SALEM — The Salem Community Foundation scholarship application for current college students is now available for the 2025 – 2026 academic year. The application and guidelines may be downloaded via the scholarship link at www.salemcommunityfoundation.org. Scholarship applications must be received on Wednesday, June 4 by 5 p.m. to be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee.

Students must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, a minimum class load of six semester hours, and be a resident of Salem City or Perry Township.

Consideration will be given to students based on class level (senior, junior and sophomore) and financial need. The scholarship committee, under guidelines established by the Salem Community Foundation, will determine the scholarship award amount.

Now in its 34th year, the Salem Community Foundation’s scholarship program began in 1991 to assist students whose initial scholarship funds following high school graduation have been depleted.

A combination of 15 principal funds form the Salem Community Foundation Scholarship Fund, which has been significant to Salem’s college students over the years. These funds were brought together according to the wishes of the donors. Included are the funds of George Theiss, Paul and Olive Astry, Joseph G. Smith, Zella C. Litty, Louise C. Bunn, Salem Scholarship Fund, Freda S. Sweitzer, Russell B. McArtor, C. Harold Musser, Ethel B. Beall, Anna L. Thomas, F. Robert Mathews, L. Raymond Maurer, Mary Ellen Pizzino, and the Corso family.

Scholarship funds have been established in memory of loved ones and named after their benefactors. Scholarship dollars are granted annually through the following funds: Evelyn Lease (1969), Sam and Bernice Keener (1991), Avanell E. Beck (1992), Lyle and Mary Biehler (1993), Salem Label / Menegos (1994), George and Jeanette Emeny (1995), Betty Ruth Ulicny (1999), Anderson Family (2001), Hart / Litty Family (2001), Bruce P. and Eileen J. Gordon (2010), Herbert J. Hansell (2015), and Jacqueline E. Troll (2015).

Establishing a scholarship fund with the Salem Community Foundation will make a difference in the lives of deserving students. The creation of a scholarship is attractive to many donors and can be structured to benefit students at any education level or for a specific institution.

To learn about establishing a scholarship fund or contributing to an existing fund, please contact Brittany Maniscalco at the Salem Community Foundation via email at scfoffice@salemcommunityfoundation.org or call 330-332-4021.

The Salem Community Foundation is proud of its focus on education and extremely grateful for the donors who have provided a bright future for generations to come. This annual program continues the foundation’s tradition of giving and supporting the local community.