United Way of Hancock County's Foundation will be accepting Secor Scholarship application and references from now until midnight on Dec. 1, 2016. This $2,000 renewable scholarship was established as a memorial to the generosity of the Steven and Doris Secor bequest. It is awarded to a high school senior in Hancock County who has a 3.5 grade point average or higher and plans to attend an accredited institution of higher learning to pursue any undergraduate field of study, full time, in the subsequent academic year. The candidate must exhibit a strong emphasis on volunteerism, community service and service learning, which will be evaluated through their leadership, character, and diversity of service experience. The amount of the scholarship will be reviewed and adjusted periodically by the Board of Directors based on recommendations from the Secor Scholarship committee. The award for the 2016-2017 academic year will be $2,000. The scholarship may be renewed annually for three years (for a total of four years) for a total of $8,000.
Students related to anyone on the Secor Scholarship Selection Committee or United Way of Hancock County paid staff are not eligible to apply. Scholarship money is to be applied toward tuition in the name of the scholar and will be paid directly to his or her educational institution in one lump sum payment upon confirmation of student's enrollment.
The United Way of Hancock County Foundation designates a Secor Scholarship selection committee which will be composed of three to four community members who will evaluate applicants, interview finalists and select the recipient for the Secor Scholarship. One new scholarship is awarded per year, which is renewable by the recipient, contingent upon satisfying the conditions of the renewal clause.
The entire application must be completed electronically through the United Way of Hancock County’s website. Interested students must go to http://liveunitedhancockcounty.org and click on the “Secor” button. Paper applications or references will not be accepted. Students should review the process and prepare the required items before beginning the submission process.
Guidance counselors are encouraged to review the process in order to assist students. For additional guidance, contact Bev Phillips, community services director at Beverly.phillips@uwhancock.org or 419-423-1432.