Scholarship opportunities for local students

by Phil Hanson, Truman Heartland Community Foundation, President & CEO

     We are in the middle of Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s (THCF) scholarship season, with the February 24 due date for most of our scholarships coming up fast. We hope that you will encourage any graduating high school seniors or current undergraduate and graduate students in your life to apply by visiting www.thcf.org/scholarships.
     Many of our scholarships utilize the General Application. Students complete one basic application and are automatically matched to more than 50 scholarships they might be eligible for. By reviewing the matches and submitting the requested supplemental information, such as essays or letters of recommendation, students can apply for multiple scholarships with one application.
     There is no limit on how many scholarships a student can apply for, but both the General Application and all the supplemental information for each scholarship the applicants are matched to must be submitted by the February 24 deadline. We recommend that students get started on the application process soon to ensure they have enough time to complete all the requirements for each scholarship they are matched with.
     There has been tremendous growth in scholarship funds at the Foundation over the years. Between 2018 and 2022, scholarship awards increased more than 157% to a record-setting high of more than $740,000 last year. With the addition of 18 new scholarship funds in 2022, we anticipate another record-setting year for scholarships in 2023.
     I find the growth in our scholarship program remarkable but not surprising. In a time when extreme polarization of opinions on many different topics has become the norm in our society, we find that many different people from a variety of walks of life care deeply about supporting students and their educational and career aspirations. Earning a college degree opens many doors, but students often take on enormous debt to reach their goals. 
     Scholarships offer students a way to offset some costs, making students’ educational dreams an attainable reality. We are grateful to be able to help fundholders make meaningful gifts and help local students meet their educational goals—it truly is a win for everyone.
     Rachael Watkins is our Director of Scholarships, and she can be reached at 816-912-4185 or watkins@thcf.org if students have any questions about applying for our scholarships. Contact Vice President of Advancement Cole Eason at 816-912-4182 or eason@thcf.org if you are interested in learning more about establishing a scholarship fund with THCF.