Our community mourned the loss of two young athletes.
So they gave…
Derek Padilla Scholarship Fund • Lucas Oberkiser Scholarship Fund
What do you love? We can help you create a lasting charitable legacy.
Scholarships
Community Foundation DeKalb County awards scholarships each year
thanks to the generosity of donors who understand
that education is important for a rewarding and successful life.
We award over $200,000 from scholarship funds each year, making it possible to recognize the accomplishments of as many students as possible. Most Community Foundation scholarships support full-time undergraduate study toward a Bachelor’s degree for a current-year high school graduate. A limited number of scholarships are available for work toward an Associate or technical degree.
We awarded the following scholarships in 2025
Aim High Scholarship
(Isaac Hague, Robert And Maria Hughes, Elva A. Tess Likens, And Berta M. Willennar, Helping Hands, Wings of Love)
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival Automotive Scholarship
• Harmony Bonse (DHS)
The Raymond, Luella, & David Aschleman Scholarship
• Kiersten Haynes (EHS)
Master Trooper James R. Bailey Memorial Scholarship
• Lauren Poe (DHS)
The Wayne E. Boyd Scholarship
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
• Graham Blythe (DHS)
Butler Community Daycare BEE Scholarship
• Brooklyn Burley (EHS)
Ben Davis Memorial Scholarship
• Piersten Burley (DHS)
The Bunge Athletic Scholarship
• Sophie Pfister (DHS)
• Luke Seiler (DHS)
Don Wood Foundation Ignite Your Future Scholarship
• Mahlan Dircksen (GHS)
• Addison Ross (DHS)
• Katelyn Joseph
• Will Haupert
• Amy Hanna
• Trisha Merz
• Anton King
DeKalb County Master Gardeners Scholarship
• Kiersten Haynes (EHS)
DeKalb County Community Scholars Scholarship
• Camdyn Woods (GHS)
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
• Marissa Rowe (DHS)
• Emma Smith (DHS)
• Gabriella Gravante (LPCS)
Sarah Jean Eldridge Scholarship
• Camdyn Woods (GHS)
• Mahlan Dircksen (GHS)
Rex Feller Memorial Scholarship
• Isabella Barton (DHS)
Chuck Fifer Memorial Scholarship
• Addilyn Brown (EHS)
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
Harry Fisk Scholarship
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
Doug and Nancy Fites Scholarship
• Mackenzie Targgart (DHS)
Jack & Sharon Hannes Scholarship
• William Kleber
Barbara Herzer Scholarship
• Sophia Jackson (DHS)
Carol L. Hill Memorial Scholarship
• Camdyn Woods (GHS)
Lynn and Josephine Holsinger Scholarship
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
• Paige Fillenwarth (DHS)
• Jessica Hill (DHS)
Verlyn Johnson Scholarship
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
Coach Bill Jones Memorial Scholarship
• Addison Ross (DHS)
Jane Elmira Mullen Kempf Communications Scholarship
• Mahlan Dircksen (GHS)
Jody Kessler Skilled Trades Scholarship
• Harmony Bonse (DHS)
Don Lash Memorial Scholarship
• Isabella Barton (DHS)
Laurie Family Golf Scholarship
•Sophie Pfister (DHS)
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship
• Cord Akey (DHS)
George Stanley and Rose Ilean Means
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
• Addison Ross (DHS)
• Sophia Jackson (DHS)
• Marissa Rowe (DHS)
• Paige Fillenwarth (DHS)
John P. and Louanne Nugen Memorial Scholarship
• Makaelyn Ellison
Dr. Bonell Souder Scholarship
• Lillian Cline (EHS)
Lucas A. Oberkiser Scholarship
• Addison Ross (DHS)
Jessica Otterstedt Memorial Scholarship
• Jessica Hill (DHS)
Derek L. Padilla Scholarship
• Addison Ross (DHS)
• Gracie Pinnington (DHS)
Parker Merit Scholarship
• Addison Ross (DHS)
Walter S. Penfield Scholarship
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
Dr. Keith E. Perry Memorial Scholarship
• Marissa Rowe (DHS)
Winifred Peters Scholarship
• Cyann Lilly (GHS)
Randinelli Family Instrumental Music Scholarship
• Justin Ternet (DHS)
Lukas Rieke Memorial Scholarship
• Easton Ratcliffe (GHS)
Donald Ruegsegger Scholarship For Christian Leadership
• Camdyn Woods (GHS)
• Mackenzie Clark (LPCS)
• Emelly Lamberson (EHS)
• Kate Engelberth (DHS)
Jon Thomas Smith Memorial Vocational Scholarship
• Mackenzie Targgart (DHS)
Sirleine M. Smith Library Science Scholarship
• Kennedy Marquardt
Dr. James P. Spink Memorial Scholarship
• Camdyn Woods (GHS)
Starkey Science Scholarship
• Harrison Richter (HHS)
Warren G. Sunday Memorial Scholarship
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
Tri Kappa Scholarship
• Luke Seiler (DHS)
Walters Family Memorial Scholarship
• Kiersten Haynes (EHS)
Robert And Virginia White Scholarship
• Madison Freeze (GHS)
• Matthias Hefty
• Jayci Kitchen
• Teagan Koble
Pat Zakula Legacy Fund
• Elizabeth Buchs (DHS)
If the scholarship recipient graduated high school in 2025, their school is indicated next to their name in parenthesis.
