Applications for IVCC scholarships will open from Thursday Feb. 6 through March 6. With more than 300 scholarships offered for the 2025-2026 academic year, ranging from $500 to $4,500.
“These scholarships are designed to help students succeed financially,” said Donna Swiskoski, IVCC’s scholarship specialist. “The foundation is here to support students.”
Students can apply using AwardSpring, the new online scholarship platform IVCC has decided to partner with. The application process will have three main areas: why the student is attending IVCC, their field of study and goals, and their financial/personal circumstances. Both Monroe and Swiskoski strongly encourage students to apply, even if they are uncertain about their eligibility.
“Apply, apply, apply,” emphasized Susan Monroe, IVCC’s alumni and donor relations coordinator.
Students will be able to access the application on Feb. 6 through the foundation page on IVCC’s website. AwardSpring will allow students to submit one application which will automatically match them with IVCC scholarships that fit their criteria. Students can save their progress, return to change or update their answers, and track scholarship communications through the platform.
Swiskoski explained that eligibility can vary depending on the donor’s criteria. “Donors create specific criteria for their scholarships,” she said. “Some focus on fields of study… GPA… others have more general criteria to help more students.”
Some scholarships may cover expenses other than tuition, such as books, transportation, or housing. Both full-time and part-time scholarships are available.
The IVCC scholarship program started in 1976 with a donation of $100,000 from Helen Taylor, a retired teacher from Peru. Today, there are 125 donors who help fund the education of IVCC students. In the 24-25 academic year, 408 students applied and 261 were awarded scholarships which totaled $234,000.
For more updates and descriptions of the scholarships, visit the IVCC Foundation website at https://ivcc.edu/foundation/foundationscholarshipshome.php.