Scholarships | Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas and affiliates are home to multiple different scholarship funds established by local residents, businesses, and organizations to help area students pursue a post-secondary education. You can read more about our scholarship funds, including recent recipients, below.

A scholarship fund established with the Community Foundation is another way that families, friends, students, teachers, or colleagues can leave a legacy or establish a memorial and impact the future of our community.

If you live in an affiliate community, be sure to check their website for details on their scholarships. (All CFSEK and affiliate scholarships go through the same application link.)

Current scholarship funds

Ad Astra Endowed Scholarship

In keeping with the motto of the State of Kansas, “To the Stars,” the Ad Astra Endowed Scholarship has been established to assist students in achieving their life goals. The Ad Astra Endowed Scholarship has been established by a family that has been fortunate to study, learn, and work in diverse fields and believes knowledge, creativity, passion, and motivation are essential for lifelong success.

This scholarship provides a one-time $1,500 scholarship to a high school senior from Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 and Saint Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools or previous Ad Astra Endowed Scholarship recipients pursuing a higher education or a technical school degree and demonstrating the following: academic excellence, motivation, financial need, and well-roundedness.

The award is made in two payments, fall and spring semesters.

Consideration will be weighed most heavily on the student’s motivation and financial need as described in their application responses.

The student’s GPA, transcript, and extracurricular activities will also be considered.

Previous recipients may reapply.

Albright Scholarship Fund – Healthcare Related Field of Study

Understanding the value of those in helping professions, the Albright Family Healthcare/Human Services Scholarship provides financial assistance to encourage and support students pursuing postsecondary education from an accredited educational institution who are entering their last two years of study in a healthcare or human services-related field and will be upon graduation beginning their healthcare career.

Up to two annual undergraduate scholarships will be awarded. Each recipient may receive a maximum of $5,000 each, distributed over four consecutive semesters for tuition assistance. The scholarship payment will be issued to the educational institution once enrollment and eligibility requirements are confirmed.

This scholarship is for students who have shown through their actions and coursework a desire to seek a career in a healthcare or human services profession to care for or improve the well-being of others. Preference will be given to those who have worked or volunteered in a position demonstrating care, compassion, and service to others.

Payments are made to the college each semester upon submission of scholarship requirements.

Albright Family Scholarships

The Albright family desires to provide a means for graduates to achieve their career goals and achieve their dreams. As a way to give back to the communities that played an important role in the Albright family, the Albright Family Scholarship has been established to provide annual scholarships to encourage and support students pursuing postsecondary education from an accredited educational institution.

This scholarship is for students graduating from Pittsburg High School and Southeast High School who have demonstrated involvement in school and/or community activities, academic success or other achievements, and a general desire to build character and self-sufficiency.

The Albright Family Scholarship will provide up to four annual scholarships to students graduating from PHS and SEHS who are pursuing postsecondary education at a college, junior college, or trade school.

A scholarship(s) will be awarded annually. Each recipient may receive a maximum of up to $4,000 each. The scholarship will be distributed over 8 consecutive semesters toward tuition assistance if eligibility requirements are met. This scholarship is transferable to another educational institution while studying for an undergraduate degree. The scholarship payment will be issued to the educational institution before the fall and spring semesters once enrollment and eligibility requirements are confirmed.

Scholarship Requirements:

The applicants must be graduating seniors from Pittsburg High School.
Applicants must have a current grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in an accredited post-high school institution.
A semester GPA of 2.5 or above is required to receive the next semester’s payment.
The financial need of the applicant may be taken into consideration.

Bill House Hereford Foundation Scholarship

Mr. Swain William (Bill) House had a passion for agriculture and the cattle industry and wanted young people to have an opportunity to earn a degree and have a career in agriculture. His legacy will continue through the Bill House Hereford Foundation Scholarship Fund, which was established to support students pursuing an agricultural-related degree.

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicants must be majoring in an agricultural field of study, including but not limited to agribusiness, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal sciences, conservation, feed science, veterinary medicine, or a similar major.
Recipients are required to have earned a 2.5 or higher GPA at the time of application.

Preference will be given in the following order of priority:

A graduating senior from Cowley or Chautauqua County
Kansas or Oklahoma resident
Students attending a Kansas or Oklahoma college, university, or vocational school.

