Polk County
Education Foundation

“Our Foundation’s mission is to provide worthy Polk County High School graduates of high character and integrity with financial assistance for post secondary school education to the extent of our capabilities so they may play a productive role in life.”


2022 Application Deadline April 2022.


Application

Scholarships

Students from left: Jane Lawson, Madison Myers, Benjamin Smith, Elizabeth Wilson, Walter Presswood, Dr. Phyllis Miller

Scholarship Recipients To Date:

  • James Bivens '07
  • Amanda Wilcox '07
  • Tyler Brannon '08
  • Vallie Keifert '08
  • Cole Lillard '09
  • Courtney Pippenger '09
  • Tasha Lowe '10
  • Cora Walson '10
  • Tim Edgemon '11
  • Lydia Richards '11
  • Joseph Gaskill '12
  • Mary Peters '12
  • Carson Lillard '13
  • Kym Mathews '13
  • Lily Cuzzort '14
  • Amanda Veney '14
  • Blake Cross '14
  • Lashawn Couey '15
  • Isaac Smith '15
  • Amber White '15
  • Madison Myers '16
  • Benjamin Smith '16
  • Elizabeth Wilson '16

We awarded our first scholarship in 2005, and, to date, we have awarded 23 scholarships. An unusual feature of the PCEF scholarships is that these are continued for four years as long as requirements are met and funds are available. In addition to current high school seniors, we look at non-traditional students, such as GED graduates or students returning to school. The amounts may vary, depending on funds available.

This is a perpetual fund. Scholarships are awarded from interest earned on the principal. The funds are banked at First Bank and First Volunteer Bank (Benton Banking) and Southern Heritage Bank.

About Us

President's Letter


 This newsletter is to bring you up to date on the activities of the Polk County Education Foundation. After first visualizing the concept of a foundation that would help young people of Polk County attain their dreams, we have been hard at work planning, organizing and implementing this concept. This Foundation has been set up very carefully and with the help of professionals. It is the culmination of many people working and giving together and is bigger than any one of us. Many people, foundations, and organizations have given of their time and money to make this successful. We are grateful to each. 

I believe education is the key to opening the doors of opportunity for individuals. Also, communities benefit by higher educational levels of individuals. Through education, the standard of living in a community is increased, health status improved, and the level of crime is decreased. These students will improve the status of their communities, wherever they are, and many will return to Polk County.

Our goal would be for financial barriers to not be an issue for any young person who has the desire and ability to further their education. As such, we have not set a ceiling on how large this foundation should be. The larger it is, the larger the amounts and numbers of scholarships we can award.  

This is a perpetual fund and, as such, it will benefit generations to come and is an excellent way to assure that your money continues to work well beyond your lifetime and is a wonderful way to honor friends and loved ones.

Thus far, we have had more than sixty contributors and have been able to award six scholarships. As noted in the newsletter, these scholarships are unique in that they are continued for four years as long as qualifications are met and funds are available. The money is held locally and very carefully managed.

When I was growing up in Polk County, I was mentored and supported by many people. Doors were opened for me to allow me to achieve my goals. Even thought I no longer live in Polk County, I knew that I wanted to repay in some way the community and people who had been so good to me. In talking with others, both those still in Polk County as well as those now living elsewhere, this was a common theme I heard over and over and thus, through the efforts of many with a common purpose, we have been able to make this a reality.  

Polk County Education Foundation