Get Up To $30,000 In Student Loan Relief When You Come Home To Van Wert

Award

There is no minimum award. The maximum award will be $30,000 dependent on the student’s debt.
Awards are paid on an annual basis.
- Year 1: $5,000
- Year 2: Remaining loan balance or up to $10,000 (whichever is less)
- Year 3: Remaining loan balance or up to $15,000 (whichever is less)
There is no mandatory length of stay in Van Wert County for the award recipient.
- If the applicant ceases to live or be employed in Van Wert County, they forfeit all additional award monies.
The applicant must sign a document agreeing to the terms and conditions of the award.
The Scholarship may be taxable income. Recipients should consult with an Accountant or Tax Professional.

Learn & Return Student Loan Payment Program

About

The Learn and Return Student Loan Payment Program is a scholarship opportunity for individuals who lived in Van Wert at the time of graduating from an eligible local high school, who receive an accredited post-secondary degree or certificate, have student loan debt, and desire to live and work in Van Wert County. The program will provide student loan payments of up to $30,000 over a three-year period to scholarship awardees. The Van Wert County Foundation accepts applicants for the L&R Program annually. The application period is from July 1st-September 1st each year. This program is an initiative part of a broader effort with other community partners to create a well-resourced and thriving quality of life for Van Wert County.

Criteria

This competitive program is for recent college graduates or certificate holders with the following program criteria:

Recent Post-Secondary Graduate. “Recent” means applicants have received an accredited post-secondary degree or certificate within the last 10 years.
Student Loan Debt. Applicants must have outstanding student debt associated with their degree or certificate.
Hometown. Applicants must have been a resident of Van Wert County when graduating from high school or obtaining their GED.
Residency. Applicants must already live in, or desire to move to, Van Wert County.
Employment. Applicants must have full-time employment in Van Wert County or be able to demonstrate their own entrepreneurial ability to create their own company and/or be successfully self-employed within Van Wert County.

Selection Process

Applicants will be reviewed and selected by the VWCF Scholarship Committee. The Committee will make recommendations for Scholarships to the Board of Trustees.

Mentorship Program

As part of the Learn & Return Scholarship, recipients must participate in a Mentorship Program sponsored by the VWCF.