This is a one-year scholarship with half the amount paid in the fall and half in the spring. New scholarships will be awarded each year. The number of scholarships and the amounts are to be determined annually. Payments are made to the college in the fall and spring once scholarship requirements are submitted.

Previous scholarship recipients and applicants may re-apply.

Commerce Bank Pittsburg Scholarship

The Commerce Bank Scholarship shall be awarded to one graduating senior of Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 High School and one graduating senior of Saint Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools in the amount of $500 annually. The student will pursue further education by enrolling full-time at a 4-year college or university. Payment is made to the college in the fall and spring.

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicants must be graduating seniors of Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 High School or Saint Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools in Crawford County, Kansas.
Applicants must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 and a minimum ACT of 23.
Applicants must plan to enroll full-time at a 4-year college or university.
Financial need is not a requirement but will be a consideration.

Craig Crespino Scholarship

The Craig Crespino Scholarship was established in 2006 in memory of Craig Crespino, a successful educator and high school coach. The many people who gave to the scholarship fund want to help keep Coach Crespino’s spirit alive by recognizing the students who could follow in his footsteps.

One $500 scholarship is awarded annually.

Payment is made to the college in the fall and spring.

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicants must be graduating seniors of Girard High School or Saint Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools in Crawford County, Kansas.
Applicants must carry a minimum of 12 hours each semester in an academic program.
The student must maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4-point scale. If the student’s GPA falls below 2.5 for one semester, the student will not receive the scholarship the following semester, except under extenuating circumstances, which will be reviewed and decided upon by the selection committee or CFSEK.
One-half of the scholarship will be awarded before the start of the fall semester and one-half before the spring semester.
If the student withdraws from their academic program after enrolling and receiving the scholarship money, they must return the funds awarded for the semester in which the student withdraws.

Dr. Daniel & Jeannette Minnis Oral Health Scholarship

The Dr. Daniel and Mrs. Jeannette Minnis Oral Health Scholarship was established in 2008 in honor of the Minnis’ commitment to improving the health and well-being of citizens of southeast Kansas.

Applicants must be a 3rd-year student enrolled in the pre-dental program/track at Pittsburg State University (PSU) in Pittsburg, Kansas, at the time of application. They will be entering their final year of the pre-dental program. The recipient must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4-point scale. If the student’s GPA falls below 2.5 for one semester, the student will not receive the scholarship the following semester.

The recipient must exhibit financial need.

The recipient should be interested in a career path focusing on rural/underserved dental needs. The recipient must be willing to volunteer 20 hours per school calendar year (10 hours per semester) at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Dental Clinic or Accent Dental Clinic.

One $500 scholarship is awarded annually.
Payment is made to the college in the fall and spring.

Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ Scholarship

The Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ Foundation was established in 2011 to provide support for individuals or groups that embody the values that Dylan pursued: adventure, fitness, curiosity, generosity and a daily zest for life.

Scholarships are available for seniors graduating from Pittsburg, St. Mary’s Colgan, Frontenac, Girard, Northeast, or Southeast high schools that have shown through their actions excellence in academics, school and community involvement, athletics, or the arts, and a general desire to create self character and leadership.

Typically, nine $900 scholarships are awarded in memory of Dylan’s jersey number.

Payments are made to the college in the fall and spring.

Circumstances permitting, in addition to receiving a GBL Scholarship, some recipients will be selected to be the GBL Volunteer Abroad representatives to travel internationally during the summer following graduation.

Gabriel John Ison Memorial Scholarship

As proponents of education, Gabriel’s family has established a scholarship in his memory to support graduating Pittsburg High School and Southeast High School seniors pursuing higher education with a specific interest in studying Business or Education.

The Gabriel John Ison Memorial Scholarship will award up to four $1,000 scholarships to PHS and SEHS graduating seniors.

Full payment will be made to the college in the fall.

Scholarship Requirements:

The applicants must be graduating seniors from Pittsburg High School or Southeast High School with an interest in Business or Education.
Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Recipients are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester in an academic program.
Applicants will be required to show involvement in activities.

Recipients must provide proof of enrollment before release of funds.

The financial need of the applicant may be taken into consideration. The scholarship will be awarded before the start of the fall semester.

