JASPER, Ala. - One of the first issues parents face when sending a child to college is, “How can we afford this?” Fortunately, grants and scholarships are available in our community to help qualifying students cover tuition costs for college. One of the organizations working to provide students with funds for college is the Walker College Foundation (WCF) in Jasper.

Over the last 25 years, the WCF has been providing college scholarships to students around Walker County. For high school seniors, those scholarships include multiple two-year, full-tuition scholarships for students attending Bevill State Community College (value $10,500); a scholarship for children of Drummond Company employees ($5,000 to any college); and a scholarship for Tarrant High School seniors ($10,000 to any college). Students can apply for these WCF scholarships on the WCF website at https://www.wcfdn.org.

“We have 45 students receiving scholarships to Bevill State right now which translates into about $200,000-$250,000 in scholarship funds,” says Walker College Foundation Executive Director Holly Trawick. “Half of our scholars are freshmen and half are sophomores. Fifty percent of our scholars are first-generation college students. One-quarter of our scholars are in Bevill State’s Associate Degree Nursing program. Every year there is an opportunity for around 20 new students to receive a two-year WCF scholarship.” 

In addition to financial support, the Walker College Foundation provides scholars in the program a place to study, monthly student lunches, a student mentor, community service opportunities, and the possibility of a transfer scholarship when they graduate with an associate degree. Not surprisingly, the program has had tremendous success. 

“We have an 85% retention and graduation rate in our Scholars Society,” Holly says. “I keep in touch with our graduates to find out where they are as they progress through college and life. Their scholarships made such a difference in their ability to focus on school and reach their goals. I would encourage any student who is interested in attending college to apply for a WCF scholarship to help them achieve their education goals.”

Students who wish to apply for a WCF scholarship should first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the application used to determine if a student qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant. Applicants must fill out the scholarship form and submit a 250-word essay. The deadline is February 28. Visit https://www.wcfdn.org to apply. 

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Pictured (L-R) BSCC Sophomore Cody Gilbert, WCF Executive Director Holly Trawick, and BSCC Sophomore Ciera Miller. Both Gilbert and Miller are set to graduate in May. Photo by Al Blanton