The Community Foundation administers approximately 25 scholarship funds, all of which have been established by caring donors who are passionate about promoting and supporting higher education. These individuals, and organizations, wish to provide opportunities and assistance to students who want to further their education. The Community Foundation and its family of donors have helped students like Bryan Berry attend and graduate from college.

“I knew from a young age that getting ahead in life would be difficult, but I knew that was possible,” said Bryan Berry.

At the age of 14, Bryan was working at a grocery store within walking distance from his family’s apartment complex. In high school Bryan carried full academic and extracurricular schedules, all while working full-time at the store. He graduated valedictorian of his class and was accepted at St. Ambrose University. Even though Bryan saved carefully throughout the years; he was still in need of additional financial assistance.

He came across scholarship opportunities at the Community Foundation while surfing the Internet and realized he was eligible to apply for two of them. Bryan was awarded the Rotary Club of Davenport Scholarship and the Kautz Family Scholarship.

“Words cannot describe the appreciation I have for those who helped me obtain an education,” said Bryan. “We are often unaware that the things we do, no matter how big or small they are, provide the opportunity to change lives.

Bryan plans to attend the University of Iowa and enroll in its pharmacy program in the fall of 2009.

To learn about scholarships that you may be eligible for, visit the Community Foundation’s complete scholarship listing. You may also want to check out the Foundation’s educational loan program.

Email patmiller@cfgrb.org or call 563-326-2840 with any scholarship or educational loan questions you may have.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the application and grant cycle for the Scholarship Program?

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• Scholarship Listing

  • To view a complete listing of our scholarships, click here.

• Who is eligible to apply?

  • Each scholarship fund has specific eligibility criteria that were defined by the donor when the fund was established. Please read through the specific criteria to see if you are eligible for any of the funds.

• How much does it cost to apply for a scholarship?

  • There is no charge to apply.

• Are the scholarships awarded sufficient to pay the cost of my college education?

  • No. These scholarships are intended to provide only partial support. In addition to applying for scholarships through The Foundation, you should look into other financial aid resources such as federal grants, loans and work-study awards. A complete financial package can be put together by your high school counselor or your college financial aid office and may include a portion of each of the above types of financial aid.

• If I am awarded a scholarship, how much will I get?

  • Most scholarships offer varying award amounts, which range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the size of the particular fund, the number of qualified applicants, and the wishes of the donors. Some are renewable based on GPA.

• May I receive grants from more than one scholarship?

  • Yes, you can apply to all the scholarships for which you are eligible and can be selected as a recipient by any or all.

• How do I apply?

  • You must submit the following materials:
    • Completed application form
    • High School and/or College Transcripts
    • Essay
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • If the scholarship criteria includes financial need, you will need to submit the Student Aid Report (SAR) indicating your EFC   (Estimated Family Contribution). The SAR will be sent to you after you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid   form (FAFSA), which is available from the high school offices.
    • Review the scholarship criteria for any additional materials you may need to submit.

• Can I send in my documentation separately?

  • All materials should be submitted together. EFC can be sent by March 1st deadline directly to the Foundation. Please indicate the scholarship it is to be attached to.

• Do you accept applications after the deadline?

  • No.

• Do I need to pay scholarship money back?

  • No. These are charitable grants that do not need to be paid back. However, the Rotary Club of Davenport loan and Nabstedt loan must be repaid.

• How are the scholarship decisions made?

  • An impartial selection committee appointed by the Board of The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend will meet after the deadline to review each application and select the recipients based on the criteria established by the donor.

• How will my application be evaluated?

  • Depending on the scholarship criteria, the committee may consider the applicants’ academic records, test scores, extracurricular activities, work experience, community involvement, financial need and recommendations about leadership and character.

• If I am awarded a scholarship, do I get the check?

  • No. Award checks will be made payable to the institution and the student. The check is mailed to the institution.

• What can my scholarship be used for?

  • The scholarships are for any educational expenses: tuition and fees, books, and room and board, unless otherwise stated in the scholarship criteria.

• If I am awarded a scholarship, what are my responsibilities?

  • Scholarship recipients must attend college on a full-time basis in the fall of the year in which the scholarships are awarded and continue in college that entire academic year without interruption, barring illness or emergency. It is requested that recipients keep the Foundation updated on their status and achievements to pass on to the donors who established the fund.

• When would I be notified?

  • Recipients will be notified by mid-May.