In this guide, available for download on the foundation’s website at delcf.org, students and their parents will find the criteria and information about each award as well as applications. The submission deadline for the majority of scholarships is April 1, 2010.

“Many of our donors who care about education choose to create scholarship funds to provide opportunities for individuals to help with rising college costs,” said Richard A. Gentsch, executive vice president of the Delaware Community Foundation, who oversees the scholarship program. “Our goal is to connect people who care about education with people who care about their future.”

The Delaware Community Foundation (DCF) recently announced that students now have the option to apply for any scholarship with the DCF that they may be eligible for by completing just one application. Each individual’s credentials will be evaluated to determine his or her eligibility for the scholarship he/she has applied for as well as any of the foundation’s other scholarships.

After the initial screening, the student’s application will automatically be submitted for other possible awards. Those determined to be eligible may be given multiple scholarships, and there is no cap on the number or amount of the awards they receive.

In addition to providing assistance with tuition, funding from many of the scholarships may be applied toward textbook purchases and other fees. Some are one-time awards, while others are renewable as long as recipients continue in the same course of study and achieve the academic targets required for award.

“We encourage interested students to carefully review our compendium; we believe it will be time well spent,” Gentsch said. For more information about scholarship opportunities, contact Gentsch by calling 302-571-8004.