Paul J. Laninga Memorial Scholarship Grant

Paul J. Laninga Memorial Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Grand Haven Area Community Foundation
Last Updated: March 22, 2026

Summary

The Paul J. Laninga Memorial Scholarship, established by Tamara Laninga in memory of her husband, supports graduating seniors from Northwest Ottawa County pursuing careers in accounting or business. This competitive scholarship prioritizes students demonstrating financial need and academic excellence, while encouraging applications from those planning to attend public universities. It aims to honor Paul's zest for life and create positive opportunities for future leaders in business.

Overview

Scholarships Grand Haven Area Community Foundation scholarships are awarded competitively based on criteria set by donors. These criteria could include financial need, the school the applicant is attending, academic achievement, as well as personal or career goals. The Community Foundation has a rigorous internal selection process for each scholarship decision, and each applicant is reviewed in depth, and considered thoroughly. Our scholarship program is simple. You are able to apply once for all foundation scholarships you may be eligible for. Once your application is submitted, you will be eligible for all those for which you meet the requirement. Paul J. Laninga Memorial Scholarship Fund Paul Laninga's future looked bright. The young Grand Haven resident had a successful career as a CPA with the accounting firm of Deloitte and Touche. On January 2, 1995, Paul Laninga was killed in a snowmobiling accident. He was only twenty-seven years old. When Tamara Laninga established a Community Foundation Scholarship Fund in memory of her husband, she wanted to make something positive out of a tragedy. "Paul had a zest for life. Lite was always new, always changing, and always an adventure. He lived more in his twenty-seven years than most people do in a lifetime." This scholarship fund assists students interested in pursuing a career in the field of accounting or business.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Interest Area: Business Financial Need: PriorityHigh School Senior Only: YesCriteria/Description: Awarded to a graduating senior of Northwest Ottawa County who demonstrates financial need and academic excellence.In addition to the application, you’ll have to submit the following documents:A copy of your high school or college transcriptAny additional required documents for specific scholarships (like recommendation letters).Page 1 of the Student Aid Report with your Student Aid Index (SAI) included on the form.