Blue Grass Community Foundation Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Questions about Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply for a scholarship?
Blue Grass Community Foundation offers more than 25 scholarships and each has its own eligibility requirements. The majority of scholarships offered are for graduating high school seniors, however, there are a few scholarships available to current undergraduate students and graduate students. Most scholarship are offered to student who reside across Central and Eastern Kentucky. While some scholarships are strictly academic/merit-based, most are based on financial need and will consider both merit and need. Click here to access the list of scholarships offered at BGCF. After submitting the Common Application through the online scholarship portal, students will automatically be matched with scholarship for which they are eligible.
Do I have to attend a college in Kentucky?
No. For most scholarships, you may attend any academically accredited college or university in the U.S. However, there are a few scholarships for which attending college in Kentucky is specified in the eligibility criteria.
Can I apply for a scholarship if I don’t know where I’ll be going to school?
Yes. If undecided about where you will be attending, you are asked to list your top three choices in the Common Application.
I don’t have the best grades. Can I still be considered for a scholarship?
Yes. While some scholarships are strictly academic/merit-based, most are based on financial need and emphasize the student’s essay and financial situation more heavily in the review process.
Are scholarships only for high school seniors?
No. While the vast majority of the scholarships are offered to graduating high school seniors, there are some scholarships for current undergraduates and graduate students.
I’m planning to go to a two-year community college. Can I still apply for a scholarship?
Yes. Many scholarships offered are for students who plan to attend a two- or four-year college.
I don’t live in Kentucky. Am I eligible to apply for a scholarship?
In most cases Blue Grass Community Foundation scholarships are open to Kentucky residents only. The few exceptions are: 1) Murry Foundation Scholarship for students in Lancaster County, PA; 2) Jennifer Leigh Soper Scholarship for students with Cystic Fibrosis who reside anywhere in the U.S., 3) MacLellan Education Scholarship for children of MacLellan employees in the U.S., and 4) Thomas B. Bright, Jr. Scholarship for children of employees of companies that are members of the Kentucky Propane Gas Association who reside in any state.
2. Questions about the Application Process
How do I apply for a scholarship?
Applicants must apply online by using the Blue Grass Community Foundation’s Scholarship Portal
- Step 1: Register with the BGCF Scholarship Portal
- Step 2: Complete the Blue Grass Community Foundation Common Scholarship Application
- Step 3: Get automatically matched with scholarship you qualify for
- Step 4: Complete all supplemental information required for each of your matched scholarships
When will the scholarship application be available?
The online application opens November 4, 2022.
When is the deadline to apply for a scholarship?
Unless otherwise noted, the application deadline is March 6, 2023 by 11:59 pm (EST).
What documents do I need to complete the application?
In general, most scholarships will require the below documentation:
- Most recent academic transcript
- Résumé that includes your extracurriculars, work experience, volunteer activity, and/or community involvement
- Student Aid Report (SAR) sent to you after submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- A letter of recommendation from a friend is required only for one scholarship, the Monica Combs Memorial Scholarship
Will I be required to write an essay?
Yes. All scholarships require at least one or two essay questions. In some instances, the essay prompt is the same for multiple scholarships. The essay is a way for the review committee to get to know you better and you are encouraged to share your personality and unique perspective.
What happens after I complete the online Blue Grass Community Foundation Common Scholarship Application?
The Common Application is the initial stage of the application process. After you have completed the online Common Application, you will automatically be directed to a Confirmation page that lists the scholarships for which you are eligible. As noted on the Confirmation page, there will be supplemental information required for each scholarship you are eligible for. After you continue through as prompted, you will see the remaining part of the application for the individual scholarship(s) that you have qualified for. In most cases, you will need to submit financial information, upload your Student Aid Report (SAR), upload your résumé, and complete the required essay. Your scholarship application will not be complete until all of the required information has been submitted. If you are not eligible for any scholarship, you will be notified on the Confirmation page that you did not qualify for any available scholarships.
After filling out the Common Application, what if I am ineligible for a scholarship when I think that I am?
