Scholarship committee member Marlys Barrett (right) with scholarship recipient Rosalba Gonzalez.

The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $452,127 in scholarships to 130 students across North Central Washington. The foundation received a record-setting 1,226 applications in its second year of using an online process.

“We have been really pleased with the response since we moved to an online application process” said Beth Stipe, the foundation’s executive director. “Now students can set up an account, complete one application, and apply for multiple scholarships at once. It also provides access for our scholarship committees to review and evaluate their applications online. We’re always looking at ways to make the scholarship process easier and more efficient for students and our volunteers.”

Scholarship committees are comprised of members that can be selected by the donor (the majority must be unrelated) or volunteers from the community who review and select award finalists. This year, the foundation coordinated 227 scholarship committee volunteers – another record set.

The foundation manages over 90 scholarship funds established by donors who want to help ease the financial burden of college for local students. Scholarship criteria varies – such as community service, personal growth, or area of study – and is determined by the donor. Most scholarships have criteria aimed at assisting students with the most financial need.

The 2016 scholarship program will begin accepting applications January 1, 2016 and will be due March 1, 2016. Students are encouraged to have copies of their transcripts and completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) materials before starting the application process.

Students can also view the 2015 Scholarship Guide online to review the various scholarships available and information on the process. The 2016 Scholarship Guide will be posted and distributed to NCW schools in December 2015.