Thank you for your interest in our scholarship Program. The deadline for our 2008 Scholarship Applications have passed. Check back here in January of 2009 for our 2009-2010 Scholarship Applicaions and Opportunities.

Please Note: Community Foundations serve donors and charitable agencies for the enhancement of their specific service areas. Guidelines prohibit us from using funds for non-residents of our service areas. Residents of other areas should consult their local Community Foundation for scholarship opportunities.

Grand Haven Area Community Foundation
To view descriptions of 2008 scholarships available to students in the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation service area (Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg and counties along the Lakeshore for the West Michigan Nursery and Landscape Scholarship and the Dake Community Manufacturing Scholarship) click here.

Allendale Community Foundation
To view 2008 descriptions of scholarships available to students in the Allendale Charter Township click here.

Coopersville Area Community Foundation
To view 2008 descriptions of scholarships available to students in the Coopersville service area click here.

Scholarship Application Tips and Suggestions for Completion

• Carefully read each scholarship description and apply only if you are eligible.
  
• Remember - Your scholarship application represents YOU!
  
• Give your application the time, attention, and preparation that it deserves. Complete all sections.
  
• Read and follow the instructions carefully.
  
• Proofread your work - especially your responses to the narrative question. Check the spelling and grammar. Ask a parent, friend, or teacher to proofread your completed application.
  
• Be honest and be yourself.
  
• Don't be afraid to highlight your strengths and talk about yourself.
  
• Watch Deadlines - financial aid offices and scholarship personnel adhere to them!
  
• After you submit your online scholarship applicatioin, you must print out a copy attaching your most recent transcript and page one of your SAR report that contains your EFC. Mail or bring this to the Foundation Office before the March 9, 2007 deadline.
  
• Make a copy of the application for your file.
  
• Ask for help if you need it.
  
  
  Responding to Scholarship Narrative Question
  
  The Narrative may be the hardest part of your application to complete. It is also where you can stand out from the crowd. The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific. Include details about yourself so the reader can get to know who "you" are and what you stand for. Be truthful and honest. The scholarship selection committee has hundreds of essays to review. It is YOUR job to get their attention. Here are tips that may help you:
  
  
• Think before you write. Brainstorm to generate some good ideas, then create an outline to help you get going. Make sure to address specific questions clearly. If you have overcome an obstacle to achieve your goals, or are facing a special circumstance, the selection committee wants to know about it.
  
• Be original and be creative in your answers. Show, don't tell. Use examples to individualize your responses. Demonstrate the point you want to make. Avoid vagueness to make a strong impression.
  
• Create a portrait of a winner. By doing this on paper, you create a vivid portrait that will depict the person behind the grades, activities and awards. If a judge feels like he or she knows you, you have done your job and created a powerful emotional connection that elevates your application, makes it stand out from others.

  How are Scholarship Applications Judged?
  
  The scholarship selection committee pays special attention to the following:

• Academics - It may be important to have a competitive GPA; however, they may consider how challenging your course load and school are. They will also check to see if you are taking the right courses to reach your goals and how well you did in those courses.
  
• Leadership - If this is part of the criteria for an award, committee members may examine your activities in this area and they may also look for a range of leadership roles you have played.
  
• Service - Community and volunteer service is a key component in many awards and committee members will be interested in what service you have provided to your school, community or church. They may look at activities that go above and beyond the required service job.
  
• Creativity - You can show your creative side, if you play an instrument, write stories, paint, act, etc. Demonstrate your ability by highlighting awards you may have won.
  
• Financial Need - The SAR (Student Aid Report) of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Form provides this important information.
  
• Special Circumstance - If you have overcome an obstacle to achieve your goals, or are facing a special circumstance, the selection committee wants to know about it.