When submitting the Carol A. Oehlhaffen Lake Michigan Catholic Scholar Application, be sure to include the following:
1.
Your name and Social Security Number on a separate piece of paper. This information will be kept secure at the Foundation, only be used by BCF staff, and not shared with committee members, etc. The
Social Security Number is required.
2.
High School transcript and if not included on this transcript, ACT score transcript
3.
A copy of college acceptance letter. We understand that this may not be received by March 6.
Please send it in as soon as received.
4.
A copy of most recently filed (can be prior year) 1040 tax return (both applicant’s and parents’ returns). Black out the Social Security Numbers for anyone on the return.
5.
Three letters of recommendation:

One from a former elementary school teacher

One from a community member

One from a personal reference other than a relative
6.
A one page personal essay, typed, stating your career goals and how a scholarship would help you accomplish these goals
7.
Any additional requirements as outlined in the scholarship descriptions
The application MUST be typed, no staples. Please do not put completed application in any type of binder, simply paperclip pages in upper left hand corner. All applications must be postmarked by March 6 by a post office and sent to the Berrien Community Foundation, 2900 S. State
Street, Ste. 2E, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
If you have any questions, please call (269) 983-3304, Scholarships. Carol Oehlhaffen will present a certificate and invitation to the recipient(s) on his/her award night. After that date, the recipient(s)' names will be posted on the Foundation's Web site at www.berriencommunity.org
. .
In mid-May, scholarship recipients will receive invitations to the
Foundation’s June 11 scholarship event.
Recipients are expected to attend . At the Foundation's event in mid June, a certificate will also be presented. An official memo with information on how to access the scholarship will be sent by the Foundation to recipients by the end of June.
The scholarship will be paid directly to the college/university on the student's behalf by mid
September, if this information is provided.

Please return application to:
BERRIEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
2900 South State Street, Suite 2 East
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Attn.: BCF Scholarships

Must be typed
Applicant's Name:
Date of Application: Click here to enter text.
Scholarship Purpose: This scholarship was established by Carol A. Oehlhaffen to honor deserving students at Lake Michigan Catholic.
Scholarship Criteria: This is a $1,000 a year renewable scholarship. Criteria, arranged in priority order, for this scholarship include: 3.0 or above GPA, Lake Michigan Catholic High School graduating senior, career goal in profession related to elementary and/or special education, nursing, or occupational therapy preferred, some involvement in volunteer/community & church activities (e.g., Christian Service projects, student government, athletics), and for use at a U.S. college/university (2-4 year school) of choice anywhere for tuition, books, fees, and other costs, but not for room and board. In years where there are multiple applicants, the decision could be made based on greatest financial need. If a student maintains a 2.75 or above GPA, the scholarship will be renewed each year up to a total of 3 additional years.
Specific criteria include:
1.
Your name and Social Security Number on a separate piece of paper. This information will be kept secure at the Foundation, only be used by BCF staff, and not shared with committee
2.
3.
4.
members, etc. The Social Security Number is required.
High School transcript and if not included on this transcript, ACT score transcript
A copy of college acceptance letter. We understand that this may not be received by March 6.
Please send it in as soon as received.
A copy of most recently filed (can be prior year) 1040 tax return (both applicant’s and parents’ returns).Black out the Social Security Numbers for anyone on the return.
5.
6.
Three letters of recommendation:

