Lucas Kyle was the recipient of the Peter B. and Jean C. Rutan Scholarship for graduates of Port Clinton High School.

The Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) is now accepting Grant and Scholarship applications for 2022-2023. Officials forecast it will award more than 120 scholarships to Ottawa County students.

Each year, the Foundation provides support to local nonprofit organizations, as well as students. In 2021, the Foundation awarded more than $53,000 in grants and more than $152,000 in scholarships.

“It’s important for high school seniors to finish and submit their scholarship applications now to meet the March deadlines determined by their school. Students may access details about Foundation scholarships and the application process through their high school guidance office,” explained Dave Slosser, the OCCF’s Scholarship Chair.

Slosser gave kudos to guidance counselors at each of the high schools in Ottawa County, with OCCF working closely with them each year to award the scholarships.

“We rely on the guidance department staffs to help connect students with the many scholarships that are available to those seeking further education,” said Slosser. “Counselors are invaluable in helping us throughout the scholarship selection process.”

Thanks to an Ottawa County Community Foundation grant, a 4-H member had a fun afternoon learning to paddle a boat at 4-H Camp on Kelleys Island.

The Foundation anticipates that there will be more than 120 individual scholarships awarded this year ranging from $400 to $3,500 each. Each scholarship has its own set of unique requirements established by the fund donor’s wishes.

While the majority of OCCF scholarships are for graduating high school seniors, there are several scholarships available for non-traditional students, college students seeking to study abroad and students at a specific college. You may check out the range of scholarships on the website www.ottawaccf.org/scholarships.

In addition to scholarships, Community Grant applications are also being accepted until Tuesday, March 1, a hard and fast deadline that must be met by the applicants. According to Grants Chair Mary Coffee, an online application process was rolled out last year. Interested organizations can find a link to the application portal as well as Guidelines for Grant Seekers on the Foundation’s website www.ottawaccf.org/grants.

Questions regarding grants or scholarships may be directed to ottawaccf@gmail.com or stop at the Foundation office, 306 Madison St., Port Clinton on Wednesdays between noon and 3 p.m.