholarship deadlines may vary. For complete information on available scholarships, criteria, and application deadlines, visit the Community Foundation website.

Students can also contact the Community Foundation at 231-935-4066 or scholarships@gtrcf.org

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