By filling out one application, local high school seniors could save tens of thousands of dollars in free tuition to the public or private college of their choice.
With some private colleges’ tuition nearing $50,000, that effort could be worth as much as $200,000 over four years.
Applications for the full-tuition Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship are now available online through the Wayne County Foundation.
Two Wayne County students will receive a Lilly scholarship.
In a change of guidelines, the program is open this year to Wayne County residents in the Class of 2024 who have earned a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher by the end of their junior year of high school.
Applications must be completed and submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, to be considered. Full details can be found at waynecountyfoundation.org/lilly-endowment-scholarship/.
Seniors will be evaluated on their statement of future plans, academic performance, extracurricular activities/work experience, recommendations, character essay, community service, financial need and overall impression.
Lilly scholarships cover undergraduate tuition and required fees at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also will receive $900 for required books and equipment.
A few finalists will be interviewed before Wayne County Foundation nominates two to the Independent Colleges of Indiana for final selection.
Wayne County’s 2023 winners were Aubrey Morgan of Centerville High School and Rebekah Stanley of Richmond High School.
A version of this article appeared in the August 9 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.