Frequently Asked Scholarship Questions
Scholarship information on this website is frequently updated.
When may I apply for a scholarship?
Our 2025 application will go live on January 1 and all scholarship applications must be submitted online through our Scholarship Portal no later than Wednesday, March 5, 2025 by 11:59 pm.
EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS:
Early College Program participants will apply during their fifth year, the last year of the Early College Program. MPACF does not make scholarships to early college students until the completion of their fifth year. Example: John entered his fifth year in the Early College Program in the Fall of 2024 therefore he will apply for a MPACF Scholarship in January of 2025.
How do I submit a scholarship application?
All applications will be completed online using our Scholarship Portal. Students will not need to make multiple copies of application materials, and school administrators will be able to submit transcripts electronically. However, the online application system will require students to answer more questions in order to determine their eligibility for each scholarship offered. No faxed, emailed, or mailed applications will be accepted. Applications open the first week of January each year. For a step by step tutorial from creating your account to applying for a scholarship, please click here.
Does it cost anything to apply for a scholarship?
No, there is no cost to apply. Scholarships from legitimate sources should not require a fee to apply for or to receive an award.
What kinds of questions will I be asked?
The online application system is divided into multiple sections: general information, academic information, qualification questions, school and community activities, academic honors, work experience, personal statement, references, available scholarships, and transcript request. If you apply for any financial need based scholarship(s) you will be required to upload your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) SAI (Student Aid Index) information. The system auto-saves as you work on your application.
Do I have to complete the application in one sitting?
No, you may use your email address and password to return to your application at any time until the deadline. The system auto-saves as you work on your application.
Must I live in Isabella County to apply for a scholarship?
The vast majority of scholarships offered through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation are intended to be received by students graduating from high schools located in Isabella County or individuals who reside in Isabella County. However, a few of our scholarship funds were established by founders with interests outside of Isabella County and are available to students in those communities. View the bottom section of the scholarships by school page to see the opportunities available to students attending high schools outside of Isabella County.
How much competition is there for scholarships offered through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation?
Generally, one out of every three individuals who submits an application receives a scholarship. Regardless of grade point average, career field or financial situation, there is likely a scholarship for which any graduating senior of an Isabella County high school could submit a competitive application. Please take the time to review the criteria related to each scholarship to determine the ones for which you are a qualified candidate. The criteria of these scholarships may be very specific and limit the number of potential applicants to a few individuals, or the criteria may be very broad and allow any graduating senior from an Isabella County high school to apply.
How much is each scholarship worth?
Scholarship amounts vary based on endowed fund growth, duration of investment, and founder wishes. Not every scholarship is offered every year. You can view the 2025 scholarship amounts here.
With what expenses may scholarships assist?
Most scholarship awards may be applied toward expenses such as tuition, fees, books and supplies, or room and board or other expenses calculated in the college's cost of attendance.
Tuition, fees and books are nontaxable. If a student has other gift aid that covers those expenses it may then be used for taxable expenses such as room and board, and the college will issue a 1098-T to the student. We, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, cannot provide tax advice and recommend you consult a tax professional if you have questions about your tax liability.
Please refer to each scholarship's guidelines for information about how the funds may be used.
Where can I go to school with these scholarships?
Most of the scholarships are for students attending accredited two or four year colleges and universities. However, some scholarships may be used for vocational and technical schools or adult education programs. Please refer to each scholarship's guidelines for more details.
What is the process for selecting scholarship recipients?
The Community Foundation's Scholarship Committee reviews all applications. These volunteers first determine if an applicant meets the criteria established by the founder(s). Once eligibility is determined, these volunteers review the applications based on the preferences established by the founder(s). The Scholarship Committee recommends applicants to the Board of Trustees, who then approves all scholarship awards. In general, a single individual should receive no more than one scholarship from the Community Foundation. If a student is the highest ranked candidate for more than one scholarship, he or she will receive the highest valued scholarship. In the event that no other applicants are eligible for the lower valued scholarship, a student may receive more than one scholarship.
How and when will scholarship recipients be notified?
Scholarship recipients will be notified by email in late April. Shortly thereafter, a list of all scholarship recipients will be posted on the Community Foundation's website. The letter notifying scholarship recipients will also contain an invitation to participate in a Scholarship Celebration. At this event, scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to meet the founders who established the scholarship they are receiving. This is considered a "must attend" event for the scholarship recipient who may bring up to two guests. If the scholarship recipient absolutely cannot attend, an immediate family member is expected to represent the scholarship recipient.
How and when will the scholarship be sent to the educational institution?
Scholarship recipients will be asked to fill out a form indicating where to send scholarship payments. Scholarship payments will be mailed directly to the education institution. The Community Foundation does not issue scholarship payments directly to students or their parents. Scholarship payments are made contingent upon the submission of all required and requested documentation and compliance with all eligibility requirements.
Are scholarships taxable?
For most students, a scholarship used for tuition, fees, books, supplies and essential equipment is usually not taxable. Tuition, fees and books are nontaxable. If a student has other gift aid that covers those expenses it may then be used for taxable expenses such as room and board, and the college will issue a 1098-T to the student. We, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, cannot provide tax advice and recommend you consult a tax professional if you have questions about your tax liability.