If you think that there has been an error and you meet the eligibility criteria for a particular scholarship that you are attempting to apply for, please reach out to Kristen Tidwell, Director of Grants + Scholarships, [email protected] or (859) 721-2347.
3. Questions about the Application Review Process
How is financial need determined?
Blue Grass Community Foundation takes into consideration the applicant’s cost of attendance, Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from the Student Aid Report (SAR), federal and state grants awarded, scholarships the applicant has been awarded from their college, as well as the applicant’s own description of their financial and/or family circumstance.
What do the reviewers look for in winning scholarship applications?
Reviewers score each application according to a rubric based on the eligibility criteria of the scholarship. When specifically reviewing the essay, reviewers are looking for a clear, thoughtful, and honest response that effectively answers the prompt and conveys the applicant’s unique voice, experiences, and perspective. While the reviewers consider the student’s use of grammar, spelling, and organization, an essay need not be technically perfect to receive a top score. For need-based scholarships, the committee reviews the student’s financial data, with special consideration of the student’s own description of financial need.
4. Questions about Notifications and Awards
When will I be notified if I’ve been awarded a scholarship?
Applicants will be notified in May regarding the status of their application.
How much is a scholarship award?
Scholarship award amounts are different for each scholarship. They range from a one-time award of $1,000 to a renewable award of $10,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study.
Are scholarship awards renewable?
Each scholarship is different. While many scholarships offer an award that is renewable for multiple years, some are offered only as a one-time award.
What can my scholarship be used for?
In general, scholarship awards can be used toward the payment of tuition, fees, books, and campus-based room and board.
Where will my scholarship payment be sent?
All scholarship payments will be sent directly to the school’s financial aid office and then applied to your account.
What happened is I move or change schools after I’ve been awarded a scholarship?
You must notify the Community Foundation if you transfer schools, withdraw from school, or decide to defer your education. If you transfer schools, the Community Foundation can transfer your award to your new institution. This applies only if the school and your plans of study still fit the original criteria. If you decide to defer your education, contact [email protected] as soon as possible. It is sometimes allowable to defer your award for one year.
5. Understanding Scholarship Terms
What is the FAFSA?
To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, loans, and work-study, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school.
In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid. Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
What is the SAR?
The Student Aid Report (SAR) is an electronic or paper document that gives you some basic information about your eligibility for federal student aid and lists your answers to the questions on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once your FAFSA has been processed, you will be able to log into fafsa.gov and access your Student Aid Report (SAR). You will have the ability to View or Print your SAR from the “My FAFSA” page.
What is the EFC?
Your SAR will include your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC is a measure of your family’s strength and is calculated according to a formula established by law. The EFC determines your eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant, and colleges use the EFC to assess your eligibility for other federal and nonfederal student aid. The EFC represents the amount you and your family are expected to contribute to your college education for one year.
What is the difference between a one-time scholarship and a renewable scholarship?
Scholarships are either one-time or renewable. A one-time scholarship is awarded for only one academic year and cannot be renewed. A renewable scholarship is awarded over multiple years of study, as long as the recipient maintains specific criteria, such as a minimum GPA, etc.
6. Additional Scholarship Resources
Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) provides many resources for planning for college, including selecting a school and paying for college. The site also provides answers to frequently asked financial aid questions for students attending college in Kentucky. Information regarding the KEES scholarship can be found here.
This is the website used to file the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid.
This is a comprehensive financial aid information website with links to many useful sites. It provides information about loans, special interest scholarships, and fraud prevention.
College Board’s Scholarship Search
This is a college scholarship search databased. This organization also sponsors the SAT and AP exams.
Scholar Snapp and the College Board have partnered to improve the scholarship application experience, making it faster and easier for students to connect to scholarship that will help them pursue a college degree. With a College Board account, Scholars Snapp makes it possible for you to reuse your information – everything from contact details to teacher recommendations, essay, and more – from one application to another.
This website is the largest and most complete source of private sector scholarships available. It provides useful information about to apply for these specialized scholarships.
This is another website that provides a comprehensive scholarship search. There is also an online community for students.