Commencing in 1998, Lilly Endowment Inc. has provided up to three Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships (LECS) each year for Benton County students. The scholarship provides full tuition and required fees to any accredited four-year private or public college or university in Indiana of the recipient's choice, plus an annual book and equipment stipend.

The LECS program is administered by the community foundation in every county in Indiana. Each community foundation establishes its own criteria for scholarship recipients.

Benton Community Foundation nominates recipients who have had significant academic success while a high school student as demonstrated by completing a rigorous curriculum and earning at least a 3.33 grade point average after seven (7) semesters. Additionally, recipients have contributed significantly to the quality of student life at high school by participation and leadership in school activities: music, theater, clubs, service organizations, student government, athletics, FFA, etc. Moreover, they have contributed significantly to the quality of life in the local community outside high school by participation and leadership in community activities: volunteer groups, scouting, special projects, church, 4-H, etc. Recipients have contributed to the community's economic well-being by paid work, work for family business or farm.

Applicants are scored using the following criteria:
      Academics    25%
      School Contributions  15%
      Community Contributions  15%
      Work Experience  15%
      Written Communication  10%
      Statement of Financial Need  5%
      Impromptu Written Essay  5%
      Oral Communication  10%

NOTE: Students who reside in Benton County but will graduate from South Newton High School or Tri-County High School should apply for the LECS program through their respective high schools. Current residents of Benton County who will have graduated from other highs outside Benton County by June 2008 may apply for the LECS program through Benton Community Foundation. .

Download the application (.pdf version) (Word version) for the Benton Community Foundation Scholarship program and indicate application for LECS program on the form. You will need Microsoft Word or the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software to view and print the application. If you have trouble, visit the Adobe download site.

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Winners - 2007

Thomas Haley-Hermiz IV Purdue University

Ellen Sheetz Butler University

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