Free scholarship workshop in Fairfield set for Dec. 19

The Greater Jefferson County Foundation and Iowa State Extension of Jefferson County are partnering to offer a free Scholarship Application workshop to senior/junior students and parents on Thursday, Dec. 19 from 6–8 p.m. at the Jefferson County Extension Office at the fairgrounds in Fairfield.

The event is hosted by members of the Foundation Scholarship Committee and Extension Council/Programming Committee. Topics expected to be covered are: how to properly complete a scholarship application, how to choose a career/college, and more. Copies of scholarships from the Greater Jefferson County Foundation will be available. Students should bring their laptops.

Foundation Scholarship Chair Lori Stever commented that in the past, it was challenging to properly judge applications because of penmanship, content and lack of required information. It is hoped that the workshop will enable students to complete any application properly and also give them assistance for future need. The Foundation itself judges 10 scholarship, while the other 15 are judged by the donors themselves or FHS committees.

Middle School teacher Cory Klehm will also be part of the presentation, and he commented, 'It's a great opportunity and I wish more kids would take that opportunity to fill out that scholarship application…I'll be there that night and I would love to sit with the kids, the kids I had in class and help them prepare the scholarship application.”

Parents and students wishing to attend should call the Extension Office to register at 641-472-4166, or 641-472-0758 or email padget@iastate.edu. A meal will be served so registration would be appreciated.

The Greater Jefferson County Foundation awarded 52 scholarships in 2019 totaling nearly $120,000.00. Deadline for scholarship applications is March 13. Most applications can be found on the Fairfield High School website, or hard copies in the FHS Counselor's Office and all graduating FHS and some Pekin students continuing their education are encouraged to apply.

Scholarships are judged by teachers, principals, donors and the Scholarship Committee of the Greater Jefferson County Foundation, according to the criteria of the scholarship.

Although some scholarship amounts may fluctuate depending on market growth or loss, the majority of scholarships range from $500-$1,000 each, with some scholarships at $5,000 each. With the exception of the renewable and teacher scholarships, all scholarships are for the freshman college term only. Scholarship checks will be mailed directly to the college or university, following completion of necessary paperwork returned to the Foundation office.

The purpose of the Greater Jefferson County Foundation is to act as a vehicle for individuals or businesses to donate funds to a tax-exempt organization that is vitally concerned with the development of progress and enhancement of existing programs and activities in Jefferson County.

The website for the Foundation is www.greaterjeffersoncountyfoundation.org. The Foundation can be reached via email at gjcf0758@windstream.net or via phone at 641-472-0758.