How much funding does Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provide?

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides Full tuition, required fees, and up to $900/year for books and equipment for four years in funding.

When is the deadline for Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BOONE

Foundation Annual Grants for Education Foundation Grants

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Funding Amount

Full tuition, required fees, and up to $900/year for books and equipment for four years

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

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

Anthony Thieu - Zionsville Community High School

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

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)

Founded in 1948
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

Ali Maxey

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

How to Apply

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

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