Valley County Community Foundation Scholarship Application

Valley County Community Foundation (VCCF) offers three scholarships to qualifying students. Multiple recipients for each scholarship may be awarded depending on funding availability and number of qualified applicants.

Feda Scholarship for the Trades

High school seniors can apply for the Feda Scholarship for the Trades (minimum of $1,000) to help them along with their secondary education. The applicant must be pursuing secondary education in the trades, including but not limited to plumbing, electrical, drafting, mechanics, welding, carpentry and medical technicians.

Fuhrman Memorial Scholarship

Second year students pursuing a secondary education at a university, institution of specialized study, or trade school can apply for a scholarship (minimum of $1,000). 

Thomas and Cynthia Markle Scholarship for Advanced Degree Study

Students with roots in Valley County that have earned an undergraduate degree can apply for this scholarship as they work towards masters, doctorate, or post-doctorate level degrees.

The scholarship committee reserves the right to assign applicants to be considered for another scholarship to match applications that best fit specific criteria of a scholarship (Feda, Fuhrman, or Markle).

• Applicant must be a resident of Valley County. Applicant must be a high school senior graduating from a Valley County high school, receiving a home school certificate or GED in the spring of 2026 OR be a prior Feda Scholarship recipient applying for funds for the second year of study. If applicant is applying for funds for the second year, he/she must be enrolled in a course of study in the trades and successfully completed one semester.
• Applicant must be pursuing a post-secondary education in the trades, including but not limited to plumbing, electrical, drafting, mechanics, welding, carpentry, medical technicians, computer technology or criminal justice.
• Applicant must provide high school transcript, GED or home school certificate OR a copy of applicant’s first semester transcript if enrolled in a course of study.
• Applicant must be, or have been, involved in community through church, 4-H, Key Club, Scouts, or volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, etc.

• Applicant must have attended a Valley County High School consecutively for three years and received their diploma from a Valley County High School. OR applicant may present a Home School Certificate or GED while residing in Valley County for a period of three years leading up to receiving these academic achievements.

• Applicant must have completed at least one year of study at an institution of secondary education (university, institution of specialized study, trade school, etc.).

• Applicant must be, or have been, involved in community through church, 4-H, Key Club, Scouts, or a volunteer at hospital, nursing home, etc.

• Applicant must maintain a 2.8 scholastic grade average. A current college transcript must be attached with application.

• Applications will be accepted from graduates of any Valley County high school and students who received a home school certificate or a GED while a Valley County resident. In addition, students who have been residents of Valley County for the past five consecutive years but graduated high school elsewhere may apply.

• Applicants must be admitted to an accredited college or university studying in the United States or studying abroad through an accredited institution in the United States.

• Applicant must maintain a 3.0 scholastic grade average. A current college transcript must be attached with application. 

• Applicant must write a paragraph or more describing experience gained in his/her area of study through internships, volunteer or paid positions. 

Applicant must establish a monetary need for the scholarship and include a paragraph indicating their particular need for funds relating to his/her financial ability to pay for schooling.

Applicant must submit two letters of recommendation.

• The letters must have been written within one year prior to the date of the application OR within 6 months prior to the date if enrolled in a course of study. If Applicant is currently enrolled in a course of study at least one of the letters of recommendation must be from the institution.
• Letters of recommendation need to be signed and dated in order to be considered complete.

Applicant must write a paragraph or more describing their academic and career goals.

Applicant must provide current (or most recent) academic transcript. Unofficial transcripts are accepted if up-to-date official transcripts are unavailable.

• Transcripts considered to be current include letter grades earned for all coursework taken AND cumulative grade point average (GPA) of all academic semesters (or quarters) through student's most recently completed academic term.

Applicant must write a brief statement indicating extra curricular activities participated in at school, community involvement (e.g., 4-H, Key Club, Scouts, volunteer work), and experience gain in his/her area of study through internships, volunteer, or paid positions.

Applicants will need to explain plans for future employment following graduation.

Feda & Fuhrman Scholarship:

Applicant must write a brief statement indicating extra-curricular activities participated in at school and also community involvement (e.g., 4-H, Key Club, Scouts, volunteer work). Not applicable to an applicant who is enrolled in a course of study. Not applicable to and applicant who is enrolled in a course of study.

Markle Scholarship:

Applicant must provide proof of acceptance to an advanced degree program.