Last updated Feb. 3, 2020
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is pleased to announce that we are now accepting scholarship applications for the 2020-2021 school year. CFSEK is home to more than a dozen different scholarship funds established by local residents, businesses, and organizations to help area students pursue a postsecondary education.
Each CFSEK scholarship has its own eligibility requirements. A brief description of the requirements for each is included below. For a full list of all requirements, see each scholarship’s application form on the For Scholarships page.
Most applications are due by the end of March, but some must be returned to the Community Foundation by March 15th, and some are returned to organizations other than the Community Foundation. Be sure to read the instructions included in each scholarship application carefully before completing or submitting it.
Good luck, students!
Bill House Hereford Foundation Scholarship
Mr. Swain William (Bill) House had a passion for agriculture and the cattle industry and wanted young people to have an opportunity to earn a career in agriculture. His legacy will continue through the Bill House Hereford Foundation Scholarship Fund, established to support students pursing an agricultural-related degree.
Basic Eligibility
- Major: Applicants must be majoring in an agricultural field of study, such as agribusiness, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal sciences, conservation, feed science, veterinary medicine, or another similar major.
- GPA: Recipients are required to have earned a 2.5 or higher GPA at the time of application and for the first semester of college study to receive funds for the second semester.
- Deadline: Applications must be postmarked, delivered electronically, or hand delivered no later than March 15.
Commerce Bank Scholarship
The Commerce Bank-Pittsburg Scholarship is awarded to one graduating senior each from St. Mary’s Colgan High School and Pittsburg High School. The student must be pursuing further education by enrolling full time at a 4-year college or university.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be a graduating senior of St. Mary’s Colgan High School or Pittsburg High School.
- GPA: Applicants must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 and a minimum ACT of 23.
- Enrollment status: Applicant must be planning to enroll full time at a 4-year college or university.
- Deadline: Applications must be received or postmarked no later than March 31.
Craig Crespino Memorial Scholarship
The Craig Crespino Scholarship was established in 2006 in memory of Craig Crespino, a successful educator and high school coach. The many donors who have given to the fund hoped help keep Coach Crespino’s spirit alive by recognizing students who demonstrate the potential to follow in his footsteps.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be a graduating senior of Girard High School or St. Mary’s Colgan High School.
- GPA: The student must maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4-point scale.
- Enrollment status: The student must carry a minimum of 12 hours each semester in an academic program.
- Deadline: Applications must be received no later than March 31.
Daniel & Jeannette Minnis Oral Health Scholarship
The Dr. Daniel and Mrs. Jeannette Minnis Oral Health Scholarship was established in 2008 in honor of the Minnis’ commitment to improving the health and well being of citizens of southeast Kansas.
Basic Eligibility
- Enrollment status: Applicants must be third-year students enrolled in the pre-dental program at Pittsburg State University.
- GPA: The student must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- Need: The student must exhibit financial need.
- Volunteering: The student must be willing to volunteer 10 hours per semester at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Dental Clinic or at Accent Dental Clinic.
- Deadline: Applications must be delivered electronically, hand-delivered, or postmarked no later than March 31.
Gabriel John Ison Memorial Scholarship [NEW 1/30/20]
As alumni of St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools (SMC) and Pittsburg High School (PHS), Gabriel’s family has established a scholarship in his memory to support graduating St. Mary’s Colgan and Pittsburg High School seniors pursuing higher education with a specific interest in studying Business or Education.
The Gabriel John Ison Memorial Scholarship awards one $1,000 scholarship to a SMC graduating senior and one $1,000 scholarship to a PHS graduating senior.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be a graduating senior from St. Mary’s Colgan High School or Pittsburg High School with an interest in Business or Education.
- GPA: Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Enrollment status: Recipients are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester in an academic program.
- Activities: Applicants will be required to show involvement in activities.
- Application format: All applications must be typed.
- Deadline: Applications must be received by the Community Foundation no later than March 31.
Get Busy Livin’ Scholarship
The Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ Foundation was established in 2011 to provide support for individuals or groups that embody the values that Dylan pursued: adventure, fitness, curiosity, generosity and a daily zest for life.
Scholarships are awarded to high school graduating seniors attending Pittsburg, St. Mary’s Colgan, Frontenac, Girard, Northeast, or Southeast high schools that have shown through their actions excellence in academics, school and community involvement, athletics, or the arts, and a general desire to create self character and leadership.
In addition to receiving a GBL Scholarship, some recipients will be selected to be the GBL Volunteer Abroad representatives to travel internationally during the summer following graduation. The individuals will participate in the Cross Cultural Solutions High School Volunteer Abroad Program.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be a graduating high school senior currently attending Frontenac, Girard, Northeast, Pittsburg, St. Mary’s Colgan or Southeast.
