Qualified applicants must:

• be enrolled in 12th grade at Jefferson, Kennedy, Washington, Prairie, or Mount Vernon High Schools in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area
• have a minimum unweighted 2.0 cumulative high school GPA
• have significant financial need (≤12,000 SAI – Student Aid Index – on the FAFSA)
• be lawfully present in the U.S., or present as identified by at least one of the following: a U.S. citizen or national of the U.S., a U.S. lawful permanent resident, an individual authorized to live and work in the U.S., or an individual that is DACA eligible and DACA applied/approved
• be an involved community member with strong potential for success in the college setting
• be able to articulate a plan for your education/career goals
• complete and submit an Application Form and two essays

The scholarship is $5,500/year for enrollment exclusively at Kirkwood Community College to earn an associate degree and/or credit-bearing certificate/diploma.  The scholarship is renewable for up to two (2) total years (4 total semesters).  Students awarded in 2025 and before will remain at the amount set when they were awarded.

To maintain eligibility, awardees are required to:

• complete at least 12 college credits per semester
• maintain a cumulative 2.0 college GPA
• complete and submit the Annual Renewal Form by the deadline
• be responsive to Foundation communication and requests and submit materials requested

Awardees that complete an associate degree at Kirkwood Community College within two (2) years may be eligible to apply to be awarded a continuing scholarship to transfer to a 4-year campus (at $11,000/year) for a maximum of two (2) years (4 total semesters).

Applying for, accepting an offered scholarship, maintaining annual eligibility, and providing helpful information to the Seidler Foundation involves several steps.

The applicant and recipient will be prompted to complete required steps through the scholarship portal by the required deadline. Processes must be completed to remain eligible to receive the scholarship for up to two (2) years. Steps in the process are shown below.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP

February 1 

• Scholarship Application Portal opens. Access it on the Scholarship Page at seidlerfoundation.org and click on APPLY NOW – 12TH GRADE SCHOLARSHIP.  Create your Profile in the Portal.  Take the Eligibility Quiz in the Portal to see if you are qualified to apply for the scholarship.  If qualified, you can start your application. 

February 1

• To apply,  applicants must complete all steps listed below (and will be guided to do so on the application form) and hit SUBMIT by the deadline for your application to be considered:
  • • Complete the Application Form, which asks for contact information and easy-to-answer information about the applicant
    • Answer two essays (250-750 words each). You will work on essays in WORD documents, which you will then upload. It is critical that you fully answer each essay question and follow directions on the portal regarding essay format.
    • Upload:
         – your official or unofficial high school transcript, showing 9th grade through 1st semester of 12th grade year
      – your FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) Report Form (It is critical that you upload the full SAI Report Form).
        – your Extracurricular Activities Participation Update
        – your Work History Update
    • Read, check, and sign that you have read, understand and agree to the Participation Agreement.
    • Hit SUBMIT. You must hit SUBMIT for your application to be considered. You can review and revise materials until you hit SUBMIT.

March 10 

• Scholarship Application Deadline

Early April 

• Notification of Scholarship Awards

June 15

• Complete and submit the Senior Year Eligibility Check Form, which will be used to verify if you have remained eligible for the scholarship funding and communicate where you will attend postsecondary education

Fall of 1st Year of College

• Scholarship Funding Starts

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HOW TO RENEW THE SCHOLARSHIP

June 15 after High School Graduation

• Complete and Submit the Senior Year Eligibility Check Form, which will be used to verify if you have remained eligible for the scholarship funding and communicate where you will attend postsecondary education

Fall of 1st Year of College

• Scholarship Funding Starts

June 1 after Each Year of College

• Complete and Submit the Annual Renewal Form, which will be used to verify if you have remained eligible for the scholarship funding and communicate where you will attend postsecondary education the coming year
  

June 1 after 2nd Year of College and/or Final Year of College Support

• Complete and Submit the Final College Year Completion Form to communicate your graduation details

What is the Seidler Foundation?

The Seidler Foundation is a private foundation that supports educational opportunity, arts and culture, and programs that address food insecurity.

Evelyn Seidler was an English teacher at Jefferson High School in the 1970s. The postsecondary scholarship program is an outgrowth of her love for education and the promise and talent she saw in her students at Jefferson High School in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa public school district.

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How much $ is the Seidler Foundation 12th Grade Scholarship for Kirkwood Community College?

The scholarship is $5,500/year for enrollment exclusively at Kirkwood Community College to earn an associate degree and/or credit-bearing certificate/diploma.  Students awarded in 2025 and before will remain at the amount set when they were awarded.

The Seidler Foundation sends your scholarship payment directly to Kirkwood Community College. Per the Seidler Foundation policy, scholarship funds can be used for direct and indirect costs (described as qualified educational expenses), such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, and on-campus housing and food. 

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Who can apply for the 12th Grade Scholarship?

Each year, 12th graders at Jefferson, Kennedy, Washington, Prairie, or Mount Vernon High Schools in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area can apply.  Note that this scholarship may only be used for enrollment at Kirkwood Community College.

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What are the requirements to be eligible to apply for the 12th Grade Scholarship?

