The 2027 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is now available in Spencer County through the Spencer Community Foundation. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 147 scholarships statewide, including one in Spencer County. LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the costs of required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. The program, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Spencer County through the Spencer Community Foundation, is open to all Indiana residents who: Graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2027 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2027 Intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana Meet the criteria specific to their local community foundation. Visit the Spencer County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship page for complete information on the application criteria and to apply. Applications must be completed and submitted by Friday, August 14, to be considered. Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria: academic performance, activities and leadership roles, family and personal statement, essays, and interview. Three finalists will be nominated by the Spencer Community Foundation, and their names will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. The scholarship recipient will be notified in December. Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million. More than 5,400 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception. The primary purposes of LECSP are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state. The Community Foundation of Southwest Indiana is again pleased to offer LECSP for its 30th year in Spencer County. “We encourage all eligible high school seniors to apply. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is a life-changing opportunity, and we’re here to support students through every step of the process,” said Melinda Waldroup, Chief Program Officer.

The Spencer County Community Foundation recently distributed $72,880 to 16 local students from its Community Scholarship Program. These scholarships are funded by generous donors who have established a scholarship fund with the Spencer County Community Foundation. This year’s recipients were celebrated and recognized at the Rise & Shine Scholars event with fund founders, recipients, and parents. Congratulations to the Community Scholarship Program recipients! Alieene Vance Memorial Scholarship: Mary Beth Zoglman, Heritage Hills High School Brauns Family Scholarship: Nash Wheatley, South Spencer High School Cornelius R. Collignon Family Scholarship: Miah Rahman, Heritage Hills High School Dale and Marilyn Hasler Memorial Scholarship : Grace Mix, Heritage Hills High School Elisa and Brian Peters Memorial Scholarship : Lexi Lubbehusen, Heritage Hills High School Friends of IU Scholarship : Grace Mix, Heritage Hills High School Friends of Pioneer Scholarship: Tyler Kleaving, Perry Central High School Gene and Christina Schwindel Scholarship: Lexi Lubbehusen, Heritage Hills High School Harold and Thelma Hunter Scholarship : Nevaeh Hayden, Heritage Hills High School Mabel Mason Ryan Memorial Scholarship : Haylee Coleman, Heritage Hills High School Mike Ryan Memorial Scholarship : Briana Walters, South Spencer High School Narl and Hazel Conner Scholarship : Lexi Lubbehusen, Heritage Hills High School Brayden Oxley, Heritage Hills High School  Othmar and Virginia Ringeman Family Scholarship : Rebecca Heeke, Heritage Hills High School Raleigh and Thelma Abshier Scholarship : Caidence Crane, South Spencer High School Randall L. Haaff Scholarship: Juliana Pozos, Heritage Hills High School Briana Walters, South Spencer High School Rockport American Legion Baseball Team Scholarship : Olivia Hall, South Spencer High School Ross Morgan, Tell City High School Juliana Pozos, Heritage Hills High School Spencer County Farm Bureau, Inc. Educational Scholarship : Nash Wheatley, South Spencer High School Spencer Industries Incorporated Scholarship : Marshall Snyder, Heritage Hills High School