Bill and Cay Harris Scholarship Grant

Bill and Cay Harris Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ashland County Community Foundation
Last Updated: September 23, 2025

Summary

The Bill and Cay Harris Scholarship, established in 2010, supports graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools who demonstrate Christian service and leadership qualities. Funded by the Ashland County Community Foundation, this scholarship aims to assist students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who are accepted to accredited colleges or universities. Preference is given to those majoring in History or Social Studies. Bill and Cay Harris, notable community figures, inspire future generations through this scholarship.

Overview

What We Do The community foundation is like the community’s charitable savings account. We pool resources from community members, invest them and then use them to make grants for the betterment of the entire community. We exist to serve donors, nonprofit organizations and the community as a whole. Donors to ACCF enjoy tax advantages not available to private foundation donors. They also receive professional services without hiring staff. Nonprofit organizations receive grants from community foundations to support their programs and projects. Many nonprofits also establish their own endowment funds with the foundation as a means of investing for the future. We’re also engaged as a community leader. We help set the vision for Ashland County while ensuring charitable gifts are used effectively to meet the community’s present needs and to build a brighter future. Bill and Cay Harris Scholarship The Bill and Cay Harris Scholarship was initiated in 2010 by many friends of Bill and Cay. In 2010, Bill completed sixteen years of service in the Ohio General Assembly, representing Ashland County and surrounding counties as State Representative, as Senator, and as President of the Ohio Senate from 2005 to 2010. Previously, Bill was CEO of Bill Harris Dealerships, a successful family business now operated by his three sons. Bill, a decorated Major in the United States Marine Corps, served 23 years in the military and is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Mary Catherine (Cay) has prayerfully supported Bill’s political career in Columbus. Her community involvement includes a career with the Department of Job and Family Services and volunteering with the Ashland Symphony. Cay’s other interests include the Ashland Garden Club and Precepts Bible Study. Bill and Cay are members of Grace Brethren Church of Ashland. They continue to reside in Ashland, and are parents of 11 adult children, 16 grandchildren, and a growing family of great-grandchildren. The Bill and Cay Harris Scholarship will be awarded to graduating students exemplifying Christian service and leadership qualities.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. This scholarship is to assist graduating seniors of any Ashland County high school (to include home schools) who have a GPA of 2.5 or above and have been accepted to an accredited two or four-year college or university. Past recipients may reapply.