Navigating Scholarship Eligibility at Lewis-Clark State College

Pursuing higher education is a significant investment, and scholarships play a vital role in making college accessible. Lewis-Clark State College (LC State) offers a diverse range of scholarships, each with specific requirements and eligibility criteria. This article delves into the various scholarships available at LC State, outlining their respective requirements to help students navigate the application process effectively.

Understanding the Basics of LC State Scholarships

Scholarships offered by Lewis-Clark State College are based on available funding, and many are funded from endowment revenue or by individual donors. Scholarships are awarded based upon 4% of the 5 year moving average of the market value as of December 31 of each year. New endowments must be a part of the consolidated investment pool for at least 18 months prior to making a distribution. A gift use agreement formally establishes the named fund with the Foundation and the Financial Aid Office. Once a gift use agreement is established, the Financial Aid Office will share information about your scholarship with the student body. Scholarships are distributed based off donor criteria and time frame.

Types of Scholarships: Annual vs. Endowed

LC State offers both annual and endowed scholarships.

Annual Scholarships: Annual Scholarships are “closed” when funding is no longer available, and the donor no longer wishes to fund the scholarship on a regular basis. There is no minimum amount for an annual scholarship.
Endowed Scholarships: A minimum of $25,000 is required to establish an endowed scholarship.

It's also possible to transition an annual fund into an endowed fund.

General Eligibility Criteria

While each scholarship has its own specific requirements, some general criteria apply to many LC State scholarships:

GPA Requirements: Many scholarships require a minimum GPA, often ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 or higher.
Enrollment Status: Full-time enrollment (12 or more credits per semester) is a common requirement, although some scholarships may allow for part-time enrollment (6 or more credits per semester).
Financial Need: For all scholarships which include the statement "demonstrate financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office", students must file a FAFSA prior to the March 1 Priority Deadline. This is how financial need will be determined.
Application: The LC State Scholarship Application is only available for undergraduate students.

Priority Deadlines and Admission Status

In the case of budgetary limitations, priority will be on a first-come, first-served basis by Tentative Admission status date. Late evaluations and reinstatements for missed deadlines will not be evaluated until July. Students must be at least tentatively admitted with 7th semester transcript received by the March 1 Priority Deadline for automatic consideration for the fall semester.

Scholarship Combinations and Limitations

The total financial aid package (including Federal, State, Institutional and outside resources) for a student cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance. Students with a 3.9 or higher GPA may receive, if offered, a merit based scholarship in addition to one of the following scholarship offers per academic year: Foundation Scholars, Laura Moore Cunningham, or LC State Blue Cross Scholar Program. Students with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.89 will be limited to only one of the following scholarship offers per academic year: Foundation Scholars, Laura Moore Cunningham, LC State Blue Cross Scholar Program or LC State merit scholarships (Presidential, Provost and Dean).

*ACT is composite score. If students are not able to meet the maintenance criteria for the scholarship they were initially offered, they will automatically drop down to the tier of the GPA they met. Example: You've received the Dean Scholarship with a 3.0 GPA. Your first semester you receive a 3.5 GPA. Example: You have the Provost Scholarship. Your freshman year you earn a 3.25 GPA but only complete 26 credits.

Scholarship Opportunities at LC State

Scholarships for Specific Majors

LC State offers numerous scholarships tailored to students pursuing specific fields of study. Here are some examples:

Teacher Education: The Aletha Pabst Scholarship provides funds for students pursuing a degree in Teacher Education, requiring a minimum GPA of 2.75 and full-time enrollment. The Alpha Delta Kappa scholarship is for students accepted into the Teacher Education program with senior status, requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0 and full-time enrollment.
Business Administration: The Association of Government Accountants organization offers a scholarship for students pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a Managerial Accounting emphasis. The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0, and full-time enrollment is required.
Hospitality Management: The Angel B. Zepeda Scholarship supports students majoring in Hospitality Management, requiring a minimum GPA of 2.5 and full-time enrollment. Preference is given to first-generation students and/or students participating in LC State TRIO or CAMP programs.
Career & Technical Education: The Bill Sawyer Scholarship provides funds for students pursuing a degree in a Career and Technical Education program. A minimum GPA of 2.0 and full-time enrollment are required. Preference is given to students from Idaho County with special needs (physical handicap, learning disability). The Dr. Milton L Snyder and Dr. Dolores J Gibbons scholarship provides funds for students who graduated from an Idaho public high school pursuing a degree in either a Career & Technical Education Program or in Education. A minimum GPA of 2.0 and full-time enrollment (12 or more credits per semester) is required.
Nursing: Several scholarships support students in the Nursing program, including the Betty Mae Scholarship and the Dianne K. Blum Scholarship. The Charlene Maher Scholarship provides financial assistance for Idaho residents in the Nursing program. Each of these scholarships has specific GPA and enrollment requirements.
English (Creative Writing): The Browning family scholarship provides funds for students pursuing a degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. A minimum GPA of 3.00 and full-time enrollment are required.
Biology or Chemistry: The Dr. William H. Bond scholarship provides funds for students pursuing a degree in Biology or Chemistry with a class standing of sophomore or junior. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and full-time enrollment are required.
Geology or Earth Science: The Dr. Laval scholarship provides funds for students pursuing a degree in Geology or Earth Science.
Social Work: The William G. Clouser Scholarship is for students entering their senior year in the Social Work Program. The John R. Seaman Scholarship is for students pursuing a degree in social work at the LCSC-Coeur d'Alene Center.
Social or Political Science: The intent of this scholarship is to provide funding for outstanding students majoring in Social or Political Science, have a class standing of junior or above, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be actively involved in both the campus and community.

