College scholarships for Appalachian students

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This is by no means a complete list. Please feel free to add information on other scholarships available to our young Appalachian scholars.

Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (appalachianohio.org), a charitable organization that works to promote educational opportunities in the 32 Ohio counties in the Appalachian region, offers a number of scholarships. The Ora E. Anderson Scholarship is awarded to students committed to environmental protection and conservation, while the Ariana R. Ulloa Scholarship Fund goes to students pursuing degrees in international studies. The organization also funds several scholarships for graduate students, including the Zelma Gray Medical School Scholarship, given to students pursuing a medical degree in the hopes that they will return to practice medicine in the Appalachians.

Appalachian College Association

The Appalachian College Association (acaweb.org) offers scholarships to students attending a college in the Appalachian region, including Berea College in Kentucky, Tusculum College in Tennessee, the University of Charleston in West Virginia, and Ferrum College in Virginia. The Barbara Paul Robinson Scholarship, funded by a New York attorney who did pro bono work in the Appalachians, is given annually to a college student who plans to become an attorney and to give back to the region. The National Science Foundation funds scholarships for Appalachian college students studying the natural sciences, technology, engineering or math.

West Virginia PROMISE Program

West Virginia's PROMISE scholarships are given to high-performing students who stay in state for college. To be eligible, students must graduate from high school with a 3.0 GPA and earn an SAT score of 1020 or higher. They must maintain strong grades in college to keep the scholarships. Students who have been active in community service groups during high school are more likely to win the awards; administrators say they expect at least 20 hours of unpaid service during high school and college.

Federal Grants

Many Appalachian residents are also eligible for federal grants for educational expenses because of their dire financial need. Pell grants, for example, are awarded by the federal government to undergraduates or vocational students from low-income families. As of 2010, Pell grant recipients were granted a maximum of $5,550 a year for tuition. Undergraduates with exceptional financial need are also eligible for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Priority is given to students who have already received a Pell grant. As of 2010, this grant provided up to $4,000 in tuition assistance per year.

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1. Berea College: Scholarships and Awards for Residents or Service in Appalachia

http://catalog.berea.edu/2014-2015/Catalog/Academics/Scholarships-Awards-and-Prizes/Scholarships-and-Awards-for-Residents-or-Service-in-Appalachia
Berea College
Berea, Kentucky
Scholarships and Awards for Residents or Service in Appalachia

James Sterling Ayars Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Awarded annually to a student of high character and scholarship with financial need. Preference given to students from the mountains of eastern Kentucky or western North Carolina.

J. E. Bach Scholarship for Breathitt County, Kentucky

Awarded annually for up to four students graduating from the high schools of Breathitt County. May be renewed for students making satisfactory progress.

George L. Bagby Scholarship-Loan Fund

Provides scholarship-interest free loans to juniors and seniors from the Appalachian region.

Julia Drukker Stammer Fund for Volunteer (Appalachian) Service

Provides grants to students who participate actively in existing volunteer programs, or establish new action programs where there is an identified need, to improve the quality of life of individuals or communities of the Eastern Kentucky portion of the Appalachian region.

Clifford Ralph Hartsog Memorial Award

Awarded annually to a deserving student from Ashe County, North Carolina.

J. Woodford and Florence Stephens Howard Memorial Scholarships

Provides aid to Kentucky students on the basis of academic performance and financial need. Preference is given to students from the Kentucky counties of Floyd, Breathitt, Magoffin, and Morgan.

Francis S. Hutchins Robinson Mountain Fund Scholarship

Awarded annually to a rising junior or senior from one of the eastern Kentucky counties served by the E.O. Robinson Mountain Fund. The recipient must demonstrate academic excellence and have made significant contributions to the College as demonstrated by good citizenship and labor record.

Thornton A. Lemaster Scholarship Fund

Awarded to worthy Kentucky students, preferably from Jackson and Morgan counties, on the basis of need.

Ernest Edwin “Hennie Hunt” May Scholarship

Provides a scholarship for an Appalachian student on the basis of academic excellence and financial need.

J. D. McFerron Endowment for Student Assistance

Provides educational funds and assistance to worthy students from Rockcastle County, Kentucky.

Robert and Rosa Osborn Student Aid Fund

Provides grants to several worthy students each year on the basis of financial need. Preference is given to students from the Cabin Creek area of Lewis County, Kentucky.

Weatherford-Hammond Appalachian Prizes

Awarded to encourage research and writing on Appalachian subjects.

Virginia Palmer Widener Memorial Child and Family Studies Award

An annual scholarship providing financial assistance to a Child and Family Studies major. Preference given to students from the counties of Lee (Kentucky) or Washington (Virginia); or the city of Bristol, Virginia.

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2. Ohio University: Appalachian Scholars Program

Appalachian Scholars Program
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio
Link: http://www.ohio.edu/omsar/appalachian/

What is Provided

The Appalachian Scholars Program provides the following:

· A four-year renewable scholarship;

· An annual book stipend;

· A summer pre-matriculation program;

· Academic support seminars;

· Funding to attend an approved professional conference in the junior year;

· A residential learning community; and

· Technology and research training.

Requirements & Selection
To be considered, applicants must:

· Be academically talented as indicated by standardized test scores, grade point average, and class rank.

· Participate in an Appalachian Scholars Program interview.

· Demonstrate financial need with and Expected Family Contribution (EFC) result of $8,000 or less as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

· Reside in one of the following Appalachian counties in Ohio: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington.

· Attend the Athens campus.

After students apply to the university, their application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are reviewed to see if they meet the eligibility criteria (after February 15th). Those students are sent a program description and application packet, which consists of an essay, two letters of recommendation and a personal profile form. After completing the application, prospective students will be invited to attend a scholarship interview. The scholarship selection committee reviews the applications and selects final candidates based on their application packet, academic credentials, and interview; the scholarship recipients are then notified of their award.