Berrien Community Foundation Launches Scholarship Application
Scholarships are available for high school seniors, adults returning to the classroom and students pursuing careers in the trades
Berrien Community Foundation’s scholarship application is now available online for students pursuing higher education during the 2025-2026 academic year. Applications are due February 1, 2025.
“Many of our applicants are juggling jobs, extra-curricular activities or family responsibilities,” said Berrien Community Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “By offering one common application online, our goal is to help as many students as possible by offsetting their higher education costs. We want to set students up for success by having less student loan debt.”
Berrien Community Foundation (BCF) offers more than 50 scholarships. Last year, BCF awarded more than a half million dollars to local students. To begin the scholarship application process, visit www.berriencommunity.org/scholar. Applications are due February 1, 2025.
New to the BCF family of scholarships this year is the Brian Swiger Memorial Scholarship. Established in 1996 by Twin City Players in memory of former TCP member Brian Swiger, this scholarship (up to $1,500) is earmarked for seniors graduating from Berrien County high schools who have demonstrated a strong interest in theater-related activities during their academic careers. Recipients, however, can use the award money to pursue any field of study at any accredited college, university, trade school or arts education institution.
Scholarships are available to current high school seniors, early/middle college students, current college students, adults returning to the classroom and students going into the skilled trades. Additionally, scholarships are available primarily for Berrien County residents; however, some opportunities are also available for Hartford High School graduates as well as students living in Cass, Van Buren and St. Joseph counties.
For a full list of scholarships or to apply, visit the Berrien Community Foundation website at www.berriencommunity.org/scholar. The Berrien Community Foundation scholarship site also includes links to other local scholarships to help students.
Decisions will be announced in late spring.
For more information, visit www.berriencommunity.org/scholar, email Berrien Community Foundation Program Officer Sharnae Hudson at sharnae@berriencommunity.org or by calling 269-983-3304. If you are interested in starting a scholarship, please contact BCF President Lisa Cripps-Downey at 269-983-3304.
Berrien Community Foundation is a center of philanthropy in Berrien County, holding endowments and other funds to support programs and projects throughout Berrien County. These community foundation funds support the ever-changing needs of Berrien County now and into the future. The foundation provides grants and scholarships, and helps individuals develop funds and endowments focused on specific interests or agencies they feel are worthwhile to create their individual charitable legacy through life-end giving and estate planning. For information about BCF call (269) 983-3304 or visit www.berriencommunity.org.
