Scholarships

Who Should Apply for Scholarships?

COLUMNS provides both academic and technical scholarships to graduates of West Bend East and West Bend West High Schools as they advance their education.

We encourage all students who plan to pursue higher education to apply. There are scholarships for students who plan to attend universities, vocational and technical colleges. Scholarships are awarded based on evidence of character, leadership, and determination, academic standing, financial need, and meeting the specific requirements of the individual donor, which are varied.

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How to Apply for Scholarships?

December – Information about which scholarships are available for 2025 and how to apply is provided to students and families at the kickoff assembly on December 2. After December 2, the information and applications can be found on the school website (see links below). Reach out to Mrs. Barnes in the Career Readiness Center with questions.

February – Scholarship applications are due to Mrs. Barnes in the Career Readiness Center on Thursday, February 13, 2025.

March – All applicants will be interviewed during the week of March 10-14. An interview is required to be considered for a scholarship. Interviews are conducted at school during the school day by community members. School staff are not involved in the interviews or scholarship decisions. Students will be notified about their interview time and location in a letter sent to their home address. They will also be notified by letter of scholarship decisions.

May – The scholarship awards ceremony will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025.

2025 Scholarship Information and Applications

Scholarship applications for the Class of 2025 are now closed. Scholarship information for the Class of 2026 will be available in early December.

Congratulations to the 156 East and West seniors who were awarded local scholarships for post-secondary education. We’re proud of each and every one of these young people, we’re happy for them, and we can’t wait to see what they’re going to do next.

West Bend is blessed with so many generous foundations, non-profit and community organizations, businesses and individuals who believe in the future of our young people, and who believe that the best legacy we can leave is to help the next generation make their mark. Thank you so much!

Scholarship kickoff assembly

THE COLUMNS IMPACT

The transition from high school to college is full of excitement and anxiety! By receiving scholarship support, I was able to tip the scales in favor of being excited about this time instead of having tunnel vision on the dollar signs. Knowing I was going to be at Marquette University for 6 years to receive my Doctorate of Physical Therapy, every penny mattered. I'm thankful that the effort I put forth during high school was recognized because without this, making the commitment to achieving a doctorate-level degree may not have been feasible.

—Sarah Andreucci (Lambie), Class of 2008, West Bend West

I’m grateful to COLUMNS for having so many scholarships to give out to so many seniors. I am paying for college myself, so this really helped me get a good start. Thanks!

—Landon Ketter, Class of 2024, West Bend East

The COLUMNS scholarship I received helped make pursuing my dreams more affordable and accessible. I'm grateful to have received such an amazing opportunity from COLUMNS.

—Andrew Jung, Class of 2021, West Bend East

I am grateful to be a recipient of a COLUMNS scholarship as it has helped fund my continued education.

—Sam Geldnich, Class of 2021, West Bend East

Winning a scholarship means that I get to worry less about financial burdens and instead focus more on my academics.

—Brooke Koebel, Class of 2024, West Bend East

The scholarship I received from COLUMNS helped me afford to attend a university that wholeheartedly encourages my academic success. I am forever appreciative of the educational support I was given by the COLUMNS foundation.

—Olivia Mathie, Class of 2022, West Bend West

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