Joe & Margarita Sauer Scholarship

The Joe & Margarita Sauer scholarship aims to provide $1,000 in scholarship(s) to selected Girard High School graduating senior(s) pursuing higher education who have shown excellence in academics, school and community involvement, athletics, and/or fine art achievements.

Payment is made to the college in the fall and spring.

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicants must be graduating seniors at Girard High School, Girard, KS.
One-half of the scholarship will be awarded before the start of the fall semester and one-half at the start of the spring semester.
Recipients are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester in an academic program.
Recipients must maintain a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average for the first semester of college study to receive funds for the second semester.
Recipients must provide proof of enrollment before release of funds.
The school will be asked to provide the applicant’s high school G.P.A.

Joe F. Zakowski and Mary Alice Gilmore Zakowski Scholarship

The intent of the Joe F. Zakowski and Mary Alice Gilmore Zakowski Scholarship is that those who need the financial means to continue their education past high school will benefit from the scholarship.

This scholarship opportunity is for graduating seniors from Northeast USD 246 High School, Pittsburg USD 250 Community Schools, or Saint Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools who will be attending a college, university, or technical school.

Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale
Complete 12 or more credit hours per semester
Provide your fall semester transcript with GPA and credit hours earned at the close of the fall semester
Verify coursework including credit hours for the spring semester

Payments are made to the college in the fall and spring.

The number of scholarships and amounts are determined annually.

Larry & Regina Weaver Scholarship

The Larry & Regina Weaver scholarship aims to provide a scholarship to a selected Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 and Saint Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools graduating senior pursuing higher education at Pittsburg State University. Larry and Regina, both PSU alumni, dedicated their careers to education. Regina retired after a 30-year career as an educator with USD 250, and Larry was a 20-year PSU employee as an application developer.

This scholarship seeks applicants who have shown excellence in academics, school and community involvement, and service to others. Preference will be given to those who have demonstrated caring and compassion toward others.

One $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually.

Payments are made to the college in the fall and spring.

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicants must be graduating seniors from Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 or Saint Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools attending Pittsburg State University.
Applicants must have a GPA of 3.2 or above.
One-half of the scholarship will be awarded toward tuition before the start of the fall semester and one-half at the beginning of the spring semester.
Recipients are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester in an academic program.
Recipients must maintain a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average for the first semester of college study to receive funds for the second semester.
Recipients must provide proof of enrollment to Pittsburg State University before release of funds.

M.L. (Lee) & Noretta Caldwell Education Scholarship

The Scholarship Selection Committee shall select scholarship recipients from applicants who state their life goals and their program of study. Applicants should be from Southeast Kansas with preference to students from the Neosho County School Districts (Erie & St. Paul), Crawford County (Girard, Southeast, Northeast, Frontenac, excluding Pittsburg), and students from Labette and Bourbon Counties. Students from Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma may also be considered. Students who have earned their GED may also apply.

The number of scholarships and amounts are determined annually.

Two payments are made to the college in the fall and spring.

Scholarship Requirements:

The Caldwell Scholarship is restricted to students attending Fort Scott Community College, Labette Community College, or Neosho County Community College studying business, science, technology, or teaching. Excluded areas of study are athletics, music, poetry, and theater. Students must be pursuing a degree program which can also include an associate degree.
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Financial need is a determining factor.
Previous recipients are encouraged to reapply.

Mullendore – Butler Endowed Scholarship

Ray Mullendore and Ilene Mullendore Butler were longtime residents of the Sedan, Kansas, area, and this scholarship has been created in their memory. The scholarship is open to graduating seniors of high schools in Montgomery and Chautauqua Counties who plan to attend an accredited institution of higher learning or accredited technical school. Applicants should have shown excellence in academics, evidence of leadership, and involvement in school and community activities.

The Scholarship aims to recognize and support our community’s bright, ambitious young minds, empowering them to pursue higher education and become future leaders, innovators, and community builders.

Scholarship Requirement:

Graduating senior from Chautauqua or Montgomery County High School or GED program.
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale
Complete 12 or more credit hours per semester
Provide your fall semester transcript with GPA and credit hours earned at the close of the fall semester
Verify coursework including credit hours for the spring semester
Payments are made to the college in the fall and spring.

The number of scholarships awarded and their amounts are determined each year.

