Create a Scholarship Fund with Columbus State
Creating a scholarship through the Columbus State Community College Development Foundation is one way you can assist students and leave a legacy to Columbus State Community College. A named scholarship can be a meaningful and lasting way to honor family or friends. Access to an education has always been a integral part of Columbus State's mission and foundation scholarships help keep college accessible to all.
You can start a scholarship fund at Columbus State for as little as $1,000 per year. That $1,000 will go a long way at Columbus State towards tuition, books and fees for deserving students. Scholarships can also be endowed for future generations of students.
The Development Foundation is available to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have. Please contact the Foundation at 614-287-2436 to start a scholarship today.
What follows are the steps to set up a scholarship:
Step 1: Determine Fund Type
Endowed: Endowed funds are established with a gift of at least $15,000. Once the fund reaches $15,000, it is invested and a scholarship is awarded from the interest income earned on the principle. This type of fund lasts indefinitely, and the average annual award is estimated based on market performance.
Restricted: Restricted funds can be established with a gift of $1,000. A 3-year commitment to the scholarship is required. Unlike an endowed fund, the initial contribution is spent down over a period of time and repeated annual contributions replenish the fund each year.
Step 2: Create Scholarship Criteria
The Columbus State Development Foundation will assist the donor in establishing criteria for the scholarship. Typical categories for donor designation include field of study, level of enrollment, academic achievement, merit and financial need. After criteria is drafted, both the executive director of the foundation and the donor will sign a criteria form. This criteria form will act as an agreement between the donor and the foundation as to the use of the fund.
Administration of the Scholarship Funds
Nearly all scholarships are listed in the Columbus State Development Foundation Scholarship Booklet, which is distributed through the Financial Aid office bi-annually. The booklet is also posted on the college's website, www.cscc.edu. After the application period closes a selection committee carefully reviews applications and selects the most deserving recipients based on the donor-established criteria. All awards through the development foundation must provide equal access to available money and equal opportunity to apply for available funds. After the scholarship has been awarded the donor will be notified.