Scholarships
The Foundation administers more than 100 endowed scholarship funds, each one with a unique purpose. Many of these scholarships were established by donors to honor or remember a loved one.

Browse Scholarships
Adult Re-Education Scholarship
Amy L. McKee-Everett Memorial Scholarship
Ann Waitt Memorial 4-H Scholarship
Ashlee Brooke Spangler Memorial Scholarship
Beckenholdt Family Scholarship
Benjamin Culver Scholarship
Bob Tracy Business Scholarship
Brandon Couch 4-H Beef Project Scholarship
Brandon Couch Perseverance and Leadership Award
Bruce McKinney Memorial Scholarship
Captain Glenn Blaisdell, USMC-Naval Aviator Memorial Scholarship
Cargold Scholarship
Carline Day Scholarship
Carolyn Johnson Scholarship for Tomorrow’s Teacher
Charles K. Wright Scholarship
Chris Sullivan Memorial Music Booster Scholarship
Christine Dowling Scholarship
Christine Schaefer Theatre Scholarship
David Lodwick Memorial Scholarship
Debra L. Plank Memorial 4-H Scholarship
Don Rickett Scholarship
Cargold Scholarship
Dr. Reinhard and Marlise Bubenzer Rotary Scholarship
Earl J. and Irene B. Brooks Scholarship
Lee and Bessie S. Blazer Memorial Scholarship
Captain Glenn Blaisdell, USMC-Naval Aviator Memorial Scholarship
Beckenholdt Family Scholarship
Mary Ash Scott Bardonner Bardes Scholarship
Jim Andrews Scholarship
Patricia Orr Allemeier Memorial Nursing Scholarship
We have scholarships available for graduating high school and current college students who are pursuing either an Associate or Bachelor’s degree or career credentials.
Scholarship Guidebook
The guidebook for 2024 scholarships will be available in November, 2023.
The Scholarship Guidebook is your go-to resource for applying for scholarships. It includes all important dates and events, a detailed list of scholarships, and answers to frequently asked questions.
The guidebook is mailed in November to the homes of all graduating students at the four Hancock County public high schools. The guidebooks are also available through the Guidance Department at each of the four public high schools, the Hancock County Public Library, Work One, and the LINK office.
Dates to Remember
We’ve gathered all the important deadlines and info you need to apply successfully for scholarships. We’ve also included details on scholarship application windows and additional resources to help you make informed decisions about your college education.
Traditional Scholarship Cycle
The Community Foundation of Hancock County scholarship application is open to Hancock County students planning to graduate high school in Spring, 2024 and current college students. Some scholarships are available to students who live outside of Hancock County.
Our scholarships may only be used for undergraduate (Associate, Bachelor degrees or career credentials) and may not be used for Master’s or Doctorate degrees. Please see our guidebook for more in-depth information before registering in our scholarship system.
Application Opens | 12/01/2023
Application Closes | 02/09/2024
Trade and Technical Scholarship Cycle
The Trade and Technology Cycle has been set up for students planning to pursue a trade or technical career who may not have committed to training earlier in the year. Donors established these scholarships to help students with expenses for trade school, associate degrees, or other credentials that would lead to a career in trades or technology.
Students entering the trade and technical field may also be eligible for some of the scholarships in the traditional scholarship cycle as well.
Please see our guidebook for more in-depth information before registering in our scholarship system.
Application Opens | 02/12/2024
Application Closes | 04/12/2024
FAFSA Information
You will need FAFSA information to apply for any scholarship with a financial need component, so make sure to complete your FAFSA before you complete your scholarship applications!
FAFSA Days
Get professional help completing the FAFSA by attending our FAFSA Days:
New Palestine High School | January 30, 2024 | 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Mt. Vernon High School | January 17, 2024 | 2:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Greenfield-Central High School | January 9, 2024 | 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Eastern Hancock High School | January 23, 2024 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Scholarship Awardees
All Community Foundation scholarship recipients will be notified of scholarship amounts. High school senior recipients will receive their award letters and details at their school’s awards program.Additional Resources
Helpful Resources
Want to make your application for scholarships successful? View these resources.
Making the scholarship application process go smoothly starts with gathering all the information that might be needed.
Many Foundation administered scholarships have a financial need component. See the financial need worksheet to determine what information you will need to complete the applications with financial need requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you will fill out the Universal Application from December 1 – February 9 and be directed to scholarships available to current college students.
Each scholarship fund is set up differently to meet the wishes of the founding donor; therefore, each scholarship has its own set of requirements to apply and its own selection criteria. A complete list of scholarship funds with detailed information on requirements and criteria is available in the Scholarship Guidebook.
Many CFHC administered scholarships do not include academic performance as a selection criterion, and there are others that only require that you have a minimum GPA or that your class rank falls within a certain percentage.
Yes, several CFHC scholarships are designated for those who wish to pursue any post-secondary education credential. There is a Trade and Technical Scholarship Cycle with applications open February 12 – April 12.
Scholarships are grants generated from the income earned from endowed (permanent) funds administered by the Community Foundation of Hancock County on behalf of donors. Because grants are determined based on a percentage of income earned, some fund awards equate to unusual dollar amounts and are from $500 to $10,000 and up. Specific amounts for most scholarships can be found in the Scholarship Guidebook.
All CFHC-administered scholarships must be used for billable fees (ie. tuition, required fees, room and board, and in some cases, required course-related expenses such as books, supplies, fees, and equipment) unless otherwise outlined in scholarship descriptions in the Scholarship Guidebook. We encourage its use for non-taxable purposes including tuition and required fees.
All CFHC-administered scholarships are one-time scholarships unless outlined in the scholarship amount on scholarship descriptions in the Scholarship Guidebook.
CFHC policy requires scholarship checks to be sent directly to the eligible educational institution* in which the scholarship recipient enrolls. For most scholarships, this information is provided by the recipient on the recipient information form. Checks will be mailed in July.
*Eligible educational institutions are those whose primary function is the presentation of formal instruction that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities. It is also accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation agency.
CFHC’s Scholarship Policy states that scholarship recipients must utilize funds in accordance with the purposes and conditions of the grant during the academic year immediately following their scholarship award. “Gap years” or interruptions between the award of the scholarship and the beginning of post-secondary education in the following academic year will cause the recipient to forfeit the scholarship. For multi-year scholarships, scholarship recipients must continue their education without interruption to maintain scholarship qualification. Special exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis.