Eligibility and Criteria

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is active from November through January each school year. The information contained on this page is NOT to be considered current at any other time.

Before Getting Started
Please read all of the information provided below before beginning the application process. For application instructions, visit the Apply for the Scholarship page.

Conditions for the Award
Students named as Lilly Endowment Community Scholars must: 

• Graduate from high school by the end of June 2010.
• Apply for admission to a full-time baccalaureate degree program at any Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
• Select the college or university they will attend and notify their Community Foundation of selection no later than May 1, 2010.
• Apprise the Community Foundation annually of their academic status while pursuing their baccalaureate degree and of their postgraduate status (education and employment) for at least ten years after graduation.
• Account for and return to ICI any amount of the allocation for required books and equipment remaining at the end of each school year.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a resident of Knox County, Indiana.
• Be a graduate of an accredited Knox County or Indiana high school or academy by June 2010 and attend full senior year at the same high school or academy.
• Have a minimum 3.75 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale).
• Have a minimum SAT score of 1700, with a combined math and verbal score of 1150 or higher, or a minimum ACT score of 27.
• Have completed the Academic Honors or Core 40 college prep curriculum in high school upon graduation.
• Be available for an interview with the scholarship committee if selected as a finalist.
• Select the college or university you will attend and notify your Community Foundation of selection no later than May 1, 2010 if selected as a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.
• Apply for the scholarship in only one county.

Selection Criteria

• Academic performance
• Community service and volunteer activities
• Essay 
• School activities
• Honors and awards
• Work experience
• Personal statement of goals
• Interview (The second phase of the application process is the interview.  Each finalist will receive an interview weighed at 100%.  Scores given to each finalist prior to the interview will be discarded and only scores given during the interview phase will be considered for final determination of the scholarship nominees.)