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Scholarships are one of the most important ways that Lane Community College keeps education accessible to a large number of area residents. Every day, talented and deserving students take a first step toward a new life by enrolling at Lane. Many of these students could not pursue their dreams of a better life without scholarship support. Their success depends on you, our donors.
Donors may stipulate criteria for selecting recipients with such determinants as academic excellence, enrollment in a specific degree program, leadership, and/or community service. The Foundation is responsible for the selection of scholarship recipients within the criteria stipulated by the donor.
Become a Shining Star - Contribute to student scholarship funds and reach out and touch students in all areas of study and participation from performing arts and athletes to leadership building and continuing education. Each department has its own special shining star scholarship. You may designate which department will receive your donation. No matter how much you can contribute, even if it's only a few dollars, it makes a difference.
Design Your Own Scholarship - These one-time or annual scholarships are awarded each year the donor renews the gift. They may be directed to existing scholarship funds, or may be restricted for a specific degree program or major. All of these monies are earmarked for spending on the specified purpose. The fund is not permanent nor does it participate in the foundation investment program.
Endowed Scholarships - You can create an endowment in your name or in honor of a family member, friend or business that will live in perpetuity and support deserving students with scholarships forever. A minimum contribution of $10,000 will establish a permanent endowment fund. The fund will participate in the Lane Community College Foundation's investment program. The principal is invested and only a portion of the earnings is made available each year for scholarship awards.
Miller Match
Oregon's 17 community colleges have been challenged to outpace their fundraising for student scholarship money next year, thanks to a challenge grant from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation.
The Miller Foundation -- an independent, private organization established to enhance the quality of life of Oregonians through support of the arts and education -- has offered to donate $1.5 million in total to the 17 community colleges. The challenges range from $50,000 up to $320,000 depending on the size of the college. Lane would receive $150,000, and possibly more if other colleges do not meet their target and funds are redistributed to colleges who meet or exceed their target.
To get the donation, each college's foundation will have to raise an equal amount in new money - atop the amounts they raised between April 2007 and March 2008 for scholarships.
If the colleges can meet the challenge, it would result in hundreds of additional scholarships for some of the most financially strapped students hroughout Oregon.
"This may be the largest investment by a private foundation in the history of Oregon's community colleges," said Kathy Thomas, director of annual giving for the Lane Community College Foundation. "We are so pleased to have more resources to help students succeed."
"We feel community colleges are a vital part of Oregon's educational system and economy," said Chuck Putney, president of the Miller Foundation board.
However, attendance at these colleges is a financial challenge for many students." "Frequently, the opportunity to attend a community college is the pathway to a living wage and a secure family."
The LCC Foundation received 479 applications from 266 individuals for the all-major category of scholarships in 2007-08 but had funds for only 36 of them. The Miller Foundation challenge would result in hundreds of additional scholarships for some of the most financially strapped students in our community. Overall, in 2007 the Foundation awarded a variety of scholarships, grants, stipends and loans to 624 students.
"Lane serves hundreds of students who otherwise wouldn't be able to go to college," said Mary Spilde, president. "The Miller Foundation challenge grant would help us increase opportunities for more students in need."
Eligible students must fill out the federal scholarship form - known as the FAFSA - and must seek an Oregon Opportunity Grant. The Miller Foundation funds would be added atop those federal and state moneys.
To be eligible, a student must be seeking an associate's degree, a certificate or a professional license; the funds are not available for those in non-credit courses, a GED program, a high school diploma program, or students taking courses not designed to meet a degree, certificate or license.
For more information, contact the LCC Foundation office at (541) 463-5226.
Contact: Lane Community College Foundation
4000 E. 30th Ave.
Eugene, OR 97405-0640
Phone: (541) 463-5226
Email: Foundation@lanecc.edu
Every gift makes a difference and brings our students
closer to achieving their dreams.
Thank you for making a difference!
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