Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) administers the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide. ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 29 regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state. The scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment Inc. initiative to:

1. Raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana
2. Increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play
3. Encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve the quality of life statewide. 

Over 5,400 full-tuition scholarships have been awarded, and over $505 million in scholarship tuition has been provided since the program’s inception in 1997-98.

The Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County is tasked to select one student from Jefferson County. Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. then awards the scholarship each year on behalf of the Lilly Endowment. 

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides a 4-year, full-tuition scholarship to one selected graduating senior in Jefferson County, Indiana. The scholarship must be used to pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university. Recipients are also granted a $900 yearly stipend for books and required equipment.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is awarded based on a blind competitive process that is overseen by the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County. 

To be eligible for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Jefferson County, applicants MUST:

• Reside in Jefferson County, Indiana
• Attend an accredited high school located within Jefferson County, Indiana (accredited by the State Board of Education or a national or regional accreditation agency recognized by the State Board of Education)
• Be in the top 10% of their graduating class (min. 3 per school)
• Be graduating from an accredited Indiana high school by June 30 of their graduating year
• Intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate degree at an accredited Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university
• Have two letters of recommendation – one from a teacher; one from a source outside of the applicant’s school system such as an employer, volunteer coordinator, church leader, 4-H leader, etc.

(This timeline is for the 2025-26 school year process)

• Tue. July 1 – Applications available at cfmjc.org on the Scholarship page
• Wed. August 13 (noon) – Deadline to submit applications (includes 2 letters of rec.)
• September 12/13 – Finalists are notified; essays and interviews are scheduled
• Sat. September 20  – Essays completed at the Community Foundation office
• Sun. October 19- Interviews completed at the Community Foundation office
• December – 2026 winner announced

All finalists must agree to appear at the Community Foundation office to complete a timed essay and for an interview with the selection committee. Specific times are provided to finalists with their notification of continuing in the process. See timeline for dates.

These scores are highly encouraged. The committee often relies on these standardized scores to make decisions about academic credentials, so you could be at a disadvantage without them. You may also submit your PSAT score if you have not completed the preferred tests.

All successful applicants must adhere to the announced timeline. Late applicants, or those unable to participate in the essay or interview will not be considered for the award.

Contact Julie Wells at the Community Foundation – (812) 265-3327 or [email protected].