Q&A: Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Process

The Foundation is eagerly preparing to announce this year’s recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Each year, our team continues to receive applications from some of the most talented, dedicated and inspiring students countywide. Selecting a single recipient from such a diverse and impressive group of young leaders is no easy task for our Scholarship Committee. However, our staff and Scholarship Committee members remain committed to an ethical and thoughtful process for reviewing applications and selecting each year’s recipient.  

With the upcoming announcement of this year’s worthy recipient, the Foundation remains committed to transparency and is pleased to share more details about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship process in the form of a Q&A below.  

Q: What is the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship?

A: The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program provides scholarships for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. On an annual basis, one scholarship is awarded to a Huntington County resident. 

Q: Who reviews applications and makes scholarship decisions?  

A: The Community Foundation holds a Scholarship Committee comprising a group of community volunteers. While Foundation staff facilitate the scholarship process, they have no influence over which applicants advance or ultimately receive the award. Scholarship Committee members represent a variety of occupations and community involvements and are committed to upholding an ethical and thoughtful process when reviewing applications and conducting interviews. Committee members evaluate each application independently and do not share their assessments with the rest of the group. The Foundation respects the anonymity of its Scholarship Committee members and does not disclose their identities. Additionally, if there is a conflict of interest caused by a personal relationship with any of the applicants, the committee member is required to abstain from the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship process that year.  

Q: Which students are eligible to apply?  

A: Students initially complete an eligibility quiz to determine whether they are eligible to apply. To be eligible for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a Huntington County resident 
• Either be:  
  • A high school senior on track to graduate with a diploma by June of the next year; or  
  • A high school graduate who is yet to enroll as a student at a college or university 
  • Intend to pursue a four-year degree from an accredited college or university located in Indiana 
  • Agree to be interviewed by the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Committee, if selected as a finalist  

Additionally, applicants should have: 

• A cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher during high school 
• Be able to showcase at least three of the following attributes 
  • Ability to gain and apply knowledge 
  • Resilience/perseverance over obstacles 
  • Effective written and oral communication skills 
  • Initiative to take on challenges 
  • Passion for the community and service to others  

Q: Once an applicant is eligible, what’s next?  

A: After an eligibility quiz, applicants submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to be evaluated independently by the Scholarship Committee. LOIs are evaluated under the following measurements (in no particular order):  

• Acquiring Knowledge (GPA, test scores, advanced/specialty courses) 
• Activities Inside of School (quality of involvements, above average initiative)  
• Activities Outside of School (quality of involvements, above average initiative)  
• Financial Need / First Generation Status (financial need, potential to be a first-generation college graduate)  
• Additional Criteria (written communication skills, exhibition of good character, maturity, leadership abilities)  

Q: What happens after an applicant moves past the LOI Stage?   

A: After the LOI Stage, 10 to 15 applicants are selected to advance to the Application Stage where applications are once again evaluated independently by the Scholarship Committee. Applications are evaluated under the following measurements (in no particular order):   

• Initiative  
• Applying Knowledge (critical thinking, real-life application of knowledge) 
• Resilience/Perseverance (ability to overcome obstacles) 
• Communication (effective expression of ideas and clear written communication skills)  
• Community (display of a love for community and others)  
• Additional Criteria (good character, maturity, leadership abilities, demonstration to successfully complete chosen degree program, interest in improving quality of life in Indiana, potential willingness to return to Indiana after completing degree work)

Q: What happens after the Application Stage?  

A: Based on application evaluations, five to eight applicants are invited for a face-to-face Interview Stage. Each applicant will be asked similar questions with each interview lasting up to fifteen (15) minutes. Each applicant will be scored independently by the Scholarship Committee members. The three highest scored applicants on average will be invited for a face-to-face Final Interview Stage. Each applicant will be asked similar questions with each interview lasting up to twenty-five (25) minutes. 

Q: Are students able to participate in a practice interview?

A: Yes! The Foundation is proud to have implemented mock interviews to provide applicants with the opportunity to practice interview skills and receive feedback before official interviews. Mock interviews are conducted by community volunteers who are not part of the Scholarship Committee. This separation allows students to learn and improve in a low-pressure setting and ensures that Scholarship Committee members evaluate each finalist without any prior impressions or bias. Additionally, all applicants are encouraged to practice interviews with friends, family and mentors to help them prepare.  

Q: After the Final Interview Stage, how is the recipient selected?  

A: After the final interview, each applicant will receive a final scoring. Once again, Committee members score each applicant independently and do not share their scores with the rest of the group. The highest average scored applicant will be awarded the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. The second highest receives runner-up, and third highest receives alternate runner-up. In the event of a tie, the applicant with the highest application score is awarded the tiebreaker. 

Q: What are the primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program?  

A: The primary purposes are:  

1. To help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana 
2. To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana Community Foundations can play in their communities  
3. To encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state

The Foundation is thrilled to facilitate the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship process annually and greatly appreciates the continued generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc. The Foundation is also extremely grateful for the committed volunteers who help ensure this process is efficient, ethical and impactful for each applicant involved. Our team is continually encouraged by the outstanding applications received each year. Special thanks to all of the applicants that work diligently on application items – we value your dedication, applaud your outstanding achievements and wish you the very best with your future goals. 

Those interested in learning more about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship are encouraged to contact our team. The Foundation is proud to hold several additional Scholarships thanks to generous donors passionate about supporting local students.