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Apply for a Scholarship

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 44 scholarship opportunities available for graduating seniors from Traverse City West, Traverse City Central, and Traverse City High School.

Photo: Women's Auxiliary of Crystal Downs Country Club 2023 scholarship award recipients


Scholarship Process Timeline

  • JANUARY 15: Scholarship applications open
  • MARCH 1: Deadline for most scholarships, unless otherwise noted
  • APRIL: Scholarship committees review applications and make recipient recommendations
  • MAY-JUNE: Recipients are notified of their awards over email, at an honors convocation, or at graduation
  • JUNE 30: Recipients return post-acceptance information about their planned college/university/trade school to ensure distribution of scholarship award funds in August
  • AUGUST: Scholarship awards are sent directly to the student's trade school, college, or university of choice
  • DECEMBER 31: Deadline for students to communicate their post-acceptance information to the Community Foundation
  • SEPTEMBER 30 (of following year): Unclaimed scholarships will be canceled if the Community Foundation doesn’t receive information by September 30 of the following year the scholarship was awarded

 


Scholarship Applications Closed for 2024

The deadline to apply for our scholarships has passed. Our applications will reopen in 2025.

Most of our scholarship opportunities can be accessed through the completion of our General Scholarship Application.

Once you submit the General Scholarship Application, you will see a confirmation page with a list of the scholarship opportunities for which you may be eligible. Some opportunities will ask for supplemental information such as letters of reference and essays.

To learn more about each of our scholarship funds, download our scholarship guides:

General Application Instructions


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 our 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: This scholarship is now closed for applications for 2024.

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: This scholarship is now closed for applications for 2024.

National Writers Series Scholarship

  • Eligible writers must be in 11th or 12th grade during the 2023-2024 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: NWS scholarship applications are now closed for 2024.

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: This scholarship is now closed for applications for 2024.

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: TC Track Club scholarship applications are now closed for 2024.

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.
  • One letter of recommendation is required.
  • Deadline to apply: This scholarship is now closed for applications for 2024.

USS Indianapolis/Gwinn "Angel" Scholarship

  • Available to descendants (including stepchildren) of USS Indianapolis CA-35 crew members involved in the tragedy--it's survivors, lost at sea (LAS), rescue and recovery crew, and those who have merited honorary survivor status by the Survivors Organization. Previous award recipients are not eligible. Applicants must attend or be a prospective full-time attendee of an accredited 2 or 4-year college or university. Academic performance, including GPA, will be considered. A GPA of 3.0 and above is preferred. Recent transcripts and two essays are required as part of the online application.
  • Applications open: February
  • Deadline to apply: This scholarship is now closed for applications for 2024.

Women's Auxiliary of Crystal Downs Scholarships

  • Available to students in need who have worked for or whose parents have worked for the CDCC for over one season.
  • This is a needs-based scholarship. Priority will be given to undergraduate students who have a high financial need.
  • Two letters of recommendation are required and should be submitted via the online application.
  • 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.
  • Deadline to apply: Sunday, June 30 by 11:59 pm (please note: all materials, including letters of recommendation, need to be submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for this scholarship)

Questions?

For more information about any of our scholarships, including criteria, application details, and deadlines, please contact us at scholarships@gtrcf.org.