One from a former elementary school teacher

One from a community member

One from a personal reference other than a relative
A one page personal essay, typed, stating your career goals and how a scholarship would help you accomplish these goals
Any additional requirements as outlined in the scholarship descriptions 7.
Please do not put completed application in any type of binder, simply paperclip pages in upper left hand corner, no staples. All applications must be postmarked by March 6th by a post office and sent to the
Berrien Community Foundation, 2900 S. State Street, Suite 2 E, St. Joseph, MI 49085. If you have any questions, please call (269) 983-3304, Scholarships.
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Name: Click here to enter text.
Address: Click here to enter text.
City: Click here to enter text.
State: Zip:
Primary Phone: Click here to enter text.
Cell Phone: Click here to enter text.
Email: Click here to enter text.
Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy):
Are you a U.S. Citizen? ☐ Yes ☐ No (proof of citizenship or authorization to be in the U.S. will be required, if a scholarship is awarded)
If not a U.S. citizen, what type of visa do you hold? Click here to enter text.
Marital Status:
Single ☐ Married ☐ Current Grade Level: ☐ 11 th ☐ 12 th
Name of Parents/Guardian: Click here to enter text.
Phone Number: Click here to enter text.
High School: Click here to enter text.
Principal: Click here to enter text.
Phone: Click here to enter text.
GPA: Click here to enter text.
ACT Score: Click here to enter text.
Counselor: Click here to enter text.
Phone: Click here to enter text.
Counselor Email: Click here to enter text.
Graduation Date (mm/dd/yyyy):
School Awards Ceremony (include date and time):
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List the U.S. schools to which you have applied for admission in order of preference:
1. Click here to enter text.
Were you accepted? Yes ☐ No ☐ Pending ☐
2. Click here to enter text.
Were you accepted? Yes ☐ No ☐ Pending ☐
3. Click here to enter text.
Were you accepted? Yes ☐ No ☐ Pending ☐
Using the space below, please list school, church or community activities (e.g., Christian Service projects, student government, athletics) in which you have participated during the past four years. Please list the activities in order of importance to you. You may attach additional information if necessary.
Organization # of
Years
Leadership Position, Awards and Recognition
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(Fill out this section only if your parents claim you as a dependent on their tax return)
Father’s Employer: Click here to enter text.
Father’s Occupation: Click here to enter text.
Mother’s Employer: Click here to enter text.
Mother’s Occupation: Click here to enter text.
Number of Siblings: Older: Younger:
Number of family members (including parents) in college:
Explain: Click here to enter text.
Financing your intended educational program:
1. Projected total cost of first year (Please itemize below)............................................... $
Tuition $ Room/Board $ Class Materials $ Transportation$
Child Care $ Costs Related to Disability $ Dependent Care $
2. Amount parents will contribute .................................................................................... $
3. Amount applicant will contribute .................................................................................. $
4. Financial aid received from other sources (grants, loans, scholarships, etc.) ............... $
5. Total of lines 2, 3 and 4 ................................................................................................. $
6. Difference between lines 1 and 5 ..................................................................................
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Cannot be electronic signatures. Must submit a signed hard copy.
I acknowledge that the information in this application is correct to the best of my knowledge. I fully understand that if an award is given to me, it is for the purpose of post-high school education.
In the event that I do not enter a post-high school program, terminate the program prior to using the award, or receive other financial assistance (Pell grants, scholarships, tuition grants, etc.) that cover, in its entirety, any tuition, room and board, or class material costs, I will relinquish claim to the award in order that it might be given to another student. I also acknowledge that distribution of all scholarships is contingent upon funds available.
This scholarship, like all scholarships awarded through the Berrien Community Foundation, is made at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. The Berrien Community Foundation Board of Trustees reserves the right to rescind any or all of this scholarship due to unanticipated circumstances.
Signature of Applicant: ______________________________________ Date: ____/____/____
We accept the terms of this scholarship program and permission is granted to the Berrien
Community Foundation to seek verification of any information provided in this application from any source, for review by the officers and trustees of the Foundation or any other person authorized by the Foundation. We hereby release from liability any person submitting information to the Foundation for use in the selection of scholarship recipients.
Signature of Applicant: ______________________________________ Date: ____/____/____
Parent’s or Guardian’s Signature: ______________________________ Date: ____/____/____
Return this completed form and all support material to:
BCF Scholarships
Berrien Community Foundation
2900 S. State Street, Suite 2 East
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: 269-983-3304
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