The IVCC Foundation scholarship application deadline is Feb. 10, and Donna Swiskoski, administrative assistant and Foundation board secretary, has some advice for students interested in applying.

Swiskoski, who has been working for the Foundation for over 20 years, explained that in previous years, the application was due in mid-March.

However, in correspondence with federal changes that allowed FAFSA’s opening earlier, the Foundation moved the scholarship deadline earlier, as well.

“This new deadline will give myself and the committee an extra month to review applications, so now students will be notified much earlier if they did or did not receive a scholarship,” Swiskoski said.

In order to be considered for any scholarships, students must complete the FAFSA application, write a two-page essay and complete the scholarship application.

The essay must include the student’s education or career goals, school and community service, and financial need circumstances.

All applications must either be postmarked or turned into the Foundation office, Room B-201, no later than Friday, Feb. 10.
Swiskoski emphasized that students only write one essay to apply for any general scholarships and those that student chooses in their field of study.

After all scholarships are awarded, the IVCC Foundation invites recipients and donors to a reception at the beginning of the fall semester. Swiskoski encourages all recipients to attend.

“This is a process where complete strangers help students, so it is nice to put a face to a name, especially when donors have an emotional connection to their scholarship.

Many times, donors have actually become business connections for students in the future.”

According to Swiskoski, 70 percent of all applicants have received awards in the last three years and encourages all to apply.
“Not all Foundation scholarships are just based on need; they are also based on merit. We want to help as many students as we can.”