Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP)

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

Geographic Scope: Hendricks County, Indiana (with limited eligibility for non-residents attending school in Hendricks County)

Partner: Lilly Endowment Inc. (since 1998)

Program Purpose

The primary purposes of the program are:

1. To help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana
2. To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities
3. To encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana

Award Details

The program provides scholarships for:

• Otherwise unreimbursed full tuition
• Required fees
• Special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment
• Coverage for up to 8 semesters/12 quarters of undergraduate study on a full-time basis
• Leading to a baccalaureate degree at 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

Primary Eligibility:

• Hendricks County residents

Alternative Eligibility (Non-Hendricks County Residents):
Open to non-Hendricks County residents IF they:

1. Attend school in Hendricks County, AND
2. Are not eligible for the Lilly Scholarship in their home county because they attend school in Hendricks County

2025-2026 Program Framework

The 2025-2026 program is broken into two parts:

Part 1: The Application

All HCCF Scholarships, including LECSP, utilize the same student application; however, each has its own rubric.

LECSP Application Rubric:

• Outside School Activities (20 points) - What does the student do in their free-time?
  • Community Activities (4-H, Boy or Girl Scouts, Children's Ballet, Indianapolis Children's Choir, etc.)
  • Community Service
  • Faith (outside of attending regular services)
  • Responsibilities at Home (outside of regular chores)
  • Work including unpaid internships, family jobs, etc.
• School Activities (15 points) - What is the student involved in at or through school?
• Academics (15 points) - Weighted GPA compared to applicants from the student's school
  • Diploma track
  • Special needs
• Financial Need (10 points)
  • Family Adjusted Gross Income
  • Number of individuals in the family
  • Unique Circumstances
• Unique Circumstances (10 points) - Characteristics out of a student's control
  • First generation college student
  • Students with a physical or mental impairment
  • Being in single parent home
  • Other relevant factors
• Writing (5 points) - Based on grammar, spelling, organization, clear writing, and content

Part 2: The Interview

• Format: In-person interviews held on Saturday, November 8, 2025
• Selection: Ten students are offered an interview; times are randomly selected from 8:20am - 2pm
• Scoring: First round scores are zeroed out; final recommendations are made solely on interview score

Interview Rubric:

• Interview Questions (25 points) - Assessing:
  • Caring/Compassionate
  • Community focus/drive
  • Grit/Resilience
  • Integrity
  • Leadership
• Poise (5 points)
• Reference Check (5 points)
• Comparative Score (10 points) - Interviewers rank the ten interviewees 1-10

Selection Process

• All interviewees are notified of the outcome by phone in December after the process is reviewed by a statewide Selection Committee

Contact

For questions, contact Skylar Hazlett, Program Associate, at skylar@hendrickscountycf.org or 317-268-6240

Application Process

1. Complete the online HCCF Scholarship Application (shared with all 13 scholarship funds)
2. Provide all required information:
   • Contact information
   • Education and academic history
   • Activities (both school and outside school)
   • Community involvement and service
   • Work/employment experience
   • Personal statement
3. Ensure completion truthfully and in its entirety
4. Submit by the posted deadline

Interview Process (if selected)

For students selected for the 10-person interview pool:

1. Attend in-person interview on the designated date (Saturday, November 8, 2025)
2. Interview time randomly assigned between 8:20am - 2pm
3. Interview assesses:
   • Caring and compassion
   • Community focus and drive
   • Grit and resilience
   • Integrity
   • Leadership
   • Poise

Notification

• Applicants selected for interviews are notified in advance
• Final scholarship recipients are notified by phone in December
• Decisions are reviewed by a statewide Selection Committee