The Community Foundation is pleased to share that scholarship applications are now open for 2025/2026 and encourage students to apply as soon as possible. The priority deadline is March 17th.

For over 40 years the Community Foundation has provided scholarships and in recent years the focus is on student success and degree completion versus one-time awards.

“While applying for scholarships may seem daunting, foundation scholarships are intended for all students, at any level, pursuing various types of post-secondary education including the trades and certifications,” said Jessica Flann, Program Officer for Post Secondary Success.

“Our scholarship application process is designed to be accessible to all students, from all backgrounds and educational levels. We don’t want students to worry if they haven’t been involved in a lot of traditional extracurricular activities. We consider a wide range of experiences, including life lessons, family responsibilities, and personal achievements. Our short answer questions are easy to answer,” said Jessica. Students don’t need to write a long essay or have prior scholarship essay writing experience to complete the application.

The Community Foundation’s scholarship philosophy focuses on long-term student support and success. As part of this philosophy, the Foundation may invest in fewer students overall but awards are larger, renewable and the Foundation stays with each student through graduation.

To be even more intentional with support, scholarship staff like Jessica are focused on supporting high priority students to overcome challenges and barriers that could derail their college journey.

Because earning a post-secondary credential involves many costs beyond tuition and books, foundation scholarship donors understand this and are determined to help. The Douglas and Elda L. Webb Scholarship Fund and the Alexander & Celestine Lamere Fund are two examples of scholarships that not only help students get into post-secondary programs but also provide financial assistance for the unforeseen challenges. These challenges are things such as transportation, rent, or program-specific supplies.

For 2024, 158 students received scholarships totaling over $480,000. “Whether you’re aiming for a 4-year college, a trade school, or a community college, we encourage any interest student to apply,” says Jessica. The Foundation believes that every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their educational goals.

To apply, visit the Foundation website and access the 2025/2026 scholarship application at stclairfoundation.org/scholarships. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Jessica at [email protected] or by calling 810-984-4761 if you have any questions. Apply today and take the first step towards achieving your educational goals!