- Enrollment status: Applicant will be required to carry a minimum of 12 hours each semester in an academic program.
- GPA: The student must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Deadline: Applications must be received no later than March 15.
Haberbosch Family Scholarship
Several members of the Haberbosch family lived and grew up in Moran, KS and graduated from Marmaton Valley High School (MVHS). It was the wish of Audrey Haberbosch Ellmer, 1948 graduate of MVHS, to establish a scholarship to carry on the family name. The Haberbosch Family Scholarship shall be awarded to two graduating seniors of Marmaton Valley High School in Moran, KS.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be graduating seniors at Marmaton Valley High School in Moran, Kansas.
- GPA: Recipients are required to have earned a 3.5 GPA at the time of application. In addition, a successful applicant must earn at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for the first semester of college study to receive funds for the second semester.
- Enrollment status: Applicants must show acceptance into a university or community college program at the time of application.
- Deadline: Applications must be postmarked, delivered electronically, or hand delivered no later than March 31.
Joe & Margarita Sauer Scholarship
The purpose of the Joe & Margarita Sauer scholarship is to provide $1,000 in scholarship(s) to selected Girard High School graduating senior(s) pursuing higher education who have shown excellence in academics, school and community involvement, athletics, or fine art achievements.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be a graduating senior at Girard High School, Girard, KS.
- Enrollment status: Recipients are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester in an academic program. Recipients must provide proof of enrollment prior to release of funds.
- GPA: Recipients must maintain a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average for the first semester of college study to receive funds for the second semester.
- Application format: All applications must be typed.
- Deadline: Applications must be postmarked, delivered electronically, or hand delivered no later than March 31.
Larry & Regina Weaver Scholarship
Larry and Regina, PSU alumni, dedicated their careers to education. Regina retired after a 30 year career as an educator with USD 250, and Larry was a 20-year PSU employee as an application developer. This scholarship seeks applicants who have shown excellence in academics, school and community involvement, and service to others. Preference will be given to those who have demonstrated caring and compassion toward others.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be graduating seniors from Pittsburg High School or St. Mary’s Colgan High School.
- Enrollment status: Applicants must enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester in an academic program at Pittsburg State University.
- GPA: Applicants must have a GPA of 3.2 or above. They must also maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher during the first semester to receive funds for the second semester.
- Application format: All applications must be typed.
- Deadline: Applications must be postmarked, delivered electronically, or hand delivered no later than March 31.
M.L. (Lee) & Noretta Caldwell Education Fund Scholarships
The M.L. (Lee) & Noretta Caldwell Education Fund offers three distinct scholarship programs, one each for students of Fort Scott Community College, Labette Community College, and Neosho County Community College.
Basic Eligibility
- Residency: Applicants should be from southeast Kansas, with preference to students from Neosho County School District #101 (Erie & St. Paul); Crawford County (Girard, Southeast, Northeast, Frontenac, excluding Pittsburg); and students from Labette and Bourbon County. Students from Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma may also apply.
- Field of study: Applicants must be pursuing a degree program studying business, science, technology, or teaching.
- GPA: Applicants must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in the previous semester is required for renewal of funds.
- Need: Financial need will be considered in awarding the scholarship.
- Application submission and deadline: Applications must be submitted to the LCC Foundation, FSCC Foundation, or NCCC Foundation, as appropriate, by March 31.
Pat Forbes Scholarship
The Pat Forbes Scholarship was established in 2005 by students, colleagues, and friends of Pat Forbes upon his retirement as principal and former teacher and coach at St. Mary’s-Colgan High School. This scholarship opportunity provides scholarships to encourage and support postsecondary education at an accredited postsecondary educational institution.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be graduating seniors of St. Mary’s Colgan High School.
- GPA: Applicants must have earned at least a cumulative 3.5 GPA.
- ACT score: Applicants must have scored at least a 25 on the ACT.
- Exclusion: The class valedictorian is not eligible for this scholarship.
- Deadline: Applications must be received no later than March 31.
Short Fine Arts Scholarship
The Short Fine Arts Scholarship was established in 2007 in memory of Nicholas and John Patrick Short. This scholarship opportunity is designed to encourage young people in their pursuit of artistic excellence at the college level.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be a graduating senior of Pittsburg High School located in Crawford County, Kansas.
- Major or minor: Applicants must be planning to major or minor in the arts, art education, or an art-technology field. Examples of qualifying programs include studio art, illustration, vocal or instrumental music, theatre, dance, graphic design, and photography. First preference will be given to students majoring in such a program.
