Foundation offers many scholarships

By Sophia Potter
Editor in Chief

When it comes to scholarships, The LCC Foundation has a lot to give – about $1.3 million, to be specific!

“This is the most realistic place to get money,” said Trenton Basner, Scholarships and Operations coordinator.

“At the community college level, it’s very important to have equity and access – especially because there are people coming from such different backgrounds. This can either be their first or last step to achieve their goals.”

The Foundation, which can also be considered the “fundraising arm” of the college, offers funding for any type of student in various categories: Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Services, Technical Careers and General Scholarships are available.

Most of the heavy lifting that commonly makes applying for scholarships overwhelming is taken care of under the General Scholarship model.

“Our whole apparatus for connecting students with scholarships is much different than a university, where there are all sorts of hoops you have to jump through,” Basner said. “Here, it’s an easy one-and-done application.”

There are four broad personal statement questions regarding career and educational goals, personal history, and accomplishments or struggles. Additionally, students can provide information about any community service activities or notable involvement with the college, as well as test scores or financial information.

Every March, trained reviewers from all over the community – organizations, companies, LCC alumni – volunteer their time to match students with the scholarships that best meet their needs based on the “wide swath” of criteria.

“Our donors are giving for everybody,” Basner said, “but they’re especially adamant about funding those things you wouldn’t normally think about, those types of strange maverick ideas.

“We want to fund the gaps.”

According to Basner, over 450 scholarships are available each year and roughly 40% of students who complete an application receive a scholarship. Under the current operating system, every dollar raised ends up in a student’s hands every year.

“With this process, we are giving away every scholarship that we have,” Basner confirmed.

Struggling to start your application? The Foundation – along with CAPCAN and Financial Aid – is here to help! Next Tuesday,  Jan. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m., the trio will host a scholarship workshop to answer any last-minute questions and overcome the fear of the blank page.

“The Capital Area College Access Network is happy to support the Scholarship Workshop,” said Michele Strazs, the executive director of CAPCAN.

“Our network of college advisers and school counselors will be on hand to learn more about the opportunities that incoming LCC students have to apply for scholarships.  Scholarships and financial aid are the gateway for students to be able to afford post-secondary education.”

Learn more about the general scholarship process, get one-on-one help with the General Scholarship or FAFSA, and enjoy some pizza Tuesday, Jan. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Gannon Building room 2214.

For more information, contact Scholarships and Operations Coordinator Trenton Basner at basnert@lcc.edu. The agenda for the Jan. 21 event is listed below: