Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

Funder: Lilly Endowment Inc., administered by Community Foundation of Morgan County

Program Since: 1998

Geographic Scope: Morgan County, Indiana (part of statewide Indiana program)

Primary Purposes:

1. Help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana
2. Increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play
3. Encourage and support scholars to engage with each other and Indiana leaders to improve quality of life

Award Details:

• Coverage: Otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment
• Duration: Up to 8 semesters/12 quarters of full-time undergraduate study
• Eligible Institutions: Any Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Eligibility Requirements:
High school seniors from Morgan County (Martinsville, Mooresville, Monrovia, Eminence, and Indian Creek High Schools)

Application Evaluation (50% of decision):

• Outside School Activities (20 points): Community involvement, service, faith, home responsibilities, work/internships
• School Activities (15 points): Involvement at or through school
• Academics (15 points): Weighted GPA compared to applicants from student's school, diploma track, special needs
• Financial Need (10 points): Family AGI, family size, unique circumstances
• Unique Circumstances (10 points): First-generation college student, physical/mental impairment, single parent home, other barriers
• Writing (5 points): Grammar, spelling, organization, clarity, content

Interview (50% of decision):

• Interview Questions (25 points): Assessed on caring/compassionate nature, community focus, grit/resilience, integrity, leadership
• Poise (5 points)
• Reference Check (5 points)
• Comparative Score (10 points): Ranking among 10 finalists

Recent Recipients:

• 2019: Jared Poston (Monrovia High School), Grace Allman (Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities at Ball State)

Contact Information:

• Phone: (765) 813-0003
• Email: info@cfmconline.org
• Address: 88 North Main Street, Martinsville, IN 46151

Application and Selection Process

Application: All CFMC Scholarships, including LECSP, utilize the same student application with a LECSP-specific rubric.

Evaluation Criteria:

Application Scoring (50% of decision):

1. Outside School Activities (20 points)
   • Community activities (4-H, Boy/Girl Scouts, Children's Ballet, Indianapolis Children's Choir, etc.)
   • Community service
   • Faith involvement (outside regular services)
   • Home responsibilities (beyond regular chores)
   • Work and unpaid internships
2. School Activities (15 points)
   • Involvement at or through school
3. Academics (15 points)
   • Weighted GPA compared to applicants from student's school
   • Diploma track
   • Special needs
4. Financial Need (10 points)
   • Family Adjusted Gross Income
   • Number of individuals in family
   • Unique circumstances
5. Unique Circumstances (10 points)
   • Characteristics out of student's control
   • First-generation college student status
   • Physical or mental impairment
   • Single parent home
   • Other barriers
6. Writing (5 points)
   • Grammar, spelling, organization, clarity, content

Interview (50% of decision):

• Interview Questions (25 points): Assessed on:
  • Caring/compassionate nature
  • Community focus and drive
  • Grit and resilience
  • Integrity
  • Leadership
• Poise (5 points)
• Reference Check (5 points)
• Comparative Score (10 points): Interviewers rank the ten interviewees 1-10

Interview Details:

• In-person interviews held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 (for 2025-2026 cycle)
• Ten students offered interviews
• Times randomly selected from 8:20am – 2pm
• First round scores zeroed out; final recommendations based solely on interview score
• All interviewees notified of outcome by phone in December
• Process reviewed by statewide Selection Committee