DHS – DeKalb High School, EHS – Eastside High School, GHS – Garrett High School, LPCS – Lakewood Park Christian School, HHS – Hamilton High School
Scholarship Requirements
Community Foundation scholarships are highly competitive. Scholarship criteria vary based on a donor’s wishes, IRS regulations, stipulations of the Community Foundation as well as coordination with high school and post-high school educational institutions. Applicants may be scored on non-exclusive categories such as GPA, SAT and ACT scores, school activities, community service, financial need, work/internship experiences, and an essay.
Community Foundation scholarship recipients are to limit use of their scholarship funds for IRS qualified educational expenses (i.e. only tuition, fees, and book costs).
Scholarships for Graduating High School Seniors
This website contains application information and forms for scholarships available from several sources. Some of the scholarships are administered and awarded by the Community Foundation DeKalb County; others are administered and awarded by other community organizations. Each scholarship is awarded based on criteria suggested by the donor or the community organization that sponsors the award. Scholarship application forms and procedures vary depending on the award’s donor or sponsor.
Community Foundation DeKalb County Administered Scholarships
Click the button below to be directed to our scholarship program login page. The deadline to apply is January 31st. A wide range of scholarships are available for which you apply by submitting just one application.
DeKalb County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship
This scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree. The recipient must begin their college career as a full-time student in the fall of 2026. They may attend any Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Eligible students will meet all of the following criteria:
- Current resident of DeKalb County
- Graduate of a DeKalb County high school or Hamilton High School before the end of June 2026
- Top 10% of their high school class
- Involved in the community as a volunteer
The application requires an Student Aid Index (SAI) number from the FAFSA worksheet. Financial need is not considered as part of the scholarship evaluation; however, we do still ask that applicants include their SAI number as part of their application. FAFSA ESTIMATOR
APPLICATION/ESSAY RUBIC INTERVIEW RUBRIC APPLICATION SUMMARY FORM
Ready to apply? Click the button below to be directed to our scholarship program login page. The application opens August 1st, and the deadline to apply is August 31st.
APPLY NOW
Scholarships for Current and Non-Traditional* College Students
*You are a non-traditional college student if you are beginning, or began, your college career in a year other than the year you graduated from high school or if you are returning to college after a break in continuous enrollment. Scholarship applications are evaluated using established areas of measurement. Judging criteria are shown in the following essay score rubric (see button below).
Explore our Scholarship Booklet—your free guide to all our scholarships, complete with answers to frequently asked questions and step-by-step application instructions. Download it now to get started on your path to success!
Ignite Your Future Program
The Community Foundation DeKalb County is excited to partner with the Don Wood Foundation as we embark on a two-year pilot program to provide six scholarships to individuals in our community. The applications for the scholarships listed below can be found in our Scholarship Portal. High school students can apply via our 2025 Community Foundation Scholarships application, while there is a separate form for the Graduate Degree scholarship application.
Don Wood Foundation
The Don Wood Foundation is a private foundation, established in 2018 by Don Wood, founder of 80/20, Inc., which serves and supports innovators, leaders, collaborators, and skilled workers with the potential to create and sustain opportunities in manufacturing. The Foundation partners with nonprofits and educational institutions to provide sustained investment that supports the development of a diverse workforce through exposure, education, and training to create strong communities rooted in the advancement of manufacturing.
Associate Degree
Up to $2,500 per applicant per semester
High School seniors (including homeschooled) from DeKalb County who are pursuing a degree in the following fields are eligible:
- Fields related to Industrial Technology and Machine Tool Technology, such as Industry 4.0 – smart manufacturing, industrial automation and robotics, industrial maintenance, precision machining, welding technology, cybersecurity, information technology operations, networking, software development, computer science, design technology, electronics and computer technology, and engineering. (Source: Next Level Programs of Study)
- Fields related to Engineering Technology, such as advanced automation and robotics technology, computer science, cybersecurity, data analytics, design technology, electrical engineering technology, electronics and computer technology, engineering technology, industrial technology, informatics, information technology support, logistics and supply chain management, machine tool technology, manufacturing production and operations, mechanical engineering technology, network infrastructure, smart manufacturing and digital integration, or software development. (Source: Ivy Tech Community College Academic Programs)
- Technology education or technology leadership
- Sales or marketing
- Organizational leadership
- Entrepreneurship
Bachelor’s Degree
Up to $5,000 per applicant per semester
High School seniors (including homeschooled) from DeKalb County who are pursuing a degree in the following fields are eligible:
- Fields related to Engineering and Industrial Technology such as automation engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, industrial engineering, materials engineering, controls engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering design, computer and information technology, automation and systems integration technology, cybersecurity, data analytics, mechatronics, robotics, and industrial informatics.
- Technology Education or technology leadership
- Sales or marketing
- Organizational leadership and supervision
- Entrepreneurship
Graduate Degree
Up to $5,000 per applicant per semester
Adults who live and/or work in DeKalb County and are pursuing a master’s degree or Ph.D. in the following fields are eligible:
- Fields related to Engineering and Industrial Technology such as automation engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, industrial engineering, materials engineering, controls engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering design, computer and information technology, automation and systems integration technology, cybersecurity, data analytics, mechatronics, robotics, and industrial informatics.
- Technology education or technology leadership
- Sales or marketing
- Organizational leadership and supervision
- Entrepreneurship
A free resource for Indiana college bound students and their families to compare college costs among several different schools, complete with estimated aid packages, based on information you provide.
