If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
We are a community supported foundation that serves Bartow County by distributing college scholarships on behalf of local businesses, corporations, individuals, churches and area civic organizations. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Etowah Scholarship Foundation is one of ten community supported foundations in the country that encourages and assists youth to pursue a higher education.
We administer ‘Donor Advised Scholarships’. In doing so, it gives the donor the ability to provide specific instructions on eligibility requirements without creating a taxable event to the donor. Individuals, businesses, corporations, civic organizations and churches contribute scholarships in two ways: Pass-Through Scholarships and Endowed Scholarships.
Donors of Endowed Scholarships contribute a lump sum of money which generates enough interest yearly to fund a recurring scholarship on an annually basis. In both cases, the donor has the ability to determine criteria for selecting the scholarship recipient
The Etowah Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization so any donation of any amount should be tax deductible. Please check with your tax preparer to ensure you receive the full benefit of your contribution.
We award over 150 scholarships each year, ranging from $500 to $5000 each. Scholarships are distributed according to need and/or merit. Since its inception in 1982, the Foundation has distributed more than four million dollars to over 4,000 Cartersville/Bartow County students.
Last year we received 329 applications and awarded 161 scholarships. This year, we expect applications to increase significantly. Our goal is to meet the needs of the students by increasing the scholarships donations to meet the needs of the community.
Bartow County residents who are attending college or plan to attend college are eligible to apply. This includes both traditional and non-traditional students; scholarships are available for undergraduate, graduate and technical programs.
We have five anonymous volunteers who serve on our Scholarship Review Board. This board operates independently from our Board of Directors and reviews all applications. The Review Board then discusses the merits of each applicant and works to match the best fit based on donor requirements.
In early June, we celebrate with the donors, recipients and family members. The scholarship is presented to the recipient by the donor in a public ceremony, similar to a graduation ceremony. Photos are taken for publishing in the local newspapers of the recipient and the donor.
The community can support our program by attending our events, supplying business services or donating merchandise to auction at our events. We are actively searching for contributors and participants for our annual fundraisers: “It’s all about THE BAG” (purse auction), Tailgating for a Cause (College Football Kick-off) and in 2012 our 30th Anniversary Celebration of EducationThe Dollar for a Scholar program (an easy payroll contribution). We also recognize Academic Super Stars at each high school. Sponsors are needed to help defray the cost of the honor cords awarded to these students who will wear them for their graduation ceremony. Sponsors are acknowledged at the events though banners, flyers and on our website.
In addition to administering and awarding scholarships, we offer a Financial Aid workshop to help students and parents complete federal forms and scholarship applications. Each fall we host a PROBE fair bringing in more than 90 college representatives. Additionally, each year we recognize high achievers, Academic Super Stars, in our local high schools by presenting them with an honor cord to be worn at graduation.
Our number one priority is to increase support for local residents in their pursuit of a higher education. In doing so, we help make our community a better place to live.