Scholarships and Criteria

The Community Scholarship Program is active from November through June each school year. The information contained on this page is NOT to be considered current at any other time.

The Foundation administers separate scholarship funds established by individuals, families, corporations, and organizations to assist local students in pursuit of advanced education. Together, these scholarships make up our Community Scholarship Program. Eligibility, criteria, and supplemental requirements are different for each scholarship. To apply for one or more of these scholarships, visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for further instructions.

Dessie Mae (Bruce) Griffith Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Allison Bell, Jodie Dawn Huntsman, and Christina Scales in memory of their mother to benefit graduating seniors of Pike Central High School. Dessie Mae was born the youngest of 10 children in September 1945 and she passed away after losing her battle to lung cancer in March 2001.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School with a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) planning to pursue post-secondary education at any accredited college or university.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on applicant's demonstration of good citizenship, personal achievement, participation in school and/or community activities, academic achievement, financial need, and the required essay.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Written essay (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages) describing the most influential person in applicant's life and how this individual has helped the applicant become the person he or she is today and has helped shape applicant's goals for the future.
2.  Letter of recommendation from an individual who is unrelated to the applicant and who is not a Community Foundation board member describing applicant's qualities and attributes.
3.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
4.  Official grade transcript.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $400.

Lawrell Hilgeman Memorial Scholarship/Pike Optimists of Petersburg, Indiana
Annual scholar­ship created by the Pike Optimists in memory of their esteemed member.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduates of Pike Central High School pursuing a degree at any accredited two- or four-year college or university.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Official grade transcript. 
3.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form. 

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.  If you are not currently attending Pike Central High School, please mail or deliver your supplemental documents to the Pike County Community Foundation, 714 Main Street, PO Box 587, Petersburg, IN 47567. 

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $450.

Martha and Marion Klipsch Scholarship
Annual renewable scholarship created by Marion and Martha Klipsch.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School planning full-time enrollment at an Indiana college or uni­versity.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on academic standing, record of community service, and the required essay.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Official grade transcript.
3.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline. 

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $410.

Renewal Details: May be renewable for up to four consecutive years.  Renewal applications may be considered provided the recipient maintains a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) during the first year of education and a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA during subsequent years. Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award. Click here for renewal application.

Otwell School Alumni Association Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by the Otwell School Alumni Association.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School pursuing a two-year or four-year degree at any accredited college, university, junior college or vocational school.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).  Preference will be given to applicants who have a familial or relational connection to the Otwell community (either past or present).

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Two letters of recommendation - one letter from a teacher or school official describing applicant's character and dedication to academic success and the other from an individual who is not a school official/employee, a Pike County Community Foundation board member, or related to the applicant, but who can attest to his or his personal qualities and attributes. 
3.  Statement (not to exceed one typed page) describing your familial or relational connection to the Otwell, Indiana community (either past or present), if any.
4.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
5.  Official grade transcript.
6.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount:  $1,350 

Petersburg First United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Petersburg First United Methodist Church through a generous donation made in memory of Dessie McDade Burton.

Eligibility Criteria:  Graduating seniors who attend Pike Central High School or graduating seniors who are members of Petersburg First United Methodist Church.  Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) and plan to pursue a two- or four-year degree at any accredited college, university, junior college or vocational school.

Selection Criteria:  Selection will be based on applicant's community activities and involvement (20%), leadership skills (20%), need for the scholarship as described in the Unusual Circumstances section of the application form (20%) missions work or service to the community as demonstrated in the written essay (20%), and membership at Petersburg First United Methodist Church (20%). 

Applicants receiving the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, 21^st Century Scholarship, or a similar full-tuition scholarship are not eligible to receive the Petersburg First United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship award.

Supplemental Requirements: 
1.  Written essay (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages) describing applicant's short- or long-term missions experience or similar community service activity, the impact it has made on the applicant's life, and the most important lesson(s) learned.
2.  Official grade transcript.
3.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.  If you are not currently attending Pike Central High School, please mail or deliver your supplemental documents to the Pike County Community Foundation, 714 Main Street, PO Box 587, Petersburg, IN 47567.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.)

Award Amount: $1,330

Petersburg High School Class of 1959 Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by the Petersburg High School Class of 1959.

Eligibility Criteria:  Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who rank in the top third of their graduating class and are pursuing post-secondary education.  Applicants must be planning to attend a two- or four-year college or university in Indiana. 

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on academic achievement, evidence of leadership, character, and school/community involvement. 

Supplemental Requirements: 
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages). 
2.  Two letters of recommendation - one must be from an educator.
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline. 

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.)

Award Amount:  $510.

Pike Central Vocational Scholarship
Annual renewable scholarship created by James S. and Cindy Gaskins.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) planning to pursue post-secondary vocational education.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on applicant's family, personal, or financial circumstances as reported in the "Unusual Circumstances" section of the application form; the desire and ability to achieve aspirations and educa­tional goals; career plans and objectives; and on the required essay.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Official grade transcript.
3.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline. 

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $1,240.

Renewal Details: May be renewable for a second year.  Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award. Click here for renewal application.

Pike County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School planning full-time enrollment at an Indiana college or uni­versity.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on academic standing, record of community service, and the required essay.

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Official grade transcript.
3.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $400.

Schafer Pike County Community Foundation Scholarship
Annual renewable scholarship created by Karl and Elizabeth Schafer.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who are residents of Pike County.  May be used for a two- or four-year program.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on academic standing, leadership skills, character, record of school and community activities, and on the required essay. 

