Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Funding Source: Lilly Endowment Inc.

Program Inception: 1997-98 school year

Geographic Scope: Boone County, Indiana (for local administration; statewide program for Indiana residents)

Award Amount: Full tuition and required fees at eligible Indiana colleges/universities, plus up to $900 per year for required books and equipment

Study Duration: Four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree

Award Details

What Scholars Receive:

• Full tuition coverage at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university
• Required fees covered
• Special allocation: Up to $900 per year for required books and equipment
• Lilly Scholars Network (LSN) membership: Connects scholars with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities

Program History

• Created in 1997-98 by Lilly Endowment
• Supported every year since inception with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million
• More than 5,400 Indiana students have received scholarships

2026 Recipients (Boone County)

• Caroline Cox - Zionsville Community High School

- President of Model UN; founded Farm Fresh Produce to Pantry nonprofit; accomplished musician (bass in Show Choir Combo); president of United Sound; planning to study political science and economics with goal of law school and public service career

• Anthony Thieu - Zionsville Community High School

- President of HOSA club; conducted research internship at IU School of Medicine (diabetes research); co-founded nonprofit for STEM education in underserved areas; plans to study biochemistry and become clinical/research endocrinologist

2026 Alternates (Boone County)

• Hope Roth - Covenant Christian High School
• Emma Nienaber - Lebanon High School

Alternate Award: $1,500 stipend for technology purchases; may become Lilly Scholar if nominees decline

Selection Criteria

Scholars are known for:

• Community involvement and volunteerism
• Academic achievement (within upper 20% of high school graduating class)
• Character and leadership
• Commitment to the State of Indiana
• Work experience
• School activities and engagement

About Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI)

• Administers LECSP statewide with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.
• Serves as collective voice for Indiana's 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities
• Employs over 22,000 Hoosiers

Contact Information

Community Foundation of Boone County

• Phone: 765-482-0024
• Email: Ali@communityfoundationbc.org

Application Process

Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must:

Claim residency in Boone County, Indiana

Be within the upper 20% of their high school's graduating class after 6 semesters

Intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college/university in Indiana

Graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2026

Receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2026

Required Application Materials:
1. Complete online application
2. Short answer essays (topic and length requirements vary)
3. Personal statement
4. Two letters of recommendation (non-school affiliated)
- At least one recommendation must be from someone the student has worked with in a community service capacity

Application Method:
Online application through ICI/Community Foundation portal

Selection Process:
1. Applications reviewed and evaluated on:
- Community involvement
- Volunteerism
- Commitment to the State of Indiana
- Work experience
- Academic performance
- School activities
- Short answer essays
- Letters of recommendation
2. Finalists participate in interview process
3. Winners announced (typically mid-December)

Questions:
Contact Ali Maxey, Director of Education & Grantmaking:

Phone: 765-482-0024

Email: Ali@communityfoundationbc.org