Unity Foundation Community Scholarship Applications Available Now

Unity-Foundation-of-La-Porte-CountyUnity Foundation of La Porte County announces the opening of its 2013 cycle for scholarships and awards. Deadline for submission is April 12, 2013 through the Foundation’s new and improved on-line scholarship platform. Scholarships and awards ranging from $250 to $2,500 each are awarded through more than 50 funds at Unity, which is the community foundation serving La Porte County.

To make the application process easier for students and school officials, Unity has invested in a new and improved online platform. All applicants can simply log into www.uflc.net to complete and submit applications and documentation online. Students are encouraged to begin the process early, as transcripts must be downloaded before the application is submitted.

In 2012, 125 students from throughout La Porte County received Unity Foundation scholarships totaling more than $120,000 to help support their college tuition. That amount was in addition to the generous Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships, which cover 100% of tuition for two La Porte County students for four years of college.

Three new scholarships are being added this year, thanks to the generosity and foresight of people who set aside money in their estates to help people they knew they would never meet.

1. The Ingersoll Trust scholarship was created recently by the late Alice Ingersoll Nagle to honor her grandfather, father and brothers’ rich US Naval history, (Rear Admiral Royal Rodney Ingersoll, Admiral Royal Eason Ingersoll and Lt. Royal Rodney Ingersoll II). The scholarship benefits La Porte High School students.

2. The Edward B. Siperek and Grace A. Steele Siperek Scholarship was established by the late Grace Siperek to honor her husband and to help graduating seniors from La Porte, Marquette, or La Lumiere high schools.

3. The Kelly-Prentiss Scholarship Fund was started by Ruby May Prentiss in the 1970’s to honor her parents, William and Lottie Kelly and her husband, Delbert Prentiss, to help 4th year medical students.

Double the number of students applied to Unity in 2012, pointing to the need for more scholarships to help area residents get ahead. “We received 207 applications, which meant that, while we could help 125, more than 80 deserving students did not receive needed assistance last year.” Unity President Maggi Spartz said.

To really help people afford education, we are looking for help to build the Unity County-Wide Scholarship Fund. Right now it’s very small and we’d like it to be big enough to meet more needs. ” said Spartz.

Specialty awards can be found on the www.uflc.net web site. Some require nominations of deserving students or adult:

  • The Jan Nona Environmental Award honors students or “teachers inspiring students” in the Michigan City area, who move beyond being an ordinary citizen and become involved in community environmental issues.
  • The Diane K. Bamberth Memorial Award is for a graduating senior of La Porte High School who demonstrates community service, leadership, humility, courage, tenacity, strength during adversity, and strong moral fiber.

 

Since 1992, the Unity Foundation of La Porte County has served donors, nonprofits and La Porte County. It manages approximately $21 million in assets, administers more than 200 charitable funds, and has distributed nearly $10 million through direct grants and scholarships. The Council on Foundations has deemed Unity Foundation in compliance with all Indiana and national ethical and operating standards for community foundations. Unity Foundation’s mission is to strengthen La Porte County now and forever by: building permanent endowments; providing leadership; offering philanthropic vehicles for everyone; and, being a catalyst for social and economic vitality. For more information, please visit www.uflc.net or call 219-879-0327.