2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program in Gibson County

Description

The 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is now available in Gibson County through the Gibson County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 147 scholarships statewide and one scholarship in Gibson County. 

LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the costs for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

The program, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Gibson County through the Gibson County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance, is open to all Indiana residents who: 

• graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2026 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2026; 
• intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana; and
• meet the criteria specific to Gibson County Community Foundation. Visit gibsoncountycf.org/lilly-endowment-community-scholarship-program for complete information regarding the Gibson County application criteria.

Students can learn more about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Gibson County and apply for this scholarship by visiting the Gibson County Community Foundation website. Applications must be completed and submitted by August 25, 2025, to be considered.

Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria: GPA, school activities and work experience, community service, volunteer activities, personal statement/unusual circumstances, impromptu essay, and interview. Three finalists will be nominated by the Gibson County Community Foundation, and their names will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. Scholarship recipients will be notified in December.

ly the endowment established LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since, providing tuition grants totaling more than $505 million. Over 5,400 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program began.

The main goals of LECSP are: 1) to elevate educational achievement in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the positive roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to motivate and support current and former Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to collaborate with each other and with Indiana business, government, educational, nonprofit, and civic leaders to enhance the quality of life across Indiana and in local communities.

Gibson County Community Foundation is proud to offer LECSP for its 29th year in Gibson County. “The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is a remarkable opportunity for high school seniors in Gibson County. I’m honored to be part of a process that recognizes students’ achievements and aspirations. Not only does it transform the lives of its recipients by supporting their educational and personal growth, but it also benefits the local community by investing in future leaders who are likely to give back and make a lasting difference in the region,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact.