Get Scholarships & Education Grants
Find financial aid for college, career training and more.
Education opens doors — don’t let cost close them.
Higher education opens doors, but financial strain, systemic barriers, and personal responsibilities can make it difficult to pursue. Whether you’re a high school graduate, a first-generation college student, or a professional leveling up your career, we know that navigating the path to education (including finding the right funding) can feel overwhelming.
Financial Barriers & Unwanted Debt
Students working toward their future need financial help to pay for school, make up for lost income while studying and minimize debt.
Inequity & the Education Gap
Students of color and first-generation college students face unique challenges, including having less access to opportunities, resources and family experience with college.
Mental & Emotional Pressures
Stress plays a big role in mental and physical health problems for students, lowering retention rates and making it harder for them to succeed.
Enrichment Opportunities Out of Reach
Internships, studying abroad, research projects and extracurricular activities can be pivotal, but they’re often too expensive — especially for students with jobs, families or other responsibilities to manage.
60+ Scholarships & Education Grants
For All Levels of Education After High School
Kalamazoo Community Foundation is dedicated to creating pathways to higher education so students can thrive in their academic pursuits and for a lifetime. We oversee more than 60 scholarships and education grants (many of which are multiyear awards) for college, graduate school, career training and more.
Need KZCF scholarship support for a school event — invite us!
Thank you for reaching out to us. Please send event requests with a minimum of two weeks notice before your event date. Your request does not guarantee a member of our Scholarships team will be able to attend, but we will make every effort to do so.
Emergency Scholarship Funding for Kalamazoo County Residents
Kalamazoo County residents and high school graduates can apply for urgent funding for unexpected or unmet costs as they arise any time of year so that they can continue pursuing their academic goals without interruption.
Get started with our all‑in‑one application.
Our all‑in‑one scholarship application opens December 15 and is due by March 1 every year.* Students can apply once online, and based on their eligibility, be matched from more than 60 scholarships and education grants funded by Kalamazoo County community members, neighbors and families making an impact.
Easy, Accessible Scholarships For Today’s Students
Funding for All Levels of Education
Kalamazoo Community Foundation offers 60+ scholarships and grants to support college, graduate school or career training students in their pursuit for learning.
Emergency Scholarships to the Rescue
We offer emergency funding to cover unexpected or unmet education costs as they arise any time of year.
Universal, All-in-One Application
With one easy, online application, students can get matched to numerous KZCF scholarships and education grants based on individual qualifications.
Coverage Beyond Tuition
Many KZCF scholarships and grants can be applied to more than books and tuition — including housing, transportation, food, health insurance, childcare and more!
No FAFSA, No Problem
While the FAFSA is required to complete our sponsorship application, we can still support students who may be ineligible to complete it.
Simple Yearly Process
Many KZCF scholarships are multiyear awards — no need to reapply, just submit the form and keep funds flowing.
Here’s How KZCF Scholarships Work
Below is a general timeline to help you understand the application process and what goes on behind the scenes while you wait. Please note that some dates may change, and applicants will be notified as needed along the way.
Application
Starting December 15, students can apply for scholarships via the all-in-one online application. Submissions are due by March 1 every year.*
Initial Review
In March, once the general application window is closed, your application gets reviewed for completeness and to confirm eligibility. We’ll reach out to students regarding any missing documents or information.
Selection
From March-June, scholarship review committees read eligible applications and convene to select recipients.
Formal Notification
From April-June, KZCF Scholarships staff will reach out to selected scholarship recipients as committees make decisions, and update application statuses.
Payment
By mid-July-August, scholarship payments are sent directly to institutions on the awarded students’ behalf.
Frequent Scholarship Questions Answered
What is the timeline for the scholarship process?
The All-in-One Scholarship Application* is available December 15 through March 1 every year. In early March, our Scholarships team reviews applications to ensure successful completion and eligibility. For the remainder of March until May, our Scholarship Review Committees review applications and convene to recommend recipients. As early as April, KZCF Scholarships staff may begin reaching out to recipients to notify them of our scholarship decisions and update application statuses in Kaleidoscope accordingly. Notifications will continue until June. From late July to the end of August, scholarship payments are sent directly to institutions.
If my scholarship information is incomplete will I be notified?
Yes, a member of our Scholarships team will reach out to students regarding any missing documents.
Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen or Certified U.S. Permanent Resident to apply?
No, KZCF scholarships are open to students regardless of their citizenship or permanent residence status.
What is the FAFSA, and do I need to complete it?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows college students to access financial aid for college, including grants, scholarships, work-study and federal student loans. Visit studentaid.gov for information on the FAFSA and how to apply.
While the FAFSA is required to complete our scholarship applications, we can still support students who may be ineligible to complete it. Please indicate on your application in Kaleidoscope that you are ineligible to complete the FAFSA. You will be prompted with the next steps from there.
How do I check the status of my application? Will I be notified if I am selected?
Yes, you will get email updates about your application status. You can also check your status anytime by logging into your Kaleidoscope application portal. Within your portal, you can see which KZCF scholarships you qualify for. Each scholarship will show its own application status, which will be updated as your application is reviewed.
What can scholarship funds be used for, and how is it dispursed?
KZCF scholarships may be used for any items related to your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that includes items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. You can find your school’s COA online or by contacting your school’s financial aid office.
Scholarship awards are paid directly to your institution, and if there are additional acceptance stipulations related to your scholarship, they will be listed in the individual scholarship’s details.
What if I need to defer my scholarship?
I received a multiyear award, how can I be sure that I continue to receive it?
A member of our Scholarships team will email you the link to an online form in February each year your scholarship is eligible for renewal. To ensure you receive this link, please make sure you have shared your current email with us. This short form needs to be submitted by March 15 to be applicable to the following school year. Some scholarships require you to maintain a minimum GPA or have a specific major to continue receiving your scholarship. Scholarship requirements are always included in acceptance agreements.
Do I pay taxes on scholarships?
In certain situations, scholarship awards are considered taxable income for the recipient. You can find information about scholarships and taxes via The Internal Revenue Service.
For questions about how scholarship awards might impact your taxes, please consult a tax professional.
*This excludes a select few scholarships which have unique applications, timelines and criteria. These special scholarships include The Women’s Education Coalition Grant, the George Disborough Trout Unlimited Research Grant and the Jim Cristy Swimming Scholarship.
More Special Application Scholarships
Scholarship questions? Brooke has answers.
To learn more about scholarships and the application process, or for help with your application, email Brooke Travis via the contact form or call 269.585.7268.
Invite KZCF’s Scholarships Team to Your Next School Event
If you are a Kalamazoo County school, college or organization interested in Kalamazoo Community Foundation Scholarships staff attending or presenting during one of your events, please let us know about it!
More Student Stories & Resources
Envisioning Something New: How Charles Hanks Aims to Reimagine Occupational Therapy for Kalamazoo Residents
Charles Hanks is a personal trainer at the Kalamazoo Athletic Club and a graduate student at Western Michigan University (WMU). He received a Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) Emergency Scholarship in 2023.
Empowering the Collective: How Spence Adams Is Using His Voice to Champion Change
Spence Adams is a graduate student in Western Michigan University’s Master of Public Health program and a KZCF scholarship recipient. He strives to build equity through his medical career and ensure that community members, particularly those of color, understand how to advocate for themselves in the healthcare space.
Make a Gift That Keeps on Giving!
Contributions to KZCF ensure your gifts will continue to benefit our community forever. Help us make an impact that lasts for generations to come by giving a gift today.