News & Stories

Over 100 Scholarships Available

[Image description: Two students laughing together while sitting next to each other at a table with laptops.]

More than 100 scholarships are now available through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation that aim to support the secondary education pursuits of graduating high school seniors, current college students, and vocational/trade school students from across the region.

Students from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau County and the sovereign nation of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians are invited to apply by completing the Community Foundation’s General Scholarship Application. The General Application will provide students with a list of scholarships for which they may be eligible. Some opportunities may ask for supplemental information, such as letters of reference or essays.

New scholarships this year include:

Benzie Central Legacy Scholarship - Available to graduating seniors from Benzie County Central Schools that are planning to pursue post-secondary education, including a certificate or degree program at an accredited school.
Dylan Williams Memorial Scholarship - Available to graduating high school seniors from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau County who have a parent that has lost their battle with addiction (note: "losing the battle" can mean jail, institution, or death, and "addiction" can be any addiction—not just drug addiction).
John S.E. Dieckman Husky Scholarship - Available to graduating seniors from Benzie County Central Schools planning to pursue post-secondary education including a certificate or degree program at an accredited school.
Katie Bigelow NP Memorial Scholarship - Available to support single mothers who are enrolled in a post-secondary degree program and reside in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau County. Preference is given to those pursuing nursing or programs in the medical or healthcare field.
Klug Family Baseball Scholarship - Available to graduating student-athletes at Traverse City Central High School who have participated for four years in the baseball program.
Traverse City Central Student Senate Scholarship - Available to graduating seniors at Traverse City Central High School who excel in student leadership as a member of the student senate for at least two years.
Trojan Legacy Scholarship – Available to any Traverse City Central High School Senior student who is continuing with their education after high school.

The Community Foundation also offers several scholarships that require a separate application from the General Application, including the Home Builders’ Association of Grand Traverse Area Scholarship, Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council Scholarship, National Writers Series Scholarships, Northwest Michigan Osteopathic Scholarship, Traverse City Track Club Scholarship, Northwestern Michigan College University Center Scholarships, and the USS Indianapolis/Gwinn "Angel" Scholarship.

Last year, the Community Foundation awarded 238 scholarships to 208 students across the region, totaling more than $434,031. Scholarship applications for 2024 are available online and due by 11:59 pm on March 1, unless otherwise noted. Some scholarships may require a separate application or supplemental materials. For more information, visit www.gtrcf.org/scholarships/apply.

Community Foundation staff are available to provide guidance to students and families on scholarship eligibility; questions are welcome at scholarships@gtrcf.org or by calling (231) 935-4066.