BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) -Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia is a non-profit that serves five counties throughout the local area. Through the utilization of funds from donors the organization is able to create grants and scholarships for those within the community. Recently the non-profit announced they will be accepting scholarship applications for the 2025-26 Academic year; in which they’re hoping to continue meeting the needs of students throughout North Central West Virginia. An opportunity, according to Vice President, Laurie Abildso, the organization looks forward to every year.
” There’s definitely need in the community, especially when it comes to academics and post High School education. It’s expensive and so we have generous donors that realize that and realize the benefits that education provided for them; and often want to give back to the community in that way.”
Every year YCF makes sure to offer a variety of scholarship opportunities so that no one is left out and this year is no different. As they’re set to introduce three new scholarship opportunities heading into next school year.
” We do have forty- four opportunities this year and these three new ones do expand the opportunities for students in our state and our region. The first one is called the Barbara Ann Kercheval Scholarship. It’s specifically for graduating Seniors from Preston High School, who are going to Vocational School or Community College. We’ve actually had a fund for the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival for many years; so, they’re familiar with YCF. One of their important causes is education, and so their board decided they wanted to start a scholarship fund.”
Those at YCF not only want to make sure students have plenty of opportunities to get the financial help they need; but also ensure each student is paired with the perfect match.
” What I really like about how we do our scholarships is that we have a universal online application. So, it makes it very easy for a student. With our new software they can fill out this online application that’s very short and it will tell them which opportunities match for them.”
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