Scholarships (General Program)

Scholarships

The Gratiot County Community Foundation offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for high school seniors, college students, vocational/skilled trades students, graduate students, and other educational pathways.

Geographic Scope: Gratiot County, Michigan and surrounding areas

Application Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2027 (for 2027 awards; previous deadline was January 30, 2026)

Key Information:

• One application is used to apply for a variety of scholarships (with limited exceptions for school-specific scholarships)
• GPA is considered for many scholarships but not all
• Not all scholarships consider financial need
• Scholarships available for: 4-year college, nontraditional, vocational, undergraduate, graduate, high school senior, athletic, and artistic pursuits
• Community volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and locations review applications

Required Documentation:

• Cumulative high school (or college if applicable) transcript reflecting cumulative GPA

Additional Requirements for Some Scholarships:

• At least one letter of recommendation (11 scholarships require this)
• Additional essay (9 scholarships require this)
• Separate documents (3 scholarships require this)

Contact Information:

• Senior Program Officer: Ashtyn Bush
• Phone: (989) 875-4222
• Email: abush@gratiotfoundation.org

Gratiot County Community Foundation
168 E. Center St.
Ithaca, MI 48847

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Process

1. Access the 2026 Scholarship Application at: https://gratiotfoundation.awardspring.com
2. Gather required documentation:
   • Cumulative high school (or college if applicable) transcript reflecting cumulative GPA
3. Complete the online application
4. Submit by the deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026

For Some Scholarships:

• Request at least one letter of recommendation through the online platform
• Letters of recommendation can be easily submitted and tracked using the online process
• Additional essay may be required
• Download separate documents from website if needed

Helpful Resources:

• AwardSpring Applicant Guide and AwardSpring Guide (walks through application process)
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Michigan Student Aid
• US News Top 5 Scholarship Search Engines
• 4 Ways to Make Your Scholarship Essay Stand Out (US News)
• Financial Aid for Minorities
• Best Michigan Colleges and Universities

Questions? Contact Ashtyn Bush, Senior Program Officer, at 989-875-4222 or abush@gratiotfoundation.org