The Branch County Community Foundation (BCCF) recently awarded $47,350 in scholarships to over forty-two area high school and college students representing the four area Branch County and Colon High schools. Scholarships have been awarded from twenty-five different funds within the Community Foundation benefiting educational endeavors promoting careers in engineering, nursing, teaching, business, foreign language and many others.

All Branch County and Colon area graduates, youth or adult, are encouraged to apply for these annual scholarships. Some of the scholarships are renewable based on specific requirements such as proof of continued education, GPA requirements and a scholarship application submitted each year. Students are advised to visit the Branch County Community Foundation website at www.brcofoundation.org later in the year to see what scholarships are available and when the 2011 scholarship deadline will be.

The scholarship process began March 8, when a total of 331scholarships were received by the Community Foundation from students. After reviewing the scholarships for completeness, 73% of the applications were presented to more than thirty area scholarship committee members for their review. The committees met to make recommendations and then presented the scholarship candidates to the Branch County Community Foundation Board of Directors for their final approval in April. Scholarships were presented to the students at each High School awards program. College students receiving scholarships are notified by the Community Foundation staff. Students are required to sign a form indicating acceptance of the scholarship and checks are mailed to colleges as each student directs.

For more information about these scholarships, the application process, how to be a member of the scholarship committee, or to learn more about how you can support the Branch County Community Foundation call 517.278.4517 or visit brcofoundation.org.