Who Can Apply
Custer County Educational Foundation believes that any sincere and determined person should have the opportunity to continue his or her education after graduation from high school. Scholarships can be for an accredited two-year or four-year program, accredited vocational and technical colleges, or approved registered apprenticeship programs. Current CCDHS seniors may apply.
If you are a high school senior and not sure about your immediate future plans – you should apply.
If you know you are going into the military, going on a mission, or taking the year off – you should apply.
Our scholarship can be held up to 30 months after your high school graduation, with lengthier deferrals possible for documented extenuating circumstances.
The Process
By completing a single application form, CCDHS seniors are eligible for any award administered by the foundation. Applications are scored by an Awards Committee. Students receive points for qualities such as strong character attributes, work experience, school and community activities and service and academic record. Those earning a 2.0 GPA or greater are eligible. In this way, the selection process is objective and nondiscriminatory, making scholarships available to a wide range of deserving students.
Students who applied upon their high school graduation will also be eligible to apply for a sophomore scholarship, and those students will receive a letter in April of the following year inviting them to apply. The application process and qualifications are different for a Sophomore Scholarship. Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA or above and be a full-time student during their first year of studies.
Complete Your Application
Each scholarship will be a minimum of $1,500. The Directors of CCEF may change the amount of the scholarship at their discretion.
I received a scholarship, what now?
Freshman scholarships will be announced at the CCDHS commencement ceremony, and you will receive a letter in the mail shortly after that.
Present proof of enrollment to CCEF to receive your scholarship check. Proof of enrollment must include the name of the college or university you’ll be attending, and verification that you are registered as a full-time student. Most colleges and universities make this available to students via a web registration portal.
Students receiving a sophomore scholarship must submit proof of full-time enrollment. This can be supplied at the time of the scholarship application submission if students are already registered for the next term.
Students receiving renewable scholarships (Allen Foundation Scholarship and CCEF Founders Scholarship) are not required to apply for the sophomore scholarship but must submit an unofficial transcript proving that they meet the minimum continuing GPA and credits, as well as proof of full-time registration for the next term.
Student Resources
Listed below are links to help provide other resources for scholarship and financial aid information.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- The Department of Education Explore Financial Aid
- The Montana University System Resources
- Reach Higher Montana