Scholarships Based on Affiliations and Background

Some scholarships are specifically designed for students with particular affiliations or backgrounds:

Read also: Crafting Perfect Thank You Notes

Alumni Connection: The Alumni and Friends of Lewis-Clark State College Scholarship provides funds for students who have a parent or grandparent who is a graduate of Lewis-Clark State College. A minimum GPA of 3.00 and full-time enrollment are required. Preference is given to students showing involvement on campus and/or in the community.
Native American Students: The Andrew L. Smith Scholarship provides funds for Native American students with a high degree of ambition and a current standing of sophomore or above. A minimum GPA of 2.0 and full-time enrollment are required.
Orofino or Timberline High School Graduates: Several scholarships established by Xavier (Bus) and Mary Ellen Durant are specifically for graduates of Orofino or Timberline High School (ID) pursuing degrees in various fields, including Business, Nursing, and Technical and Industrial programs.
Idaho Residents: The Edward Williams Scholarship provides funds for Idaho residents who graduated from an Idaho high school.
Out-of-State Students: LC State offers several scholarships for out-of-state students, including the New Out-of-State Student Scholarship and the Out-of-State Transfer Student Scholarship.
Asotin County (WA) Students: The New Asotin County (WA) Student Scholarship provides funds for students from Asotin County, Washington.
Partner Community Colleges: Established for new out-of-state transfer students with an associate degree from one of our partner community colleges*, this scholarship provides funds for new bachelor degree-seeking out-of-state students. Students must enroll at LC State within one year of receiving their associate degree.
Non-Traditional Students: The Dene Kay Thomas Scholarship and the Diana Brown Scholarship are specifically for non-traditional students. The Out-of-State Non-Traditional Student Scholarship assists out-of-state non-traditional students who have been out of high school for at least five years.
Minority Students: Established in 2007 to provide additional funding for minority students.
Cancer Survivors: Preference for Diana Brown Scholarship will be given to students who are a cancer survivor, currently battling cancer, or has dealt with cancer in their immediate family.
4-H Involvement: Preference for Johnsons scholarship will be given to students are/have been involved in 4-H and pursuing a degree in a Career & Technical Education Program.
Commitment to Community Service: The Robinsons scholarship provides funds for students who show a commitment to community service.
Athletics: Preference for the Robinsons scholarship will be given to student athletes participating on the tennis, golf, track or cross-country teams.
Speech and Debate: The Dr Robert D. Olson scholarship provides funds for students who are members of the Speech and Debate team or students with previous speech and debate involvement.
Commitment to Music: The Connie McLaughlin Gibbar scholarship provides funds for students pursuing a minor in Music and/or someone who has demonstrated commitment to the study of music by participating in a LC State musical performance group.

Scholarships Based on Specific Criteria

Some scholarships are awarded based on unique criteria:

Commitment to Community Involvement and Volunteerism: The Bob Wittman Scholarship provides funds for students who have demonstrated a commitment to community involvement and volunteerism.
Theatre Involvement: The Carolyn Silverthorne Scholarship supports junior and senior students who demonstrate capabilities in all aspects of the theatre and have theatre-oriented career plans. The Dr. John Nydegger scholarship provides funds for students who have taken theatre courses (and receiving 3.0 grade point average in those courses) and are a sophomore, junior or senior.
Leadership Performance and Active Involvement: The Lewiston Downtown Rotary scholarship provides funds for in the Nursing program who are a junior or senior. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of academic performance and leadership performance and active involvement in a professional nursing association (INSA or INA) or in the community.

State and Federal Aid

In addition to LC State's scholarships, students should explore state and federal aid options:

Idaho Governor’s Cup Scholarship: The State of Idaho awards scholarships annually to Logos students for any state school in Idaho. The application opens up on October 1st, with a deadline of February 15.
Opportunity Scholarship: The deadline is March 1.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal grants and loans, and is also used by some Christian schools, private scholarships, state scholarships, departmental scholarships, and work-study programs. Applications are available and can be filled out after October 1st. The FAFSA deadline is June 30th, but colleges require it MUCH earlier for their purposes.
CSS Profile: Another means of assessing financial need is the College Board’s CSS Profile. Approximately 400 colleges use it, primarily private and elite institutions. The CSS Profile is more detailed than the FAFSA.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Waiver: This waiver allows a select number of students who are residents from the following states or islands: Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, to enroll in two- and four-year degree programs for a reduced amount.

Navigating the Application Process

Finding Scholarships

Many scholarships require some initiative on your part. You must find them and apply. Often, the application requires an essay or written references.

Additional Scholarship Avenues

Military: If you are interested in the armed forces, there are many options available for paying for college.
Athletics: If you have an interest in college athletics at any level, you should discuss it with Mr. Lopez.
Merit-based scholarships: These are based on your abilities and accomplishments: test scores, GPA, recommendations, etc.
Need-based scholarships: These are based on you and your family’s actual tax returns and other financial data.

Filing Priority Date for Your College

Be aware of the filing priority date for your college. If you don’t submit your financial information, you will be eligible for only merit-based scholarships.

Read also: Foundation Scholarship Details

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