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Two letters of recommen­dation from individuals who are unrelated to the applicant and who are not a Community Foundation board member -one from a teacher or principal and one from an individual of the applicant's choosing.
2.  Statement of Aspi­rations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $2,160.

Renewal Details: May be renewable for up to four consecutive years.  Renewal applications may be considered provided the recipient maintains a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) during the first year of education and a 3.0 cumulative GPA during subsequent years. Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award. Click here for renewal application.

Harrell and LaVern Shoultz Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Harrell and LaVern Shoultz.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who are planning to pursue a degree in agriculture at any accredited college or university.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspi­rations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Official grade transcript.
3.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $1,140.

Vinson Family Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by John and Mary Ellen Vinson.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School with a minimum 2.3 and maximum 3.3 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) pursuing post-secondary education at any accredited educational institution.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on grade point average (40%), financial need (40%), and the required essay (20%).

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Written essay (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages) describing the applicant's excitement at the prospect of pursuing educational goals and aspirations for the future.
2.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions. 
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $1,060.

Dr. and Mrs. William A. Weathers and Betty B. Wyatt Memorial Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Pike Central High School in memory of its former teacher, counselor and prin­cipal, Dr. William A. Weathers, his wife, and their friend Mrs. Betty B. Wyatt. Dr. William A. Weathers was born in Petersburg on October 14, 1912, and was a 1930 graduate of Petersburg High School and a 1934 graduate of Oakland City College. He spent his entire 42-year career in education at Peters­burg High School and Pike Central High School and was active in civic and community affairs. Dr. Weathers retired from education in 1977 but remained involved with Pike County youth until his death in December 1998. Betty B. Wyatt was a teacher for more than 40 years. She and Dr. Weathers worked together as educators for many years. They were both members of the Petersburg Main Street Presbyterian Church, and they were friends.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who have earned a varsity letter in any sport and are planning full-time enrollment in a post-secondary school program (four-year college, two-year college, technical or career college) in the fall immediately following graduation.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Applicants must submit three letters of character reference from individuals who are unrelated to the applicant and who are not a Community Foundation board member-one from a coach, one from a Pike Central High School faculty member, and one from an individual of the applicant's choosing.
2.  Statement of Activities Outside School (not to exceed one double-spaced page).
3.  Statement of Athletic Participation (not to exceed one typed page) describing positive impact of par­ticipation in athletics.
4.  Official grade transcript.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012. (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $1,540.

Winslow Eagles Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Winslow Eagles Aerie #2646.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School planning to attend any accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on financial need/unusual family circumstances (40%), connection to Winslow Aerie #2646 (20%), grade point average (20%), content quality of essay (10%), and community involvement (10%).

Supplemental Requirements: 
1.  Written essay (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages) describing applicant's desire for the award, financial need/unusual family circumstances, career plans, community involvement, and connection to Winslow Eagles Aerie #2646.
2.  Three letters of character reference - one letter should be from a Pike Central High School teacher and the other two should be from individuals unrelated to the applicant.
3.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
4.  Official grade transcript.
5.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $500.

Winslow High School Alumni Association Scholarship
Annual renewable scholar­ship created by the Winslow High School Alumni Association.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School pursuing a two-year or four-year degree at any accredited college, university, junior college or vocational school.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s). Preference will be given to applicants who have a familial or relational connection to the Winslow, Indiana comunity (either past or present).

Supplemental Requirements:
1.  Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).
2.  Statement (not to exceed one typed page) describing your familial or relational connection to the Winslow, Indiana community (either past or present), if any.
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.) 

Award Amount: $790.

Renewal Details: May be renewable for consecutive sophomore, junior, and senior years. Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award. Click here for renewal application.

Darwin and Grace Youngs Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Darwin Youngs.

Eligibility Criteria:  Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School with a cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) ranging from 2.5 to 3.5.  Applicants must be planning to pursue post-secondary education at an accredited college or university and demonstrate financial need. 

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on applicant's financial need and participation in extra-curricular activities such as school or community sponsored clubs and teams, student government, performing arts, sports, church or community service, employment, and unusual family responsibilities. 

Supplemental Requirements: 
1.  Written essay (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages) describing applicant's most rewarding extra-curricular experience and the skills gained and/or lessons learned from his or her involvement. 
2.  Completion of the "FAFSA4caster" and submission of your "FAFSA4caster" Entry page and College Cost Worksheet page showing your calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  Visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for additional instructions.
3.  Official grade transcript.
4.  Community Scholarship Program Certification Form.

Submission Instructions: Submit your application form electronically and deliver your supplemental documents to your high school guidance counselor by the application deadline.

Application Deadline: By Noon on January 16, 2012.  (If this date falls on a holiday or weekend, the application is due the preceding weekday.)

Award Amount:  $930.

Consideration for the following scholarship requires completion of a separate application form as indicated. See "Contact for Application and Deadline."

Melba Jean Racener Scholarship
Open only for renewal applicants in 2011-12 school year
Annual renewable scholarship created through the estate plan of Melba Jean Racener.

Eligibility Criteria: Graduating seniors of any accredited high school whose home residence is in Daviess, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, or Warrick counties in Indiana. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) and be planning to pursue post-secondary education in advertising, marketing, communications or a related field. 

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on academic performance and financial need, with preference given to applicants who demonstrate active participation in extracurricular activities, especially as they relate to the applicants' major. 

Contact for Application and Deadline: The Vanderburgh Community Foundation in Evansville, Indiana, 812.422.1245.  Click here to be redirected to the Vanderburgh Community Foundation's website for more information, the application form, and deadline.