Students

Scholarships

Scholarship Program

The community foundation offers a wide variety of scholarships for students like you, provided by the generosity of local donors. Whether you are a high school senior, a current college student, or a non-traditional student we work with donors to help people like you take the next step in your education.

Timeline

Applications AvailableApplications DueDecisions Announced
November 1, 2024February 15, 2025April, 2025

First time applying?

All applications must be submitted through our online system.

  1. Create an account.
  2. Take an online eligibility assessment to match you with scholarship opportunities. *The eligibility assessment is available from November 1st to February 15th.
  3. Fill out the application(s) and submit!

Take the Assessment

Already have an account?

If you already completed the eligibility quiz, login to the scholarship portal to:

  • complete scholarship applications
  • check the status of an application
  • complete assigned follow up forms

If you already completed the eligibility quiz from a prior scholarship season, contact the scholarship department at 785-823-1800 or at scholarships@gscf.org to re-open your quiz and update your information.

Login Here

Current Scholarship Funds

The Ottawa County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation which manages scholarships for itself and other affiliate foundations.  Students in this area may also qualify for scholarships from the following community foundations:

The John and Olive Cornellisson Scholarship Fund

  • Students graduating from a high school in USD 239 or 240 school district attend an accredited college, university or accredited technical school in the field of agriculture or vocational training.

Greater Salina Community Foundation:

Alma Olson & Michael T. Olson Scholarship

  • Students attending or planning to attend North Central Kansas Technical College (Beloit or Hays campus) pursuing a building trade degree

Coyne Family Scholarship

  • First-generation college student whose parents are immigrants

Donald A. Smischny Educator Scholarship

  • Kansas high school seniors, students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs, or current professionals pursuing a teaching career at USD 327 in Ellsworth, Kansas.

Frances E. Curtis NAACP Scholarship

  • Graduating high school seniors or a graduate from a high school located in Dickinson, Ottawa or Saline Counties, with ties to NAACP-Salina

Hale Family Sunflower Promise Scholarship

  • Graduating community college students planning to attend a 4-year post-secondary institution in Kansas

Jody Fredrickson Nursing & Health Scholarship

  • Graduating senior or graduate from a high school within the Dane G. Hansen Foundation service area, which is defined as the 26 counties in northwest Kansas north of I-70 and west of I-135/Hwy 81 who are pursuing a major in nursing or another health related field. Preference will be given to students who are a graduate of or who are qualified from Decatur Community High School- Oberlin, KS.

Kansas Federation of Republican Women Scholarship

  • Any Kansas registered Republican female college student entering at least her junior year or that is attending graduate school at a Kansas college or university with a declared major of Political Science, History, Public Administration, Healthcare, Law or Education

Kurt Budke Scholarship

  • Students entering their sophomore year or above in college who plan on attending Louisiana Tech University, Oklahoma State University, Washburn University, or Wichita State University.

Mary Olson & Viola Olson Gustafson Scholarship

  • Students attending or planning to attend Cloud County Community College, Concordia, KS, to obtain a degree in nursing or a related medical field

Marcella Dowling Oakes Art Scholarship

  • For students qualifying for graduation from a high school within the service area of GSCF or its affiliates with an intended major in an art field including, but not limited to visual arts, fine arts education, digital/graphic arts, architecture or design.

Orpha J. & Ernest Milbradt Scholarship

  • Any Kansas graduating high school senior attending Kansas State University or the University of Kansas

Community Foundation for Cloud County:

Cloud Ceramics Masonry

  • Students attending a post-secondary masonry or building trades program at a Vo-Tech, Technical College or Community College

Pauline & Richard A. Cook Family Scholarship

  • North Central Kansas sophomores in college attending Cloud County Community College, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University or the University of Kansas

Questions?

Contact Meagan Nuessen, Director, Ottawa County Community Foundation