BRCF's summer scholarship application cycle now open to Class of 2025 students

High school students applying during Blue River Community Foundation's summer scholarship application cycle are considered for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Shelby County as long as they meet all of the minimum eligibility requirements.

In addition, applicants are considered for all Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) administered scholarships in which they meet the stated criteria.  

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

Blue River Community Foundation selects one Shelby County high school senior as a nominee for the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Independent Colleges of Indiana on behalf of Lilly Endowment Inc. will make final scholarship selections and notify BRCF of their decision by Dec. 9.

BRCF will notify the recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship by Dec. 20.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is designed to raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana and further leverage the ability of Indiana's community foundations to improve the quality of life of the state's residents.

The scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship eligibility criteria for applicants are:

• Must be a Shelby County resident
• Enrolled in a regionally-accredited Indiana high school
• On track to graduate with a diploma by the end of June 2025
• Intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an accredited public or private college or university in Indiana.

Blue River Community Foundation intends to select students who are unlikely to qualify for other significant scholarship assistance.
Selection of the scholarship recipients will be based on the following:

• Community/school activities: Recipients will have a record of sustained, meaningful, community centered, volunteer service or sustained, meaningful school activity – or both
• Academic commitment: Recipients will demonstrate a strong commitment to academics and will have a minimum 3.5 grade point average, and a minimum 1100 SAT total score or 22 ACT comparable
• Character/Maturity/Leadership: Recipients will be of good character and will represent the Shelby County community in a positive fashion
• Unique circumstances: Consideration will be given for unusual personal, family, or financial circumstances or challenges

BRCF General Scholarship Program

Blue River Community Foundation administers over 100 scholarship funds established by caring and generous donors. Applicants who complete this application in full are considered for all scholarships administered by BRCF for which they are eligible.

For a complete list of these scholarship funds, visit the foundation's website, www.blueriverfoundation.com and review the scholarship resource guide.

Eligibility criteria for scholarship applicants:

• Graduate with a diploma from a regionally-accredited Indiana high school by the end of June 2025
• Plan to pursue a post secondary course of study at an accredited public or private college, university, trade or technical school

Blue River Community Foundation selects students who most closely match the criteria of each individual scholarship as specified by the fund's donor. Selection of the scholarship recipients is based mainly on the following areas, but not limited to this criteria:

• Community service/school activity: A record of sustained, meaningful community/volunteer service or sustained, meaningful school activity – or both
• Academic commitment: Demonstrate a strong commitment to academics and will have a minimum of a “C” average unless otherwise stated
• Character/Maturity/Leadership: Exhibit good character and represent the Shelby County community in a positive fashion
• Financial need: Substantial financial need may be given priority over others (This requirement only applies to certain scholarships where the donor has established financial need as criteria.)
• Unique circumstances: Consideration may be given for unusual personal, family, or financial circumstances or challenges

Deadline to apply for scholarships is Sept. 1.

High school applicants located outside of Shelby County are eligible for a limited number of scholarships through this general application.