In a pair of press releases issued Monday, Glen Oaks Community College (GOCC) announced that applications are open for several scholarships. They include the 2020-21 Presidential and Dean Scholarships as well as scholarships from the Glen Oaks Community College Foundation. Specific eligibility requirements apply to some of the scholarships.

The Presidential and Dean Scholarships are available to 2021 graduates from any public or private high school St. Joseph County. It is also open to public high school graduates in GOCC’s broader service area, which includes Cass County residents who attend high schools in Three Rivers, Constantine, or White Pigeon, as well as Branch County in Michigan and LaGrange, Elkhart, Steuben, and St. Joseph Counties in Indiana.

To be eligible for a Presidential Scholarship of up to $4,000 per year, students must have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5. To qualify for the Dean’s Scholarship, the minimum GPA is 2.0, and awards are available for up to $2,000 per year. The GPA requirement must be met after the first semester of the student’s senior year. Once awarded, both the Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships are renewable for a second year.

There are limitations on how many of each scholarship will be awarded. One student from each of St. Joseph County’s high schools will receive a Presidential Award, Director of Financial Aid Jean Zimmerman said. One will also be awarded to a private high school student, and two will be awarded to students at other schools in the GOCC Service Area.

Zimmerman said two Dean’s Scholarships will be awarded at each of St. Joseph County’s high schools. Two will be awarded for private high school students, and two will be awarded to students elsewhere in the GOCC service area.

For more information on the Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships, prospective applicants must visit the financial information page on GOCC’s website. Applications will be due at the GOCC Financial Aid Office by 4 p.m. on March 1, 2021.

GOCC Foundation Scholarships are available under a variety of categories. They include program specific awards for art, athletics, business, health sciences, human services, and sciences. Each has its own eligibility requirements, which can be viewed in detail on the Foundation Scholarships webpage. The human services category includes a broad range of nursing program scholarships, each with its own parameters and requirements.

There are also 13 various scholarships that are not necessarily affiliated with specific study programs, but that are awarded from various funds, charities, and supporters. Some are industry specific, while others make awards for things like leadership or academic achievement. On the Foundation Scholarships website, they fall under the “general” category.

The GOCC Financial Aid Office is reachable to answer general questions about scholarships and other assistance programs at 269-294-4260. Its office hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, as well as from 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

For anyone wishing to establish a scholarship fund through the GOCC Foundation, or wishing to contribute to an existing fund, Executive Director Vonda Marrow is reachable at 269-294-4384 or email at [email protected].

Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.