Community Foundation of Shelby County Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Community Foundation of Shelby County
Overview
The Community Foundation of Shelby County, a Sidney, Ohio–based nonprofit, manages a network of more than 70 endowed scholarship funds. Each year these funds support roughly 190 individual awards and collectively provide in excess of $105,000 to students from the region. The foundation’s scholarships are designed to reduce barriers to postsecondary education and help recipients pursue degrees or credentials without excessive debt.
Who the scholarships serve
Scholarship opportunities are available to a wide range of applicants, including:
- Graduating high school seniors from Shelby County (and, in some cases, nearby counties such as Auglaize or Mercer)
- Current college students
- Adults re-entering education
- Individuals seeking skilled-trade certificates or associate degrees
Typical award criteria
Recipients are chosen based on criteria set by each fund, which commonly include:
- Financial need
- Academic achievement
- Leadership and community service
- Field of study preferences (for example, nursing, law, engineering, or the arts)
Donor partnerships and examples
The Community Foundation works with local donors to establish tailored scholarship funds that reflect donors’ priorities. Examples of named funds include the Floyd & Marie Shoemaker Memorial Scholarship and the Sidney Moose Lodge 568 Scholarship. Grants are generally paid directly to the recipient’s educational institution to cover tuition or related costs.
Timing and application
Applications are seasonal; for instance, the cycle for high school seniors typically opens in December and closes in February. Specific deadlines and eligibility rules vary by scholarship fund.
Community impact
By matching donor intent with student needs, the foundation strengthens the local pipeline of educated and skilled workers and promotes long-term community vitality through sustained philanthropic support.