Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation Opens 100+ Scholarships for Five-County, Tribal Students

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation opened applications on January 18 for more than 100 scholarships available to students living in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties and to members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The general scholarship application, which matches applicants to eligible awards, is live now; some named scholarships still require separate applications.

Most general-application deadlines fall on March 1, 2026, creating a clear near-term window for students planning fall study or training. Foundation staff are offering application assistance to help applicants navigate the process and ensure materials meet deadlines. The scope of awards and the foundation’s five-county reach mean the program covers a wide range of local educational pathways, from community college and trade certification to four-year degrees.

For Grand Traverse County residents, the infusion of more than 100 awards matters for both household budgets and the local labor market. Scholarships reduce the need for student loans, lowering debt burdens that can delay homebuying and other household investments. They also help employers seeking qualified local talent by increasing the number of credentialed graduates who live and work in the region. In a county where retaining young people is key to workforce stability, targeted scholarship support can translate into higher local labor force participation and reduced out-migration of trained workers.

The foundation’s approach - a single general application that matches students to multiple eligible awards - streamlines the process for applicants and can raise application rates, which often lag when students must complete separate forms for each fund. At the same time, named scholarships with separate applications remain in place; applicants should verify individual eligibility and submission steps for those awards.

This year's offering comes amid broader cost pressures in higher education that have pushed many students to rely on multiple funding sources. Local scholarship dollars can be especially impactful when combined with federal aid and institutional grants, helping to close gaps that would otherwise be filled by loans or deferred education. By targeting residents across five counties and members of the Grand Traverse Band, the foundation aims to support a geographically and culturally broad cohort of students.

What this means for readers is practical: eligible students should consider beginning the general application now and seek the foundation’s assistance if needed to meet the March 1 deadlines. Beyond individual benefit, the awards represent a community investment in skills and stability that can strengthen the county’s economy over the coming years.