Scholarships

We help local students achieve their dreams.

Share your email address and your anticipated high school graduation year, and we’ll keep you up to date on new scholarship opportunities and application deadlines. Please note: For the majority of our scholarships, applicants must be residents of St. Joseph County.

  • High School
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County has more than 60 scholarship funds, awarding close to a million dollars to local students each year. These scholarships assist low-income students, encourage children of employees to pursue their dreams, and train medical professionals, teachers, engineers, and more.

By applying for any of our flagship scholarships (see list below), students may be eligible for additional scholarship awards. Deadlines for scholarships vary; most are February 15. The deadline for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is September 15. Here’s the link to start the application process:

Online Application System

Our flagship scholarships include:

Charles Martin "Touch a Life" Scholarship

This $5,000 opportunity is for African-American students in St. Joseph County, and includes a $3,750 paid summer internship.

Laidig Community Service Scholarship

This $5,000 opportunity is for students in St. Joseph County, and includes a $3,750 paid summer internship with a local nonprofit.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

This scholarship, administered on behalf of Lilly Endowment Inc., provides full tuition to any accredited Indiana college or university.

For Students

Below, you’ll find a list of our scholarships, grouped by common aspects of eligibility. Scholarships can be used for tuition, required academic fees, and books. Scholarships from the Community Foundation are typically restricted to tuition and required fees. Scholarship and fellowship payments not used for tuition, fees, and course-related expenses such as books and supplies may be taxable per the IRS. You are encouraged to visit the IRS website, complete this short IRS questionnaire, or consult with your tax professional.

Use our Getting Ready for College page: a list of links and tips to help students and parents navigate the college application and financial aid process.

St. Joseph County high school seniors wanting to apply for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, Laidig Community Service Scholarship, and/or the Charles Martin “Touch a Life” Scholarship can apply for these through our online scholarship application system found here. Please be sure to read guidelines and submit all necessary materials for each scholarship you apply for. Please also be aware of deadlines: They vary. Applying for the Lilly, Laidig Community Service or Charles Martin scholarships may also make you eligible for other Community Foundation scholarships.

Charles Martin “Touch a Life” Scholarship

Laidig Community Service Scholarship

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

These scholarships are established by corporations and administered by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County to create educational opportunities for their employee’s children. The following list is provided as a reference. If you would like further information about any of the programs, please email our scholarship staff, or call 574-232-0041.

  • 1st Source Scholarship Fund
  • Big C Lumber Scholarship
  • Laidig Scholarship
  • Robert O. Neeser/Cassady, Neeser & Brasseur Scholarship

8th graders/Incoming Freshman

Sophomores (for support in their Junior and Senior years)

Graduating Seniors

For Donors

Invest in deserving local students: Donate to an existing scholarship fund or create a new scholarship fund. If you currently have a scholarship fund with us, you’ll find all the details about it here:
Alphabetical List of Scholarship Funds

P.O. Box 837, South Bend, IN 46624 | 305 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601 | Phone: (574) 232-0041 | Fax: (574) 233-1906

© 2024 Community Foundation of St. Joseph County. All rights reserved.  Privacy Policy