Greater Jefferson County Foundation accepting scholarship applications

The Greater Jefferson County Foundation is announcing the 2021 scholarship period. 50 scholarships, including pass-through scholarships, were awarded in 2020, totaling over $115,000.00. The scholarship deadline is Feb. 1 this year.

10 applications can be found at the Foundation's new Scholarship Application website at www.gjcfscholarships.org, and the rest can be found at the FHS High School webpage or hard copies in the FHS Counselor's Office. All graduating students continuing their education are encouraged to apply. Technical school scholarships are included.

Scholarships are judged according to the criteria of the scholarships, which range from medical to agricultural, to business, and music.

Although some scholarship amounts may fluctuate depending on market growth or loss, the majority of scholarships range from $500-$1,000 each, with scholarships like the Perry, Jordan, Ruth Sellars, and Jackson at $5,000 each. Except for teacher or renewable 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. Any amount of donation is accepted.

The main website for the Foundation is www.greaterjeffersoncountyfoundation.org. Email is gjcf0758@windstream.net and phone is 641-472-0758.

The list of current scholarship applications and criteria follows:

Everett & Ella Adrian

Catholic parish scholarship via St. Mary (Fairfield), SS Joseph/Cabrini (Richland/Pleasant Plain) and Holy Trinity (Keota) Parishes. This is a 30-yr scholarship ending in 2022. The scholarship is to go to one graduating senior from each of the above-mentioned parishes.

Sherry A. Champ

This scholarship is to be used for a student pursuing a career in a medical field: Medicine, health services, health occupation; general medicine, or veterinary medicine.

The Dexter Laundry

The Dexter Laundry has provided pass-through scholarships to the Greater Jefferson County Foundation for children of its employees.

The Crystal Group

In 2014, The Crystal Group began their pass-through scholarships to the Foundation and are provided to the children of their employees.

Albregts Family Foundation

In 2019, the Albregts Family Foundation began their pass-through scholarships to the Foundation, also for children of Dexter Laundry employees.

Fairfield Alumni

The scholarship is presented annually based on need, citizenship and academic standing. It is an open scholarship, not limited to any one discipline.

Roman & Evelyn Gevock

Priority is given to a student going into the education or medical field. Scholarship awarded based on financial need, not necessarily grade point average.

John Jackson Instrumental Music

This scholarship has been established to help a current FHS graduate attend a college or university of their choice to major in instrumental music and participate in marching band or concert band at the post-secondary level. Two scholarships are awarded annually.

Jefferson County Pork Producers

The Jefferson County Pork Producers began this scholarship in 1993, specifically for a graduating Jefferson County senior whose grandparents, parents, or they are members of Jefferson County Pork Producers, or in pork production and is pursuing a career in Ag –related field or business.

Scott and Edith Jordan Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship is made available to students who excel in the areas of attitude, motivation, and ability to succeed, with an emphasis on history and political science.

Jim Leyden Memorial Teaching Scholarship

Jim's family has established a scholarship through the Greater Jefferson County Foundation in his name and it has been designed to help any certified staff employee of the FCSD pursue a Master's Degree and will assist with tuition payment, with special consideration to applicants with a family.

Medical Scholarship

The scholarship is an ongoing commitment to an FHS graduate who has shown an interest in the field of medicine or health occupations.

Leo L and Marion M. Nady Ag/Business Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship is to be used in the field of agriculture and/or business.

Leona Nady Music Memorial Scholarship

The emphasis of this scholarship is music.

Nellie T. Neff Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship assists students going into the field of physical education, horticulture, or biology.

Ralph Perry Trust Memorial Scholarships

The scholarship is based on financial need and factors indicating the recipient's promise in pursuing further education or training, including but not limited to, scholastic performance and vocational preferences. Six scholarships are awarded annually.

Grace Roberts Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship is for a student wishing to pursue a career in the field of nursing.

Hazel Scovel Samuelson Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by her sister in 1988, the first of the Foundation's scholarships, to assist graduating seniors in the fields of teaching, other than coaching and physical education.

The Sellars Scholarships

Because of their generous bequest to the Foundation, there are a total of three scholarships offered annually: two scholarships named the Jack Sellars Career/Tech Scholarship, with emphasis on Industrial Technology/Maintenance, Healthcare related fields or Business/Finance, and the Ruth Sellars Open Scholarship which has the emphasis on Activities beyond the school day, and GPA.

Turner Teaching Scholarship

Both Harold and Catherine Turner lived full lives dedicated to education. This scholarship is for the faculty of FHS who is enrolled in a directed program to complete an advanced degree in the field of education.

Jeanne Thoma Memorial Scholarship

Jeanne Thoma was a devoted wife, mother, and educator. Greatest consideration is given to the student's academic ability to complete an educational program beyond high school and their financial ability to pay for continuing education.

Karlena ‘Dub' Thoma Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an FHS student with strong math skills, attending a four-year college to pursue a career in math or related field, and having a strong sense of and a commitment to community service.

Robert and Anna Wiseman Memorial Scholarship

The student should show the ability to succeed at a two or four-year college in their chosen field. The recipient should also demonstrate a sense of commitment to community involvement

Mary Witkosky Scholarship

This scholarship focuses on the recipient's interest in Mathematics and/or Science exclusively.

Zillman Scholarship

The scholarship will assist an FHS graduating senior in advancing their education in the field of conservation, wildlife management, or a related field.