Scolarship Opportunities

The San Juan Island Community Foundation announces the availability of a variety of scholarship opportunities to assist high school graduates and adults wishing to continue their education at accredited colleges and universities, community and two-year colleges, and in accredited career and vocational training programs.

Applications, instructions and deadlines can be found on the Foundation’s web site: www.sjicf.org.

• The Inskeep Scholarship – Applicants must be graduates of San Juan Island high schools applying for full-time study at a four-year college or university. The Inskeep Scholarship is awarded to dedicated students who show promise for success and demonstrate strong financial need. Awards are made for one year of study with the opportunity to reapply for subsequent years to those individuals who maintain a high level of academic performance. Last year $125,000 was awarded to continuing and first year college students from San Juan Island.
• The General Scholarship Fund – Established in 2012 to support San Juan Island students interested in two-year programs at community and vocational colleges. Applications may be submitted at any time.
• Career Training & Scholarship Fund – Established to offer scholarships and program support for educational opportunities for San Juan Island residents who wish to pursue a career with the intention of seeking employment locally. Programs and awards are evaluated based upon a combination of benefits to the individual along with a positive impact on our local economy. Preference is currently given to applicants wishing to pursue careers in the healthcare field. Since its establishment, the Career Training Fund has included the training for Registered Nurses, Certified Nurse Assistants, a Radiology Technician, a Medical Lab Technician, a Patient Financial Services Specialist, and a Medical Assistant, and has assisted in obtaining an MS in Public Safety Administration and training in the Culinary Arts.
• The John Volk Memorial Scholarship – The Foundation also assists the San Juan Pilots Association in the management of the John Volk Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Pilots Association annually reviews the applications of students wishing to pursue careers in aviation or public service.

The Foundation invites all island students to apply. These scholarships are highly competitive, and typically the number of applicants exceeds the number of awards available. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race or religion, and seeks to provide a thorough and fair evaluation of all candidates. The Foundation is particularly rigorous in identifying and preventing any conflict-of-interest in making its awards.
These scholarship awards have been supported by generous islanders who sincerely believe in the power of education. “Giving to a scholarship fund is deeply rewarding because you know your donation will have a lasting impact far into the future,” said Lauren Levinson, chair of the Foundation’s student scholarship committees. “Scholarships change lives.”

The Foundation has developed a variety of options that may be useful to donors, including direct gifts, annual pledges, planned giving and giving through your will. Donations can be accepted through the website: www.sjicf.org under “Giving Center – Education”. Alternatively, a call to the office (378-1001) will get you the information that you need to get started.
The San Juan Island Community Foundation serves as a non-profit philanthropic umbrella organization helping donors, non-profits and public organizations to achieve their goals through direct grants, organizational assistance and philanthropic resource management.

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