an affiliate of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation

Allendale Community Foundation Scholarships

Allendale Community Foundation scholarships are awarded competitively based on criteria set by donors. These criteria could include financial need, the school the applicant is attending, academic achievement, as well as personal or career goals. The Community Foundation has a rigorous internal selection process for each scholarship decision, and each applicant is reviewed in depth, and considered thoroughly. Our scholarship program is simple. You are able to apply once for all foundation scholarships you may be eligible for. Once your application is submitted, you will be eligible for all those for which you meet the requirement.

View full list of ACF Scholarships

The 2023 scholarship application will open in early December 2022. The application will close on February 1, 2023.

How to Apply

To apply for any of the Allendale Community Foundation Scholarships, you must be a permanent resident of the Allendale area. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact Molly Cartwright.

Scholarship Resources

Review Available Scholarships

The first step in the application process is to access the list of scholarships. Since the Allendale Community Foundation only requires one application for all scholarships, it’s important to check the boxes that correspond to the scholarships for which you’d like to be considered.

Allendale Scholarship Descriptions
Tri-Cities Scholarship Descriptions
Coopersville Scholarship Descriptions
Other Scholarship Opportunities

Begin Your Application

Click the Apply Now button to access our application portal, and create a login ID and password. Simply follow the directions through the application.

If you have any questions, contact Molly Cartwright at mcartwright@ghacf.org or 616-842-6378.

Application, Timeline, Tips, and FAQs
Apply Now

Additional Submission Requirements

In addition to the application, you’ll have to submit the following documents:

  • A copy of your high school or college transcript
  • Any additional required documents for specific scholarships (like recommendation letters).
  • Page 1 of the Student Aid Report with your Expected Family Contribution included on the form.

Review Your Application

Please review your application carefully before submitting online, making sure you have answered all the questions accurately and completely.

Submit Your Application

Submit your application online. If you get an error message, please contact Molly, as your application will not be submitted correctly and information could be missing.

Scholarship Timeline

The 2023 scholarship application will open in early December 2022. The application will close at 11:59 pm on February 1, 2023.

Download Timeline

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

No matter if you’re a graduating senior or if you’re already in college, you’ll need to submit the FAFSA to be considered for federal student financial aid, and to be considered for a Foundation Scholarship. For help, be sure to contact your student services office and the TCAN College Adviser. Complete and submit your FAFSA as early as October 1st at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

To fill out the form, you and your parent will need to create a FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.gov. For help on either creating an ID or filling out the form, you can go to www.studentaid.gov, call 1-800-4-FED-AID or email studentaid@ed.gov.

 

Important Dates

December

The 2023 scholarship application will open in early December 2022. The application will close on February 1, 2023.
To apply you’ll need to have already completed your FAFSA and Financial Information Form.

Scholarship Deadline

11:59 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2023

April

This is when the application processing and selection committees convene. From there, applications are transferred to the selection committees, where they will each be considered carefully throughout the month.

May through June

During this time, college students will be notified of an award via email. High school students will be presented scholarship awards at their high school awards ceremony. Check with your high school for the date and time of that event.

July through August

Upon receiving the necessary acceptance materials, scholarship awards will be mailed to the appropriate educational institutions.

Molly Cartwright

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship application process, please contact Vice President of Grants & Program, Molly Cartwright.

Email Molly
Molly Cartwright

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship application process, please contact Vice President of Grants & Program, Molly Cartwright.

Email Molly

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to reapply if I received an Allendale Community Foundation Scholarship last year?
Yes, the majority of scholarships are one-time awards. If you have received a renewable scholarship, you will be notified by the Foundation in December and instructed to reapply using the online application process.
Is an unoffical transcript of my grades ok?
College students – An unofficial transcript or internet printout of your transcript is acceptable as long as it is a complete transcript of your college work to date, is clearly labeled with your name, current academic year, your cumulative grade point average, and the name of the college or university.

High school seniors – your complete transcript, including: your first semester senior-year grades, cumulative grade point average, ACT score, and class rank, is required.

Which scholarships are available to current college students?
The list of scholarship descriptions will be available in early January on the website and at the local high school counseling offices. Make sure to go through the list thoroughly to see which best apply to you.
How important are the essays?
If you are chosen to receive a scholarship, your essay will be shared with the donor or donor’s family. Each essay is read and reviewed by the scholarship committee members as part of the selection process. It’s important to read the instructions so your best work is represented in the essay. Grammar and punctuation are factors considered in scoring.
Why are most Grand Haven Area Community Foundation scholarships limited to Tri-Cities residents?
Donors select criteria that are important to them and supporting local students remains a top priority with many of our donors.
When will I find out if I have been awarded a scholarship?
High school recipients are notified at individual high school awards ceremonies in May and June. College students are notified by mail by the end of May. While we make every effort to get the scholarship gift to the college or university before tuition is due, keep in mind that in order to avoid late fees, it is your responsibility to pay tuition by the due date.
Are all Foundation scholarships need-based, and why do I need to complete the FASFA?
No, not all of our scholarships have a financial need component. However, we feel that FAFSA completion is an important part of the college application process. We do require that the FAFSA be completed and the Student Aid Report (SAR) report submitted with your application before you will be considered for any of our scholarships. We have free resources that are available to you if you need help filling out this form––just call us for more information. If you have unusual circumstances that will make it impossible to complete your FAFSA, please call our office and ask for Lauren Grevel.
If I'm awarded a scholarship, how is it paid?
Checks are made payable to and mailed directly to the college after you have returned the required scholarship acceptance paperwork, thank you note, and photo. This is usually by early August.
How is financial need determined?
Students seeking financial assistance should begin the process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Through detailed information provided on the application, a SAR is issued. 
May I receive scholarships from more than one fund?
Occasionally a student may be selected to receive a scholarship from more than one Foundation scholarship fund. It’s important to note, however, that this is the exception rather than the rule.
Are these scholarships taxable?
These awards are applied directly to college expenses at the institution, such as tuition, fees, and books. 
If I receive an award, is it important to send the donor a thank you note?
Absolutely! These awards are generous gifts from donors and should be acknowledged as such. All thank you cards are gathered at the Foundation office and given to the individual donors who read and cherish them.