Nancy Evans Community Health Nursing Scholarship

To honor Nancy Evans, RN, BSN, for her 17 years of service to the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) and a lifetime dedicated to nursing, CHC/SEK has established the Nancy Evans Community Health Nursing Scholarship at the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas. Over the span of 17 years, Nancy was part of the beginnings of many services at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.

The purpose of the Nancy Evans Community Health Nursing Scholarship shall be to provide an annual scholarship to a student pursuing a higher education degree from an accredited nursing program in the region who is entering their final year of study in the nursing field.

Recipients will be selected from nursing degree programs located in the same communities as CHCSEK services, Pittsburg State University, Labette Community College, Fort Scott Community College, NEO A&M College, Coffeyville Community College, and Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

Preference may be given to CHCSEK employees and employee family members.

One $500 scholarship is awarded annually.

Payment is made to the college in the fall.

Pat Forbes Scholarship

The Pat Forbes Scholarship was established in 2005 by students, colleagues, and friends of Pat Forbes upon his retirement as principal and former teacher and coach at St. Mary’s-Colgan High School.

This scholarship opportunity shall provide scholarships to encourage and support postsecondary education at an accredited postsecondary educational institution.

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicants must be a graduating senior of St. Mary’s-Colgan High School located in Crawford County, Kansas.
Applicants must have earned at least a cumulative 3.5 GPA.
Applicants must have scored at least a 25 on the ACT.
Class Valedictorian is not eligible for this scholarship.
Verification of spring semester enrollment to receive the second semester payment.

A $500 – $600 scholarship is awarded annually.

Payment is made to the college in the fall and spring.

Short Fine Arts Scholarship

The Short Fine Arts Scholarship was established in 2007 in memory of Nicholas and John Patrick Short.

This scholarship opportunity is designed to encourage young people to pursue artistic excellence at the college level.

Applicants must be graduating seniors from Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 planning to attend a college of their choice and Major or Minor in the Arts, Art Education, or an Art technology field (Examples include but are not limited to studio arts, illustration, vocal or instrumental music, theatre, dance, graphic/interior design, photography).

First preference will be given to Art majors.

The number of scholarships and amounts are determined annually.

Payment is made to the college in the fall and spring.

Stacy Goedeke Scholarship

Stacy Goedeke was raised on a small farm in Southeast Kansas. She loved the Kansas countryside and farm life. Stacy attended Kansas State University and, in 2008, graduated with a degree in Milling Science. Stacy wanted to be the best she could be no matter what challenge was in her path, and she worked tirelessly toward that goal. Stacy’s career and sense of adventure led her far from home, but Kansas and Manhattan were never far from her heart. She died unexpectedly in 2017 at the age of 31.

During Stacy’s life, she observed that most scholarships are established on criteria such as GPA, test scores, or class rank. Stacy always felt that these criteria caused students who possessed non-classroom skills to be overlooked. She believed that students should be rewarded for investing time in school and engaging in and improving their world through community outreach programs such as church and 4-H. Objective standards also ignore students who are committed to earning their college degrees despite enduring adversities not generally faced by college students, such as the death of a close relative, medical or mental illness of themselves or an immediate family member, or even substantial economic hardship. The abilities of these students cannot be measured by their GPA or test scores. Still, Stacy believed that their investment in their communities and resilience in adversity should be rewarded. This scholarship was created to honor her memory.

The following scholarship criteria are required for consideration by the selection committee*:

The applicants must be graduates of a Kansas high school.
Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time or part-time at Kansas State University with a declared major in Milling Science.
Applicant must complete the application, including a short statement regarding the applicant’s experience as it relates to:
- Community involvement through their church, 4-H, or other charitable, civic, or community outreach organizations.
- The hardships the student has experienced or is experiencing increase their need for financial assistance.
- Other experiences the student believes are relevant to the spirit of this scholarship described in the narrative above, mainly information regarding work history, work ethic, or financial need.
Applicants must submit a completed copy of the attached Application Cover Page and related documents.
Applicants may not be a relative of the donor or the Advisory Selection Committee due to IRS regulations.

The following criteria are guidelines that may be considered, but are not required, by the selection committee:

Applicants who graduated from the Kansas counties of Chautauqua, Cherokee, Crawford, Elk, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, and Wilson may be given priority.
Applicants who have completed more than 60+ hours toward their Milling Science Degree may be given priority.
Applicants with a GPA of 2.5 to 3.5 will be given priority.
Applicant’s transcript may be considered.
Applicant’s other scholarship awards may be considered.
Previous recipients or applicants may re-apply.

