Eagan Foundation Scholarships Totaling $71,850 Available for Graduates

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from the Eagan Foundation.

Senior-year students attending Eagan high schools or residing in Eagan may now apply for a scholarship through the Eagan Foundation’s 2012 Scholarship Program. A total of 89 scholarships are available totaling $71,850—17 more and $12,000 over last year’s offerings.

Additionally, this year’s application process will be paperless, with all students submitting their profiles online. Applications will be accepted beginning Feb. 1 through 6 p.m. on February 29. Visit www.eaganfoundation.org for details and instructions.

Eagan Foundation scholarships are funded through donations from area businesses, school organizations, family foundations and nonprofits. Scholarship awards are based on a variety of donor-specified criteria including student financial need or career interest.

New this year, the Foundation will offer four of its own Foundation-funded scholarships, including one for a student pursuing a two-year degree:

• one $1,000 scholarship for a student demonstrating strong community involvement and leadership
• one $1,000 scholarship for a student pursuing a skilled trade through a technical or community college
• two $500 scholarships for students demonstrating financial need, strong GPAs and community involvement. 

In addition, there are seven scholarships available that are not dependent on GPA, but recognize talented young people who have persevered through hardships in life. The donors established these criteria to help students who may have experienced a serious illness, death in the immediate family, or other significant setback. The largest of these scholarships is valued at $1,500 sponsored by Gopher Resource Corporation, an Eagan Foundation scholarship donor since 1991.

"I’ve always been impressed by the caliber of students in our community," said John Tapper, chief operating officer, Gopher Resource Corporation. “So, when the Foundation asked me to consider adding a scholarship this year I was happy to do it. I encourage other community members and businesses to consider funding a scholarship or even increasing their donation to meet the growing needs and keep our community strong." 

These program enhancements are a result of a strategic planning process the Foundation’s board completed last year, at which time it also refreshed its mission to: ‘investing in Eagan’s future by providing community connections, grants and scholarships.’

“As a board we felt it was important to not only administer scholarships for others, but to lead by example and fund our own scholarships,” noted Robert Braun, board chair. “Additionally, in the past we focused almost exclusively on four-year-college applicants. While this will continue to be our emphasis, today there is an increasing need in the workplace for students trained in our technical and two-year community college programs. We are excited to add scholarships for students pursuing careers in law enforcement, machine tooling, EMT paramedic, graphic design, auto mechanics and health care, among others. After all, our community needs well-prepared leaders in all sectors.”

All Eagan students about to graduate are encouraged to submit an application. To apply visit www.EaganFoundation.org. Questions may be directed to Scholarship Chair Michael Proebstle at 651-683-0000 or mproebstle@eaganfoundation.org.