Rush County Community Foundation Scholarship Opportunities

The RCCF has more than 80 scholarship funds that have been established by generous donors. Since our first scholarship funds were distributed in 1995, more than $3.6 million in local scholarship awards have been given to Rush County students. The amount we award annually continues to grow because of donors and our investment strategy.  Because our funds are “endowed” (permanently invested), Rush County Community Foundation scholarship funds will give money to local students forever. Rush County residents pursuing higher education at an accredited university, college, or trade school, part-time or full-time, are eligible to apply for scholarships.

How to Apply for RCCF Scholarships

To apply for any of the Rush County Community Foundation Scholarships, you must be:

• A resident of Rush County. Residence is defined by maintaining a permanent address in Rush County or being claimed as a dependent by a Rush County resident. A small number of RCCF Scholarships are open to non-residents; this is indicated on the Scholarship Cover Pages.

• Intending to begin or continue coursework in post-secondary education within the calendar year of the application deadline.

Helpful Tips: To make the application process quicker and easier, it is recommended that you do some preparation in a Word document, Google Doc, etc. Here is a document containing the sections and information that will be required to complete the online application. It will benefit you to create a document that contains each of the sections, one through twelve, and have them saved. You can then easily copy and paste them into the online application in the required field. (These are the same questions that have been used in the past, so if you are a current college student, you probably already have them saved.)

Get Started Early: There is a “save” function, so you can return at any time. Plus, some scholarships you are eligible for may require additional questions. You won’t know what those are until you submit your initial application. Don’t wait until the last minute.

You may choose to review the individual scholarship cover pages, but the online application will use your answers to choose the scholarships for which you are eligible.

ADDITIONAL REQUIRED INFORMATION

In addition to the online application, you will need to provide:

• Class Rank and Class Size (if you are a current high school senior)

• Cumulative Grade Point Average

• Diploma/Degree Type

• Electronic copy of IRS Form 1040, page 2 OR WHICHEVER PAGE shows ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME for tax year 2023 (2022 if 2023 is not yet available) for the parent(s)/guardian(s) who claimed the applicant on taxes for that year. Legal Dependents may have their tax return. (For those of you who have applied for scholarships from the RCCF in the recent past, the College Cost Estimator is no longer available, hence the change in the method of reporting.)

• Copy of your SAR (Student Aid Report) from your FAFSA filing that lists EFC (Expected Family Contribution)

• Students will be given additional instructions if the scholarships they qualify for require additional essays or uploads.

DUE DATE: Complete and apply, along with any supplemental requests (such as essays, letters of recommendation, etc.) by  FEBRUARY 15th, at 11:59 PM.  (The LECS is due September 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM)  If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at info@rushcountyfoundation.org

Coleman-Lower Scholarship

The committees of the Ora T. and Dessie H. Lower Memorial Scholarship Fund and the William S. and Lillian R. Coleman Fund are now taking applications from undergraduates for the scholarship grants. Any Rush County student who is pursuing higher education and training beyond high school is eligible to apply. Applications may be obtained from the counselors at Rushville Consolidated High School, Knightstown High School, and the administrative offices of Rush County Schools. An online application is available on the Rush County Schools website and the RCHS website. All applications must be completed online or returned to the Administrative Offices of Rush County Schools, 330 W. 8th Street, Rushville, Indiana, 46173, no later than April 1st. All students, including former recipients, must reapply each year for consideration. Scholarships are available to undergraduates only.

Mr. and Mrs. Lower were prominent members of the farming community and distinguished leaders of Homer. Dr. and Mrs. Coleman were distinguished community leaders of Carthage and Rush County. The separate Lower and Coleman wills provided significant funds for the education of Rush County youth. Since the first awards were made for the 1968-1969 school year, scholarships totaling more than $6,602,868 have been awarded to Rush County students. Last year, approximately $205,225 was awarded to 108 students. This amount varies from year to year according to interest on investments. According to the stipulation of the wills, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Indianapolis, administers both scholarship funds, with local persons serving on the selection committees. The Scholarship Committees meet annually to review all the applications received before April 1. Scholarships are then distributed on or before Dec. 31 each year.