Thomas J. Restivo Memorial Scholarship

As a beloved coach, educator, community leader, and avid supporter of athletics, the Thomas J. Restivo Memorial Scholarship was established so that his legacy will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Tom left an indelible mark on the lives of countless students and athletes. He contributed significantly to his community.

This scholarship will provide annual scholarships to high school students, current college students, and non-traditional students who are returning after a reprieve, or previous recipients of this scholarship pursuing a post-secondary degree or technical/trade school degree.

Students must be full-time residents of Crawford County and attend a regional (SEK) community college, technical/trade school, or Pittsburg State University.

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicants must be graduating seniors from Crawford County high schools, current college students, non-traditional students who are returning after a reprieve, or previous recipients of this scholarship.
Applicants who are graduating seniors must have a high school grade point average of 3.2 or above.
Students must complete a written or video essay with their application.
Applicants must plan on attending Pittsburg State University, Allen County Community College, Coffeyville Community College, Fort Scott Community College, Independence Community College, Labette Community College, Neosho County Community College, or an accredited Kansas technical/trade school in Southeast Kansas.
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale
Complete 12 or more credit hours (undergraduate) or 9 or more credit hours (graduate) per semester, or the equivalent of full-time enrollment in a technical/trade school program.
Provide your fall semester transcript with GPA and credit hours earned at the close of the fall semester
Verify coursework including credit hours for the spring semester
Financial need of the applicants will be taken into consideration.
Payments are made to the college in the fall and spring.

Applicants may have temporary residence elsewhere but must have legal residence in Crawford County.

One $500 scholarship, $250 per semester, will be awarded in the fall and spring if requirements are met.

Tyler Jeck Scholarship

The Tyler R. Jeck Scholarship was established in 2012 to continue Tyler’s dream of helping others in his memory. Tyler, a well-respected and much-loved 2010 graduate, attended St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools from Kindergarten through graduation.

This scholarship is to recognize students who have maintained a 3.0 GPA, participated on a sports team or other student competitive activity for at least four semesters, and reflect the shared values with Tyler of friendship, acceptance of others, faithfulness, academic drive, and responsibility toward one’s siblings, family, friends, school, church and community.

The scholarship is a one-time award toward tuition in the first year of college.

The number of scholarships and amounts are determined annually.

Payment is made to the college in the fall.

It is open to St. Mary’s-Colgan Catholic Schools graduating seniors.

VetLinks.org – Brian Kavanagh Scholarship Pittsburg State University Clinical Psychology Graduate Program

Brian Kavanagh was raised in Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Dennis and Susan and brother to Molly and Allison. Brian went to St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools from kindergarten through high school, where he formed lifelong friendships and left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Brian was funny, friendly, very curious about the world, and passionate about making an impact. Brian went to Pittsburg State University and joined ROTC. Brian served in the Army from June 11, 1997, to July 31, 1997, and from October 17, 2002, to November 1, 2012. Brian had a successful military career as an Army Ranger and was promoted to Major. He served combat deployments in 2006 and 2008.

In 2011, Brian married Jessica, and they had two daughters, Meryn and Evelyn. After his discharge from the military, Brian gradually experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury that progressed and eventually began to interfere with his ability to transition to civilian life successfully. He and his wife Jessica battled with their local Veterans Affairs facility month in and month out as Brian continued to face multiple challenges associated with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Through this long and painful struggle, Brian conceptualized a non-profit organization dedicated to linking combat veterans to the resources and services that the Department of Veterans Affairs was not providing. Before Brian could complete his mission, he died unexpectedly on June 28, 2016. After his death, his wife enlisted his friends to continue his legacy and make VetLinks.org a reality.

VetLinks.org is dedicated to providing veterans, especially post-9/11 veterans and their families, assistance by providing resources that meet their immediate needs. VetLinks.org has provided 130 veterans and families with over $250,000 in financial assistance. Additionally, VetLinks.org has connected dozens of veterans with the resources needed for their specific situations.