- Deadline: Applications must be received no later than March 31.
Stacy Goedeke Memorial Scholarship
Stacy Goedeke was raised on a small farm in southeast Kansas. When she was not in school, she participated in various 4-H activities. In 2008 she graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Milling Science. The value of hard work that Stacy learned on the farm was evident in the way she approached her career. Stacy wanted to be the best she could be no matter what challenge was in her path. She worked tirelessly toward that goal until her unexpected death in 2017 at the age of 31.
During her life, Stacy always felt that the objective criteria used by most scholarships caused students with non-classroom skills to be overlooked. She believed that students should be rewarded for investing time not only in school, but also for engaging in and improving their world through community outreach programs such as church and 4-H. Objective standards also ignore students who are committed to earning their college degrees despite enduring adversities not generally faced by college students, such as the death of a close relative, medical or mental illness, or substantial economic hardship.
This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Stacy Goedeke.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be a graduate of a Kansas high school.
- Enrollment status: Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time or part-time at Kansas State University with a declared major of Milling Science.
- Priority considerations: Preference may be given to students satisfying additional criteria. Please review the scholarship application for more details.
- Deadline: Applications must be postmarked, delivered electronically, or hand delivered no later than March 31.
Tyler Jeck Scholarship [UPDATED 2/3/20]
The Tyler R. Jeck Scholarship was established in 2012 to continue Tyler’s dream of helping others. Tyler, a well-respected and much-loved member of the class of 2010, attended St. Mary’s Colgan from Kindergarten through graduation.
This scholarship recognizes St. Mary’s Colgan students who have maintained a 3.0 GPA, been involved in at least one school co-curricular activity each semester for two years, and reflect the shared values with Tyler of friendship, acceptance of others, faithfulness, academic drive, and responsibility toward one’s family, friends, school, church and community.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be graduating seniors at St. Mary’s Colgan High School.
- GPA: Applicants must have mantained at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Activities: Applicants must have been involved in at least one school co-curricular activity each semester for two years.
- Deadline: Applications must be received no later than March 31.
Vinylplex, Inc. Scholarship Application
Bill Coleman was a proponent of education and his community. As the former President of Vinylplex, Inc., he established the Vinylplex Scholarship Fund to encourage and support the children of Vinylplex employees and students residing in the Pittsburg area to pursue postsecondary education.
Basic Eligibility
- Residency: Applicants must be residents of Pittsburg or the surrounding area.
- GPA: Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA at the time of application.
- Enrollment status: Applicants must be enrolled or plan to enroll in an accredited postsecondary educational institution at the time of application.
- Preference: If all applicants are equal based on eligibility criteria, then preference will be given to the children of Vinylplex employees.
- Deadline: Applications must be postmarked, delivered electronically, or hand delivered no later than March 31.
William J. Sollner Family Scholarship
William “Bill” J. Sollner was a 1943 graduate of Crawford County Community High School. Following training as a naval aviator and time in the naval reserve ready, Bill’s life was filled as a “teacher, journalist, playwright, puppeteer, and gadfly”. Bill returned to Arma in 1991 where he lived until his death in 2017.
The purpose of the William J. Sollner scholarship is to provide Northeast High School students who have talent and initiative but may not have financial resources to pursue a degree. Scholarship funds will be distributed from the William J. Sollner Family Scholarship Fund through the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be graduates of Northeast High school USD #246.
- GPA: Applicants must have earned a GPA of 2.5 or higher in high school. In addition, recipients must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA for the fall semester or will not receive the scholarship the following semester.
- Enrollment status: Applicants must be enrolled full time in an academic or vocational program in an accredited institution of higher learning. Recipients must provide proof of enrollment prior to release of funds.
- Application format: All applications must be typed.
- Deadline: Applications must be postmarked, delivered electronically, or hand delivered no later than March 31.
William F. Lehman American History Scholarship
The William F. Lehman American History Scholarship is awarded to a recent or past Bourbon County High School graduate. The student must be attending or planning to attend an accredited institution of higher learning as a full time student majoring in history with an emphasis in American history.
Basic Eligibility
- High school: Applicants must be graduates of a high school located in Bourbon County, Kansas.
- Enrollment status: Recipients will be required to carry a minimum of 12 hours each semester in an academic program.
- Major: Applicants must be majoring or planning to major in history with an emphasis in American history.
- GPA: Applicants must have earned at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA in high school, and recipients must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
- Deadline: Applications must be postmarked, delivered electronically, or hand delivered no later than March 31.