The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation has a variety of scholarships opportunities now available to help local undergraduate and graduate students for the 2023-24 schoolyear.
Brief descriptions of thirteen scholarships are provided below. Each scholarship has its own criteria, so students will need to carefully review each one before applying. For more information about these scholarships, visit www.fortfoundation.org and follow the links to the scholarship pages. Here students can read descriptions of all of the Foundation’s scholarship offerings and will be guided to ‘Fort Scholarships’ — an online application website that will walk them through the application process. The deadline for receipt of completed applications for all the scholarships listed below is April 1, 2023.
For more information, contact Sue Hartwick, the Community Foundation’s executive director, at (920) 563-3210 (office), or via email at facf@fortfoundation.org.
Scholarships available only to graduate students include the following:
Walter and Louise Buell Graduate Scholarship
The Walter and Louise Buell Graduate Scholarship is open to residents of the Fort Atkinson area or graduates of Fort Atkinson High School who are, or will be, enrolled in a graduate program leading to a masters, doctorate, or professional degree. In 2023, up to $25,000 will be available for these awards.
Ralph and Clara Rutledge Memorial Scholarship
The Ralph and Clara Rutledge Memorial Scholarship offers support to graduates of Fort Atkinson High School or residents of the Fort Atkinson area who are, or will be, enrolled in graduate school at an accredited college or university in a program leading to a masters, doctorate, or professional degree. In 2023, up to $7,000 is available for awards.
Jane Shaw Knox AAUW Graduate Scholarship
The Jane Shaw Knox AAUW Graduate Scholarship is offered to women who are pursuing a graduate degree at an accredited college. Applicants must be either graduates of Fort Atkinson High School, residents of Fort Atkinson, or be employed in Fort Atkinson.
Scholarships available to either graduate or undergraduate students include the following:
Jim and Lee Vance Scholarship
The Jim and Lee Vance Scholarship Fund offers financial assistance to various categories of Fort Atkinson students who wish to continue education after high school and are pursuing educational paths similar to the educational experiences and interests of the scholarship’s namesakes. Students should review the various criteria for this scholarship in the description provided on the Foundation’s website. In 2023, up to $27,500 will be available for awards.
Medical Careers Scholarship
The Medical Careers Scholarship is available to former graduates of Fort Atkinson High School who at the time of application hold at least sophomore standing at their college or are in a graduate program. The applicant must be pursuing a degree in a medical field and be enrolled, or plan to be enrolled in a college or university within the State of Wisconsin. In 2023, up to $8,500 will be available for awards.
Robert and Judith Knapp Scholarship
The Robert and Judith Knapp Scholarship provides financial support for graduates of Fort Atkinson High School or residents of Fort Atkinson who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in mathematics, physics, engineering, or music at a college or university. Applicants must have at least sophomore standing at the time of application. In 2023, $6,000 will be available for an award.
Eileen Harrison Education Scholarship
The Eileen Harrison Education Scholarship is available to residents of Fort Atkinson, employees of the Fort Atkinson School District or graduates of Fort Atkinson High School who are currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in education at a college or university. In 2023, an award of $2,000 will be available.
Denice Jones Medical Fields Scholarship
The Denice Jones Medical Fields Scholarship is available to former graduates of Fort Atkinson High School at either the undergraduate or graduate level, who at the time of application hold at least sophomore standing at an accredited college or university. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in a medical field, with special preference for those enrolled in an occupational therapy or physical therapy program. In 2023, $1,200 will be available.
Gene Halker Memorial Scholarship
The Gene Halker Memorial Scholarship is open to residents of Fort Atkinson or graduates of Fort Atkinson High School who are pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree in the fields of economics, business, literature, or any related field. Undergraduate applicants must have at least junior standing in the next academic year. In 2023, an award of $1,000 will be available.
Scholarships available only to undergraduate students include the following:
Orrin and Margaret Bull Scholarship
The Orrin and Margaret Bull Family Scholarship provides financial assistance to a graduate of Fort Atkinson High School who is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has completed at least one year of undergraduate work, and is preparing for a career in either education or environmental sciences (i.e., conservation, ecology, forestry, recycling, alternative energy, etc.). In 2023, a $5,000 award is available.
Phyllis Zeimen Family Scholarship
The Phyllis Zeimen Family Scholarship offers financial assistance to former graduates of Fort Atkinson High School who are currently enrolled in college as undergraduate students. There is no restriction as to the field of study, but preference will be given to qualified applicants who are pursuing veterinary or pre-veterinary studies. In 2023 $4,500 will be available for awards.
Pay It Forward Scholarship
The Pay It Forward Scholarship is intended to assist residents of Fort Atkinson or graduates of Fort Atkinson High School who are enrolled at a four-year college or university and will have at least junior standing in the next academic year. Financial need is a serious consideration. In 2023, $2,000 will be available for awards.
V.C. & Blanche Helgren Martin Scholarship
The V.C. & Blanche Helgren Martin Scholarship is available to graduates of Fort Atkinson High School who are currently enrolled as a full-time student in a four-year college or university with freshman, sophomore or junior standing at the time of application. The recipient must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the fields of English, Journalism, Theater, or other related language arts areas, as well as the field of architecture. In 2023, $1,250 is available for one award.