Craig A. Steffen Paraclete Scholarship Grant

The Craig A. Steffen Paraclete Scholarship supports adopted or fostered children with financial need in their pursuit of higher education. Established in honor of Craig Steffen, who overcame his own educational challenges and became a successful marketing director and professor, this scholarship aims to inspire similar journeys. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors or current college students from the Miami Valley who demonstrate financial need and have been adopted or in the foster care system.

The Craig A. Steffen Paraclete Scholarship Fund was created to help adopted or fostered children with financial need begin or continue their higher education. Craig Steffen was an adoptee, who also spent some of his early years in foster care. Growing up, it was never expected that he should go to college, and he had not considered attending, until he was encouraged to do so by others. He received his associate's degree later than most at the age of twenty-nine. He then went on to obtain a bachelor's degree and a master's degree, while working full time. Along the way, supportive people, companies and organizations assisted him with both good counsel and financial help. After starting at ground level and working his way up at Yellow Springs Instruments, he moved on to become the director of marketing at Ohio Willow Wood. Craig eventually started his own strategic marketing company called Paraclete Consulting. Paraclete is an ancient word that means "to come alongside to help." During this time, he also was an adjunct professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, fulfilling a dream to teach. Given his love and respect for teaching, learning and helping others, it seemed fitting to establish this fund in his honor.

Eligibility

Be a graduating high school senior or current college student from the Miami Valley,Be adopted or in the foster-care system as a child,Be accepted to a two-year, four-year, technical school or college or university, andDemonstrate financial need.