ABOVE: The Fairmont Dollars for Scholars board. The local chapter is accepting applications from students from now through April 1. Back row from left: Wayne Hasek, Ben Rosol, Mary Betts, Jim Davison, Nancy Backer, Emily Fett, Lucas Miles, Ryan Fett, Kevin Pfingsten, Bruce Firkins. Front row from left: Jack Hagen, Chris Hasek, Teresa Davison, Abi Peyman, Jim Simser, Bob Huemoeller, Joann Woodward, Liz Wheeler. Not pictured: Jim Wilson and Laura Odgren. Submitted photo.

FAIRMONT– Fairmont Dollars for Scholars is in the midst of accepting applications in order to give out another round of scholarships to Fairmont High School seniors and graduates. Students have until April 1 to apply for scholarships, with the minimum amount of $1,200 to be awarded.

Fairmont Dollars for Scholars is the local chapter and while it’s an independent organization, it’s under the umbrella of Scholarship America, so it benefits from using its software and receiving guidance from the larger organization.

The local chapter first awarded grants in 1974 and over that time it has given out 4,529 scholarships worth more than $4.4 million. Over the past five decades the organization has greatly grown.

Liz Wheeler, executive secretary, said in 1974 Fairmont Dollars for Scholars gave out $9,000 in scholarships at $300 each. From 1974 to 2008, it awarded $1.35 million over the 35 years but in the last 14 years alone it has given out $3.1 million.

Wheeler said she thinks word of mouth has helped the organization grow, but she also thinks many people see value in what they’re doing.

“They want to help support our young people,” Wheeler said.

Businesses, organizations, families and individuals give out scholarships. Wheeler said they’ve also had some class reunion groups create scholarships. In some instances, a block of money will be given which results in long-running scholarships that are awarded year after year.

Donors can choose preferences and the committee does its best to match recipients to preferences, but it’s not always possible. Wheeler pointed out that the organization’s point of existence is first and foremost to award scholarships.

There are four main qualifications to receiving scholarships. Students have to be either a Fairmont High School senior or graduate and they must be attending an accredited school, either a two or four year college. Students can receive up to four scholarships from the organization while pursuing a certificate, program or a degree up to a bachelor’s.

Wheeler said they try to prioritize awarding scholarships to graduating seniors who have completed their application, however, each year is different depending on who is on the scholarship committee.

She added that the scholarship committee is made up of both board members and community members.

There are about 20 current board members who sit on a few different committees, including a finance committee. The board meets about once a month to create policies and plan events.

For many years, Fairmont Dollars for Scholars hosted a chicken dinner fundraiser every January, but both the Covid-19 pandemic and inflation put a halt to it. However, this year the organization started doing a half-court basketball contest in order to raise both funds and awareness.

“We want to make sure students are aware that we exist. We love awarding scholarships and want to continue to do it,” Wheeler said.

This year, Fairmont Dollars for Scholars was also selected by Fairmont Hy-Vee store leadership to benefit from the Hy-Vee Reusable Bag Program for the months of March and April. The Hy-Vee Reusable Bag Program facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work.

For the next two months, Fairmont Dollars for Scholars will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Red “My Heart” Bag is purchased at this location, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag attached to the bag.

This year, Fairmont Dollars for Scholars has about 170 scholarships to give, which is a combination of new scholarships in addition to renewable scholarships for students who maintain the requirements.

Typically about half the students in a graduating class apply for scholarships, so there’s a good amount of students that either don’t plan on going to college right away, or don’t bother to apply.

Students can apply at fairmont.dollarsforscholars.org. The first year students create a profile so it takes a little longer to plug in all of the information, but everything is saved year to year which make the process quicker and easier moving forward.

“For the dollar amount you’re looking at, it’s well worth it,” said Wheeler.

She said Fairmont Dollars for Scholars board members are happy to help students with the application.

“We’re not trying to make it a secret process where they have to guess the right information. We want to make it as clear as we can and we’re happy to be a resource,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler has been on the board since 2010. She joined just a year after moving to Fairmont.

“It was a great way to get involved in the community. I’ve enjoyed it over the years because it’s just fun awarding funds. It’s a joy,” Wheeler said.

She said she’s had conversations with people in other chapters who have talked about what they do to raise funds, like bake sales and car washes, just to give out $250 scholarships.

“That’s when I realized our chapter is so fortunate, that our community has gone above and beyond. We’re so fortunate to have such strong support both by individuals and businesses in the community… we are a blessed organization,” Wheeler said.

Each year there is an award night where the scholarships are announced and given. The night also allows for the donors and recipients to meet. It’s held on the fourth Wednesday of May, which is May 24 this year.