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Scholarship Opportunities
Meaningful Scholarships. Lasting Impact.
We believe that post-secondary education is critical to a healthy, resilient, and thriving community and are pleased to partner with generous community donors to offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for local students.
More than 50 unique scholarship opportunities are available to graduating high school seniors, current college students, and vocational/trade school students from across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau County and Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
We also have more than 40 scholarship opportunities available specifically for graduating seniors from Traverse City West, Traverse City Central, and Traverse City High School.
Applications Closed for 2025
Scholarship opportunities avaliable through our General Scholarship Application are now closed for the season. Our scholarships will re-open in January 2026. See below for additional scholarship opportunities.
To learn more about our scholarship funds, check out these scholarship guides:
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
The following scholarship opportunities have unqiue applications that are not part of our General Scholarship Application. Please note that the deadlines for these opportunities vary. Before completing an application, please review the Applicant Tutorial.
- Home Builders' Association of the GT Area Scholarship
- Available to residents from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska or Leelanau Counties who are pursuing continuing education related to the home building industry.
- One letter of reference from a current member of the Home Builders Association of the GTA, Inc is required.
- Minimum GPA of 2.5; copy of transcripts required.
- Applicants should have demonstrated community involvement, leadership and/or service
- Deadline to apply: March 31
- Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council Scholarship
- Available to Michigan-based college students that are employees, or the spouse or child of employees, of an MCMCFC member facility and that are in a health and human services field of study.
- Applicants must be employed for at least one continuous year at an MCMCFC member facility or be the spouse or child of an employee.
- Applicants must be enrolled in a college or university in the state of Michigan.
- Applicants must be majoring in a health/human services field of study, at a junior level with at least a 3.0 GPA or accepted into a certified nursing program.
- Deadline to apply: March 15
- National Writers Series Scholarships
- Eligible writers must be in 11th or 12th grade during the 2024-2025 school year with a permanent residential address in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau County; and attend public, parochial, private, or home school.
- Applicants must complete an online application and submit a manuscript via the online application.
- Manuscripts in the genres of Fiction, Nonfiction, Journalism, and Poetry will be accepted; a student writer may submit in only one category.
- Deadline to apply: March 3
- Northwest Michigan Osteopathic Scholarship
- Available to MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine students that are in good standing and that have a connection to rural, Northern Michigan.
- Deadline to apply: March 31
- Traverse City Track Club Scholarship
- The Traverse City Track Club Charitable Giving Scholarship Program is dedicated to supporting students seeking higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to the Track Club's mission in their lives.
- Available to graduating high school seniors from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska or Leelanau Counties -OR- current college students from, or that currently reside in, Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska or Leelanau Counties.
- Must be currently erolled, or planned to enroll, in a post-secondary school (ex: community or techical college, university, etc.).
- Must be pursuing a post-secondary degree (not a professional certificate).
- Must demonstrate involvement in running and/or running-related activities.
- Deadline to apply: March 3
- University Center Scholarships
- The Marvin and Luella Rorick Scholarship and the Richard and Clarine Olson Scholarship are available for students enrolled at the NMC University Center who are pursuing a degree in a human services field, including nursing, social work, family life, etc.
- Applicants must be a resident of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska or Leelanau County.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required.
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
- Returning and/or working students are encouraged to apply.
- Deadline to apply: March 31
- USS Indianapolis/Gwinn "Angel" Scholarship
- Available to descendants of family members who are directly linked to USS Indianapolis, such as a final crew member (Survivor or Lost at Sea), rescue crew, or honorary survivor. Other unique affiliations with the ship's legacy will be considered by the board of review. Previous award recipients are not eligible. Applicants must attend or be a prospective full-time attendee of an accredited college or university. Academic performance, including GPA, will be considered. A GPA of 3.0 and above is preferred. Recent transcripts and an essay are required as part of the online application.
- Applications open: February 1
- Deadline to apply: March 31
- Women's Auxiliary of Crystal Downs Scholarships
- This is a needs-based scholarship. Priority will be given to undergraduate students who have a high financial need.
