New and Renewing Scholarship Information and Applications

HCEF was created in 1989 by a generous donor with the goal of encouraging further education for the residents of Holmes County. Holmes County Education Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. EIN # 34-1631041.
New Students

New Student Scholarship Application

New student scholarship applications will be available for traditional and non-traditional students beginning in early January, 2025. The deadline for submission is March 17, 2025 at 5 p.m. eastern time. Applications are accepted only once per academic year. Preference is given to Holmes County residents or students that are pursuing higher education at a U.S. Department of Education accredited institution. Please utilize the online matching criteria questionnaire to begin your scholarship application process! Once completed, you may create a student account with www.SmarterSelect.com to apply for the scholarships to which you matched and for which you are eligible.

Skilled-Trades scholarship applications are available January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 for residents of Holmes County, Ohio. Students may apply at any time during the calendar year. The scholarship is non-renewable and may be used for part-time or full-time programs at a skilled-trades institution. Click HERE to apply.

New Students

Renewal Student Scholarship Recipients

A renewal student is one that has received a Holmes County Education & Community Foundation renewable scholarship. Most HCECF scholarships are renewable for three years after the initial award year, if funds are available. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and complete FOUR hours of documented community service to renew their scholarship. Students receiving the [Anonymous Donors] Achievement Scholarship or the Walnut Creek Foods - Coblentz Family Scholarship must meet higher GPA requirements. *If you have completed volunteer service at different times/locations, please be sure to combine all documentation into one PDF file before uploading your community service information into your online application. The deadline to submit a renewal scholarship application is March 3, 2025 at MIDNIGHT eastern time. Renewal applications will be reviewed in April, and the students will receive an email in April notifying them whether their scholarship renewal has been approved. If approved, the scholarship funds will be sent to the college by the end of July. Renewal applications will be made available to eligible applicants in December of each year. Eligible students will receive an email in early December with the link to click on to renew their scholarship(s). Renewal applications are accepted only once per academic year. Current scholarship recipients only receiving non-renewable scholarships may re-apply (above) as a new student.

Want to view Available Scholarships?
Check out the list we've compiled

Important Forms

Both New Scholarship recipients and Renewal Scholarship recipients are required to submit a Notice of Withdrawal Form or Transfer/Reinstatement Scholarship Information Form should there be any disruption or changes in higher education enrollment.