The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) is one of Indiana’s most prestigious scholarship programs. Established by Lilly Endowment Inc., the program encourages talented students to pursue higher education at Indiana colleges and universities and, ultimately, build their careers and lives in Indiana.
The scholarship is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered statewide by the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) in partnership with the community foundation serving each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Lilly Endowment believes that education plays a vital role in the personal, civic, and economic well-being of Indiana’s residents and communities. By investing in talented students today, the program seeks to cultivate future leaders who will use their knowledge, skills, and talents to strengthen Indiana for generations to come.
The Community Foundation of Grant County coordinates the local application, review, interview, and nomination process. The Foundation’s volunteer selection committee evaluates applications and recommends Grant County’s nominees to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, which administers the program statewide and provides final approval of scholarship recipients.
The scholarship covers full tuition and required fees, along with an annual allocation of up to $900 for required books and equipment, for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a bachelor’s degree at an accredited Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.
More than financial assistance, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship represents an investment in Indiana’s future. The program encourages recipients to remain engaged in their communities, pursue meaningful careers in Indiana, and become leaders who help improve the quality of life for future generations.
For Grant County students, being named a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar is both an extraordinary educational opportunity and a distinguished honor. Each recipient joins a statewide network of scholars recognized for their academic achievement, leadership, character, and commitment to serving others.
Who is eligible?
Grant County high school seniors, with an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher, and a minimum SAT score of 1200 or ACT of 25. Applicants must plan to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an accredited public or private college or university in Indiana. Additional eligibility requirements can be found in the application materials.
What does the scholarship provide?
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship covers full tuition, required fees, and provides up to $900 annually for required books and equipment. The scholarship may be used for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a bachelor’s degree at an accredited Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.
How are recipients selected?
The Grant County selection process includes four phases:
1) Applications are submitted online and reviewed anonymously by a volunteer selection committee. Reviewers evaluate each application using established scoring criteria, including: academic achievement, standardized test scores, leadership and involvement, community service, personal essays, and demonstrated responsibility and character. The highest-scoring applicants advance to the interview phase.
2) Finalists participate in an in-person interview with the Lilly Scholarship Committee at the Community Foundation office. Every finalist is asked the same questions and evaluated using a consistent scoring rubric that considers: character, communication skills, leadership potential, commitment to community, educational and career goals, and critical thinking and awareness of current events.
3) Application and interview scores are combined to determine the top candidates.
4) The Community Foundation submits two scholarship nominees to the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), which conducts the final review and approval before scholarship recipients are officially announced.
How will I learn about the scholarship?
The Community Foundation promotes the scholarship through several channels, including: high school guidance counselors, direct mail to eligible students, social media, and the Community Foundation website. Students are encouraged to speak with their school counselor and monitor application deadlines each year.
When can I apply?
Application deadlines and important dates are updated annually. View the current scholarship timeline and application deadlines on the Applications & Timelines page.
Where do I apply?
Applications are completed online through the Community Foundation of Grant County, and the link to apply will be added to the Applications & Timelines page when it opens.
Why does this scholarship exist?
Lilly Endowment Inc. believes education is essential to the personal, civic, and economic well-being of Indiana communities. The Community Scholarship Program helps talented Indiana students pursue higher education while encouraging future leadership and long-term investment in Indiana’s communities.
Why are only two scholarships awarded each year?
The number of Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships awarded in each county is determined by the statewide Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program—not by the Community Foundation of Grant County. Each year, every Indiana county receives a designated number of scholarships based on the program’s statewide allocation and the local county’s current population. Grant County is currently allocated two scholarships annually. Because only two scholarships are available, the selection process is highly competitive.
Are there other scholarship resources available?
Yes! While the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is one of Indiana’s most prestigious scholarship opportunities, it is certainly not the only source of financial assistance for college. The Community Foundation offers a Universal Scholarship Application that connects eligible students with more than 120 local scholarship opportunities established by generous Grant County donors. In addition, there are many scholarships available through colleges and universities, employers, civic organizations, and trusted national scholarship search websites. To help you continue your scholarship search, we’ve compiled a collection of helpful resources on our Other Scholarship Resources page. Remember: Even if you are not selected as a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, there are many other scholarships available. We encourage every student to apply broadly. The more scholarships you pursue, the greater your chances of reducing the cost of college.