- Scholarships are available to students who have worked for or whose parents have worked for the Crystal Downs Country Club for one season or longer.
- Two letters of recommendation and a photo are required and should be submitted via the online application by the deadline.
- Previous recipients are eligible to re-apply.
- Scholarships are awarded annually to qualified applicants as determined by the Scholarship Committee. The applicants who have been selected will be notified in July and the awards are presented at a dinner at the end of July.
- Applications open: May 1, 2025
- Deadline to apply: June 30, 2025
Community Partner Scholarships
In addition to Community Foundation scholarships, college-going and college-bound students may be eligible for scholarship opportunities available across the region from our community partners.
- American Association of University Women (AAUW)
The AAUW is a nationwide network of more than 170,000 members and supporters, 1,000 branches, and 800 college/university institution partners. The Traverse City Area Branch of AAUW was chartered in 1954 with the mission to empower and advance equity for women and girls. Various community projects, congenial interest groups, networking with other women’s groups, and issues and topics of interest are all a part of the overall programming offered by the branch. The AAUW Traverse City Area Branch offers three $2,000 scholarships to women.
- Cherryland Electric Cooperative
Commitment to community is one of Cherryland Electric's guiding cooperative principles. Every year they help youth and adults in their service territory as they build the skills that our community needs to be ready to meet future challenges. Cherryland offers three $4,000 ($1,000 for 4 years) college scholarships to high school seniors each year. Selection for the scholarship is based on academics, community involvement, and extracurricular activities.
- Ed & Irene Fleis Education Fund, Inc.
The Ed and Irene Fleis Education Fund was created to increase the number of graduates and encourage people to continue their education or return to a university or trade school and achieve a degree or certification. The student, to be eligible for assistance and/or aid must have a direct lineal connection to the past or present residents in Leelanau County, MI. Eligibility does not require residency, only a direct lineal connection.
- Lake Michigan Credit Union
Established in 1990, this scholarship program honors the legacy of Lloyd F. Hutt, teacher and founder of Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU). Each year, LMCU establishes a question for high school seniors to answer in the form of an essay, and they award fifteen (15) $2,000 scholarships.
- National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a non-profit, non-political organization with a deeply rich history. More than 1,000,000 women have joined the organization since it was founded over 125 years ago. They became members to honor their heritage as well as make a difference in their communities across the country and the world. The DAR has three main goals: promoting Education, Historic Preservation and Patriotism through work in our local communities. Each year DAR awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of higher education in diverse areas of study including history, economics, law, political science, medicine, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, elementary and secondary education, chemistry, math, science and English. Scholarship applications open November 1 each year and remain open until January 31 of the following year.
- TBA Credit Union
The TBA Credit Union offers a variety of scholarship opportunities each year. Click the "Scholarships" tab on TBA Credit Union's website for more information.
- Traverse Area Human Resources Association
Traverse Area Human Resources Association (TAHRA) provides one $2,000 college scholarship annually to a student pursuing a career in Human Resources. Those pursuing an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in Human Resources may apply; both full-time and part-time students are eligible. Application and essay submission opens January 1 and are due by April 1.
The philosophy of the TAHRA scholarship program differs from traditional scholarship programs that reward only the highest level of academic achievement. TAHRA scholarships are awarded based on the applicant’s 500 - 1,000 word essay submission, which conveys their interest and desire to become a human resource professional, what challenges they have faced in life or character traits that set them apart from others seeking a career in this field.
An independent selection committee made up of human resource professionals will select the finalists and conduct finalist interviews during the month of April. The interview panel consists of three HR professionals. In selecting the winners, the committee evaluates the applicants’ essay submission and extracurricular activities. The committee will not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion or national origin. The applicants will be notified of the results in May. - Zonta Club of Traverse City
The Zonta Club of Traverse City works to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. The Zonta Club has three scholarship opportunities available for women.
Questions? Contact Us!
Please reach out to us at scholarships@gtrcf.org or (231) 935-4066.