Description:
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program will provide one scholarship for 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.
Selection of scholarship finalists is based on an initial application score of 60 points. The scoring breakdown is as follows:
- Academic Achievement and Preparation- 20 points
- Activities, Leadership, Volunteerism, and Work Experience- 20 points
- Essay Responses- 20 points
If you are selected as a finalist, you will be required to appear before the Montgomery County Community Foundation Board of Directors for an interview worth a maximum of 40 points. Independent Colleges of Indiana will make the final scholarship selection and may award one scholarship to a Montgomery County student.
Requirements:
3.85+ GPA, Top 10% of graduating class, Indiana college
AVAILABLE:
July 31, 2025
DEADLINE:
August 28, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Hear From Our 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar:
"I am extremely blessed to have been selected as this year's Montgomery County Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. To be considered, let alone selected amongst a group of such qualified and talented individuals is humbling to say the least. I am grateful to both the Montgomery County Community Foundation and Lilly Endowment for not only believing in me, but entrusting me with such an incredible opportunity. I must acknowledge that this would have not been possible without the guidance and support of my parents, family, friends, counselors, coaches, educators, and above all God. Currently, I am undecided on where I will attend school, but I do plan to pursue business, specifically an accounting degree. Regardless of where the future takes me, I know that I remain committed to giving back to this community and supporting its future leaders. Again, I feel incredibly blessed to have received such an opportunity and I am grateful for all that it means not only for my future, but for my family as well."
- Ava Nunan, 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar | North Montgomery High School
Criteria
- Be a graduate in good standing of a public Montgomery County High School, Montgomery County, Indiana, by the end of June of the year in which the application is filed
- Been accepted to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an accredited public or private college or university in Indiana
- Be a current resident of Montgomery County, Indiana, and have lived in Montgomery County, Indiana, since August of 2023
- You must be ranked in the top 10% of your graduating class and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.85 on a scale of 4.00 after six (6) semesters or nine (9) trimesters
- Must have completed a minimum of six (6) semesters or nine (9) trimesters by the application deadline to be eligible to apply for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship
- You are not eligible to apply for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship if you are an immediate family member of anyone who is currently serving on the Board of Directors, Scholarship Committee, or Staff of the Montgomery County Community Foundation. Immediate family includes one's spouse, parents and grandparents, children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, mother-in-law and father-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law. Adopted, half, and step members are also included in immediate family.
Requirements:
Complete the online Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Application here - due August 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Be prepared to answer the following (500 word maximum):
- Write a personal statement that addresses the following questions:
- What do you intend to study in college?
- Identify intended major, minor and degree sought
- If undecided, share where your interests tend to lie and describe how you are exploring possibilities
- What career to you expect to be prepared for once you attain your degree and what plans, if any, do you have for post graduate studies?
- What has inspired you to take this path?
- Academic achievement aside, what personal qualities do you feel suit you for this career?
Be prepared to answer one of the following essay questions (500 word maximum):
- The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
- Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
- Describe some of your most noteworthy accomplishments that have no connection to academics.
