Are you a college-bound student? The Grays Harbor Community Foundation can help you get there.
“It’s not too late to apply for a scholarship,” says Cassie Lentz, program officer of the Grays Harbor Community Foundation. The deadline for applying for both new scholarships and renewing any previous award is March 15 and applications are available at all Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties high schools, GHC or on the foundation’s website: www.gh-cf.org.
Continuing the tradition since 2000, last year the Grays Harbor Community Foundation received nearly 349 applications and awarded 235 yearly scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $6,250.
“This year we are pleased to be able to award even more scholarships,” Lentz added.
Grays Harbor Community Foundation scholarships are available to students who graduate from a Grays Harbor or Pacific County high school and are residents (or are dependents of parents whom are residents) of Grays Harbor or Pacific counties. Some of the scholarships were established to provide for students graduating from a particular school, attending a particular college or university (such as Grays Harbor College) or for a particular field of study (such as medicine), but many of them are limited only by a few general requirements.
“One of the unique features of many of the Community Foundation scholarships is that they are open to students at any level of post-secondary studies, and are available to those who wish to return to school or start school after a time in the work force,” says Lentz. “We also have no restrictions on school or field of study.”
In fact, the Community Foundation has broadened its horizons of support by offering vocational scholarships designed for students pursuing something other than a traditional four-year degree. Anything from culinary school to automotive programs qualify for vocational scholarship funding.
There is just one application to be considered for all GHCF scholarships.
The minimum requirements simply stated are:
• Applicants must enroll as a full-time student (12 credits minimum) at an accredited college, university or trade school, and are more likely to be considered if they have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (or its equivalent B average). Beyond meeting these basic requirements, each applicant should exhibit outstanding character, a proven work ethic and the promise of useful citizenship. These more qualitative judgments will be based on the applicant’s personal essay, letters of recommendation and other information provided through the application.
• All previous recipients may request renewal by letter and transcript each year to continue receiving a scholarship (for up to four years).
• Many of the named scholarships are in memory of local leaders and citizens, but some were established as perpetual memorials for family members.
Anybody wishing to apply for a scholarship, make a donation to an already-existing scholarship fund or set up a scholarship, please contact Lentz at (360) 532-1600, cassie@gh-cf.org or P.O. Box 615, Hoquiam, WA 98550.
