Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s online scholarship application is now open. The application opened January 1, 2013, and may be completed by any Kent County area student pursuing higher education. The application deadline is April 1, 2013.

Completing the Community Foundation’s General Scholarship application puts a student in the running for over 60 scholarships, which range from $500 to $5,000 in award amount. The average award given is $1,500. Scholarships can be used toward schooling at any college or university. The application is an online process and can be accessed at www.grfoundation.org.

Many scholarships awarded by the Community Foundation are based on financial need. In accordance, students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for the need based scholarships. The FAFSA requires both parent and student income information and is filed at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

In 2012, the Community Foundation awarded over 500 scholarships totaling $844,000. It is expected that 2013 will be the first year that the Community Foundation’s scholarship awards will exceed $1 million dollars.  Ruth Bishop, education program officer and scholarship administrator, stresses that Foundation scholarships are not just for high school seniors but are available for undergraduate and graduate students, too. In fact, 60 percent of last year’s scholarships were awarded to students already in college.

In addition, this year two new scholarships have been added. The Darooge Family Scholarship is for students entering school to pursue an undergraduate degree in a construction-related field of study. The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship is for students of color pursuing a major in fine arts, including visual and performing art. A full list of scholarships is available on the Foundation’s website.