Any students of Rush County who are pursuing higher education and training beyond high school are eligible to apply. Scholarships are available only to undergraduates. All students, including former recipients, must reapply each year for consideration.

Be aware of the following dates:

April 1: Applications are due online or to Rush County Schools Administrative Offices, 330 W. 8th St., Rushville, IN 46173. Office hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

July 31: Scholarship decisions are made by the committees, and notices are mailed to the award recipients from JPMorgan. Responses will be required to obtain the scholarship.

Nov. 1: Responses to the notices are due. Proof of enrollment for the upcoming school year must be received by Nov. 1. Mailing instructions will be included in the award notices sent out in the summer.

All applicants must include their GPA. Incomplete applications will not be considered; fill in all blanks or initial N/A.

Rush Shelby Energy Scholarship

RushShelby Energy is pleased to announce a scholarship program. Students graduating from high school this May can apply for one of two $2,000 scholarships from the electric cooperative. Students must be the child of a RushShelby Energy member, residing in a home served by RushShelby Energy electricity. Applications will be judged on scholarship, citizenship, and school activities. Each application must also include a 750 to 1,500-word essay. All scholarship requirements and essay information can be found in the application below.

The deadline for scholarship applications is April 14th.

Fill out the online form. The online Scholarship Application form should be filled out by the student, and the online Scholarship Academic Information form should be filled out by a Principal, Guidance Counselor, or School Official.

Operation RoundUp – Luck of the Draw

Operation RoundUp will be awarding four $2,000 scholarships at the end of the annual meeting. Luck of the Draw will award scholarships to qualifying students.

Qualifications:

• Applicant must be an active RSE member or a dependent or legal ward of an active RSE member.

• Applicant must be a student enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school.

• Graduating high school seniors and students up to 26 years old may enter to win.

• RSE employees, directors, and ORU Trustees and their families are not eligible to win.

• Winners of the RushShelby Energy Scholarships or past winners of Luck of the Draw are not eligible to participate.

To enter and complete the application. Bring your application and supporting documents to the annual meeting and visit the Operation RoundUp booth to be entered to win. Applications will be accepted until 7 pm. Winners will be announced at 7:15 pm and must be present to win.

Community Foundation of Hancock County Scholarship Opportunities

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. 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. 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.

Indiana Farm Bureau Scholarship Opportunities

Indiana Farm Bureau cares about the future of our farming communities and those who will be - and are already - involved in the agricultural industry. We sponsor or co-sponsor several scholarships for college-bound youth, current college students, and individuals seeking to enhance their careers in agriculture. We also give grants to members and county Farm Bureaus seeking to extend their education outreach in their communities.

We're excited to support the next generation of agricultural leaders through our diverse scholarship programs. Available to high school seniors and college students in four-year universities or two-year vocational programs, these opportunities could help fund your education. Plus, many county Farm Bureaus and districts offer additional scholarships in their regions! County Farm Bureaus have a wide variety of scholarships available for high school seniors. Some Farm Bureau districts also offer scholarships to students in their multi-county region. Eligibility requirements, application periods, and award amounts vary. Fillable applications are posted in the winter or spring of the current school year. The majority of county and district scholarship applications are included in our online application portal.

Purdue University College of Agriculture Scholarships

The College of Agriculture has several scholarships available for prospective students as well as undergraduate students currently enrolled in the college. We award approximately $2.5 million in scholarships each year to the undergraduate students in the college, made possible by the generous support of our Alumni and Friends. The College of Agriculture is well known by and invites applications from students who participated in FFA and 4-H.  We encourage applications from students of all backgrounds and experiences who can demonstrate scholastic excellence, civic or citizenship engagement, and character and leadership development.

