Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

Overview

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state. Since the program was first offered in 1998, Lilly Endowment has remained steadfast in its belief that education at all levels is indispensable to the personal, civic, and economic well-being of Indiana’s residents and communities.


The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is a state-wide program administered by local community foundations throughout Indiana. The Community Foundation administers the program locally in coordination with the Community Foundation Alliance (our governing body), and Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) which provides statewide oversight of the program.

The program provides scholarships for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Community Foundation will nominate one student to receive the scholarship.


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Scholarship Cycle Now Closed
The next application cycle will open

Summer 2024

Scholarship Eligibility

Once you have reviewed How to Apply, please review the scholarship criteria below. Once you determine eligibility, click the Apply Now button to begin your application. You can always start your application and return later to complete and submit.

Conditions for the Award

Students named as Lilly Endowment Community Scholars must:


  • Graduate from an accredited Indiana high school and receive diploma no later than June 30, 2024. A high school is considered accredited for purposes of the program if it is accredited by the State Board of Education or by a national or regional accreditation agency that is recognized by the State Board of Education. Although home-schooled students are ineligible to apply for the LECS, students enrolled in accredited online high schools may be eligible. Contact your Community Foundation for more information.
  • Intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at any Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • Select the college or university they will attend prior to May 1, 2024.
  • Apprise the Community Foundation Alliance annually of their academic status while pursuing their baccalaureate degree and of their postgraduate status (education and employment) for at least ten years after graduation.
  • Account for and return to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) any amount of the allocation for required books and equipment remaining at the end of each school year.
  • Refrain from applying for scholarships awarded through the Foundation’s Community Scholarship Program upon notification of award of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.
  • Disclose additional scholarship offers. (When recipients receive additional scholarships, those additional scholarships will be reviewed in order to ensure that each Lilly Scholar receives the full scholarship amount(s) that are due. The amount awarded under the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program may be adjusted to avoid having a scholar’s total award package exceed the Cost of Attendance.)
  • Agree to the conditions outlined in the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Agreement.

Eligibility Requirements

Qualified applicants will:

  • Be a resident of Indiana.
  • Be a graduate of an accredited Spencer County high school by the end of June 2024.
  • Have a minimum 3.75 unweighted cumulative grade point average at the time of application deadline.
  • Have taken either the SAT or ACT (scores must appear on student’s high school grade transcript or must be submitted separately).
  • Be available for an interview with the scholarship committee if selected as a finalist.
  • Apply for the scholarship in only one county.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated on:


Level 1:  Application

  • Academic performance (including GPA and SAT or ACT scores) – 40%
  • School and community activities (including leadership role in activities) - 20%
  • Essay (two essays will be evaluated using the ISTEP writing rubric for writing development and language use) – 25%
  • Special circumstances (i.e. family hardship, disabilities, grief, trauma, illness, financial circumstances, special remarks or achievements and other unique circumstances) - 15%   


Level 2:  Finalist Essay and Interview

  • Impromptu essay (evaluated using the ISTEP writing rubric for writing development and language use) - 40%
  • Interview responses (each applicant will be asked the same pre-determined questions) – 40%
  • Overall impression (including presentation of self, comfort and poise, desire and ability to succeed, character, leadership skills, self-confidence, social skills, thoughtfulness, maturity, and clear articulation of answers) – 20%


The applicant with the highest Level 2 score will be recommended to receive the scholarship.


In the event of a tie, the committee will refer back to the average scores from the Level 1 review.  The recommended recipient will be determined by the highest score from Level 1.


Transcripts

Students should submit their  most recent transcript and test scores directly to the Community Foundation through Parchment or by submitting a request to their guidance counselor.

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