VetLinks.org offers a scholarship to PSU students to support Brian’s legacy further. Brian was a proud Pitt State alum and understood the importance of giving as many people as possible access to higher education. By offering this funding, the VetLinks.org Board would like to honor Brian’s insatiable curiosity and love of learning.

Scholarship Requirement:

Applicant must be a PSU Clinical Psychology Graduate Student
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale
Complete 9 or more credit hours per semester
Provide your fall semester transcript with GPA and credit hours earned at the close of the fall semester
Verify coursework including credit hours for the spring semester
Payments are made to the college in the fall and spring.

One $4,000 scholarship, $2,000 per semester, will be awarded annually.

Former recipients and applicants may re-apply.

VetLinks.org – Brian Kavanagh Scholarship Pittsburg State University ROTC

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicant must be committed to becoming an Enrolled Status PSU ROTC enrollee.
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale
Complete 12 or more credit hours per semester
Provide your fall semester transcript with GPA and credit hours earned at the close of the fall semester
Verify coursework including credit hours for the spring semester
Payments are made to the college in the fall and spring

One $4,000 scholarship, $2,000 per semester, will be awarded annually.

Former recipients and applicants may re-apply.

Vinylplex/Sanderson Pipe Scholarship

Bill Coleman was a proponent of education and his community. As the former President of Vinylplex, Inc., he established the Vinylplex/Sanderson Pipe Scholarship Fund to encourage and support the children of Vinylplex/Sanderson Pipe employees and students residing in the Pittsburg area to pursue postsecondary education.

Scholarship Requirements:

Recipients must be residents of Pittsburg or the surrounding area.
Recipients must have earned a 2.5 GPA at the time of application.
Applicants must be enrolled or plan to enroll in an accredited postsecondary educational institution at the time of application.
The scholarship will be awarded prior to the start of the fall semester.
If all applicants are equal based on eligibility criteria, then preference will be given to the children of Sanderson Pipe employees.
The selection committee may consider a preference for applicants with a plan to study plastics, manufacturing, engineering, accounting, or other careers that support the work of Sanderson Pipe.

The number and amount of scholarships are determined annually.

Full payment is made for the fall semester.

William J. Sollner Family Scholarship

William “Bill” J. Sollner was a 1943 Crawford County Community High School graduate. Following training as a naval aviator and time in the naval reserve, Bill’s life was filled with being a “teacher, journalist, playwright, puppeteer, and gadfly.” Bill returned to Arma in 1991, remaining until he died in 2017.

The William J. Sollner scholarship aims to provide Northeast High School students with talent and initiative but may need more financial resources to pursue a degree. Scholarship funds will be distributed from the William J. Sollner Family Scholarship Fund through the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.

Scholarship Requirements:

Applicants must be a graduate of Northeast High School USD # 246.
Applicants must have earned a GPA of 2.5 or higher in high school.
Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an academic or vocational program in an accredited institution of higher learning.
Recipients must provide proof of enrollment before release of funds.
One-half of the scholarship will be awarded at the start of the fall semester and one-half at the start of the spring semester, pending the fulfillment of scholarship requirements.
Scholarships awarded are for one school year and are non-renewable. Previous recipients may reapply. First preference will be given to graduating seniors.
Recipients will be required to carry a minimum of 12 hours each semester in an academic or vocational program.
Recipients must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA for the fall semester or will not receive the scholarship the following semester.

The number of scholarships and the amounts are determined annually.

Past scholarship recipients

Each year, we announce the recipients of our scholarship funds on our blog, in our newsletter, and on our Facebook page. You can follow the links below to read our announcements going back to 2014.

2023 – 2024: Summer 2023 Charitable Connection Newsletter
2022 – 2023: 2022 Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas Scholarship Program Recipients Announced
2021 – 2022: More Spring 2021 CFSEK Grant & Scholarship Recipients Announced
2020 – 2021: CFSEK Summer 2020 Newsletter
2019 – 2020: Over $57,000 Awarded in Scholarships for 2019/2020
2018 – 2019: Scholarships Provide Opportunity to Earn an Education
2017 – 2018: The Community Foundation Announces 2017 Scholarship Recipients
2016 – 2017: Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas Summer 2016 Newsletter
2015 – 2016: The Community Foundation Announces 2015 Scholarship Recipients
2014 – 2015: The Community Foundation scholarships are enabling 15 students a start of their college careers