Scholarships are awarded using a holistic review of information provided on the scholarship application. Scholarships from the College of Agriculture are competitive. Awards are based on criteria, and student credentials and information presented at the time of application and are nonnegotiable. Purdue does not match offers from other institutions and does not consider requests for aid.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. With the 37th class in 2025, the Foundation has provided over 7,000 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $87 million in educational support. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship. The 2026 application (for high school students graduating in the 2025-2026 academic year) will open on August 1, 2025. The 2025 application cycle is closed.

Beacon Credit Union Scholarship Program

Five $2,500 scholarships to be awarded to Beacon Credit Union Members entering their freshman year at college, university or technical school in the fall.

Submissions will need the following:

• Application

• Current transcript

• Completion of the essay prompt

Explain how the environment in which you were raised has shaped you as a person. Give us a specific example of how you have contributed to your community and how you applied the credit union's philosophy of "People Helping People."

For additional questions, email marketing@beaconcu.org

Indiana Association for College Admission Counseling Scholarship

Please complete the following application to apply for the Indiana Association for College Admission Counseling (INACAC) Scholarship. To apply, you must:

1. Have a completed application.

2. Be a high school senior entering an Indiana College or University in the fall.

3. Submit a letter of recommendation.

4. Complete the essay prompt. 

If you have questions about the process, please contact our Scholarship Committee at inacacscholar@gmail.com

Xperience Ag Inc. College Scholarship

Scholarship applications will be accepted until March 1st. Applicants must be planning to pursue a degree within an agricultural field of study and currently reside in the state of Indiana. This nonrenewable scholarship will be awarded to one recipient for $1,500.00, which will be paid after enrollment is verified.

Next Generation Hoosier Educator Scholarship Application

The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship provides high-achieving high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in education the opportunity to earn a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 each year for four academic years. In exchange, students agree to teach full-time for five years at an eligible Indiana school or repay the corresponding, prorated amount of the scholarship. Sponsored by the Commission of Higher Education, scholarships of up to $40,000 are available for aspiring teachers.

• Summit Salon Academy Scholarship

  • Cosmetology Scholarship

• Indiana ADA Scholarship

  • Student wishing to major in an area associated with ADA compliance (education, engineering, architecture, medicine, physical therapy, et al)

• Clyde and Virginia Wintin Memorial Scholarship

  • For residents of Manilla Community or descendants of Manilla residents

• Phi Beta Psi Sorority Scholarship

  • For seniors pursuing medical technology, medical lab technology, radiology technology, cytotechnology, nuclear medicine technology, diagnostic medical sonography, oncology, molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, biomedical engineering, medical physics, and/or epidemiology

• Future of Carthage Hidden Gem Scholarship

  • Available to seniors living in Ripley Township

• Nancy Bell/Rush County Extension Homemakers Scholarship

  • Eligibility includes study in the field of FACS, Child Development, Family Studies, Dietetics, Food Science, Hospitality Management

• Tri Kappa Associates Scholarship (Vocational Scholarship)

  • To be eligible, students must be accepted in the fall at an accredited post-high school vocational, technical, or trade certification program leading to licensing

• Tri Kappa Sate Scholarship

  • Awarded to a senior with enough dual credits equivalent to a college sophomore

    One of three scholarships offered: Academic, Fine Arts, or Fine Arts (teaching)

• St. Mary School Scholarship

  • Any senior who attended St. Mary School from grades 1-6

• Kiwanis Club of Rush County Scholarship

  • Available for students planning to go to college

• Indiana Sheriff's Association Scholarship

• Gilbert Joyce Scholarship

• Eagles Scholarship

• Rush Memorial Health Foundation Scholarship

• Federation of Teachers Scholarship

• Rush County Chamber of Commerce Volunteerism Scholarship

• Rotary Cyral Turner Scholarship

• Rushville High School Alumni Association Award

• Psi Lota Psi Sorority Scholarship

• Optimist Club Scholarship

• New Salem Lions Club Scholarship

• Milroy Alumni Association Scholarship

• Knightstown BPW Scholarship

• Kappa Kappa Sigma Medical Scholarship

• Elks Scholarship

• INTAT Scholarship

• Rush County Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Award (For juniors only)