Don't shy away from applying for college scholarships with thousands available

The Independence Bank family of banks is offering $100,000 in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors throughout its 12 county locations. Pictured: Murray, Kentucky location. 

The Independence Bank application process for over $100,000 in scholarship money has begun for high school graduates 2021. High school seniors that attend schools in the following counties are eligible: Calloway, Daviess, Franklin, Graves, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, Jefferson, McCracken, McLean, Warren, and Webster. Scholarship money will be based on a written essay, high school grades, ACT scores, financial need, community involvement, extracurricular activities and personal interview.

It sounds like a lot of hoops to jump through...and it is. After reviewing what it takes to be considered for a scholarship, some may feel like throwing in the towel. But, don’t. College debt is huge. If you have the grades, are interested in going to college, and know you’ll have to get loans in order to do so, apply for as many scholarships as you can. 

The essay choice will come from predetermined topics. You may choose which one to address. And if you’re applying for a specific scholarship such as agriculture, there’s an essay question for that too. Click on the highlighted link for 1776 scholarships. 

A good time to start getting your ducks in a row is now. Holiday break is coming up soon. Virtual learning is happening now through January 4. Reach out to your teachers for help in this process. The deadline for the Independence Bank Scholarship program is February 1. Other scholarship deadlines will be just around the corner as well. 

If you’ve been affected by COVID-19, this is a way to help yourself and your family. Hard choices need to be made and applying for scholarship programs like Independence Bank can help lighten the load. 

Independence Bank has a variety of scholarships available from trade school, community college, and four year institutions. The program began in 2001 with a $10,000 donation. Over the last nearly two decades, students have been awarded over $1 million in scholarship funding. 

It all started with a wish from the late Charles A. Reid who was a founding partner of Independence Bank and dad of current CEO and Chairman, Chris Reid. As it goes, when Reid was a high school senior, he had to either pay for his college with no scholarship or choose an alternative. He chose to join the Navy to get a GI Bill to pay for his education. From that experience, he wanted to financially help high school seniors go to college.  

The money has been collected from the bank, employees, the Community Board of Directors and Reid family friends. Lauren Patton, AVP and Charitable Foundation Manger said, “Our program looks at the shole student, taking into account that they have a story to tell outside of what appears on paper. There’s no denying that education has become unconventional during this year, but I think the wonderful thing about it is how it is shaping these students. They are going to be innovative, flexible and resilient. We don’t want the current circumstances to deter a single one of them from chasing their dreams, no matter what that dream may look like.”