To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, students must be enrolled at Jefferson, Kennedy, Washington, Prairie, or Mount Vernon High Schools in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area and:

• have a minimum 2.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA
• have significant financial need (≤12,000 SAI – Student Aid Index – on the FAFSA) 
• be lawfully present in the U.S., or present as identified by at least one of the following: a U.S. citizen or national of the U.S., a U.S. lawful permanent resident, an individual authorized to live and work in the U.S., or an individual that is DACA eligible and DACA applied/approved
• be an involved community member with strong potential for success in the college setting
• be able to articulate a plan for your education/career goals
• complete and submit an application which includes applicant information, essays, a teacher/counselor recommendation, and uploads

As the first step in the application process, applicants will answer Eligibility Questions and will immediately receive notification of if they are qualified to continue and will then complete the application.

If an 11th grade applicant does not receive the Seidler Foundation scholarship in 11th grade and meets the above eligibility requirements in 12th grade, they can apply for the 12th Grade Scholarship when they are in 12th grade. 

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How can I learn more about how the scholarship works?

The Seidler Foundation website – http://www.seidlerfoundation.org – has a dedicated Scholarship page which fully explains the scholarship. The participating high school staff, the Seidler 11th Grade and 12th Grade College Navigators, Kids on Course, and TRIO staff are familiar with the scholarship and can answer questions.

If you have a question and cannot find the answer, email info@seidlerfoundation.org

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When do I apply for the 12th Grade Scholarship?

Applications open February 1 each year and are due March 10. Application dates are listed on the Foundation website at http://www.seidlerfoundation.org Applications are completed on the online scholarship portal, which is accessed via the website.

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How do I apply for the 12th Grade Scholarship?

To apply, go to http://www.seidlerfoundation.org and to the Scholarship page. You will see information about the scholarship and application process and at the bottom of this page, you will see a large button that says 12TH GRADE SCHOLARSHIP – APPLY NOW. Click on this button to access the application.

You can save your work at any time and return to complete the application process.

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What is a Student Aid Index (SAI) and the FAFSA?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a federal form that is used across the United States to determine what federal, state, and college aid students are eligible for. College students complete and submit the FAFSA annually – in 12th grade and then each year they are in college.  

SAI stands for Student Aid Index. This index shows what aid the student is eligible for.

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When will I know if I have received the 12th Grade Scholarship?

Awards announcements are made in early April every year. Awardees will receive notification at the email address they provided at the time of application. 

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How many 12th Grade Scholarships are awarded each year?

There is not a set number of awards and the number of applicants will vary from year to year. 

Applications are all objectively reviewed and scored, using a consistent scoring rubric for all applications. Awards are made to applicants that meet all eligibility requirements and can demonstrate that they are prepared to be successful at Kirkwood Community College. 

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For how many years can you receive the 12th Grade Scholarship?

The 12th Grade Scholarship is renewable for up to two (2) total years (4 total semesters). To continue to receive the scholarship, awardees must meet renewal eligibility requirements each year. Awardees will complete annual forms to verify that they remain eligible. 

The Seidler Foundation sends your scholarship payment directly to Kirkwood Community College. Per the Seidler Foundation policy, scholarship funds can be used for direct and indirect costs (described as qualified educational expenses), such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, and food. 

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If I apply and receive the 12th Grade Scholarship in high school, when does it start?

Based on continued eligibility after 12th grade, the scholarship starts the fall after high school graduation when the student first enters college. If a student wants to enroll in college in summer directly after high school graduation, they need to complete an Appeals Form on the online scholarship application portal; prior approval to enroll in summer is required.

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What do I need to do my 12th grade year to remain eligible to receive the scholarship?

To receive the scholarship when starting Kirkwood Community College, awardees must have remained enrolled in their high school full-time, have graduated on time, and have earned a 2.0 cumulative unweighted high school GPA. They must also complete and submit the Senior Year Eligibility Check Form by June 15 of their senior year.

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What are the annual renewal requirements to continue the 12th Grade Scholarship over the two years?

To ensure continued eligibility to receive the scholarship, awardees are required to verify that they remain eligible at the end of 12th grade and after each college academic year. You must meet deadlines and maintain your eligibility to receive the scholarship. Continued eligibility requires that you: 

• complete and submit the Senior Year Eligibility Check Form, which includes the SAI from the FAFSA form, by June 15 of their senior year
• complete at least 12 college credits per semester once in college
• have a 2.0 unweighted cumulative high school GPA at the time of graduation
• maintain a cumulative 2.0 college GPA 
• complete and submit the Annual Renewal Form by June 1 each after each year of college
• complete and submit the Final College Year Completion Form by June 1 after graduation from Kirkwood Community College
• be responsive to Foundation communications and requests and submit materials requested

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What happens if I do not meet continued eligibility requirements?

If an awardee has not met senior year eligibility requirements, they will no longer be eligible to receive the scholarship.  

If an awardee earns below a 2.0 GPA during any year in college, they will be placed on probation for 1 semester. Awardees have one semester to return to eligibility status, and if they do not do so, they will no longer be eligible to receive the scholarship.  

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What kinds of postsecondary credentials or degrees can I complete with the 12th Grade Scholarship?

The Foundation supports completion of an associate degree and/or credit-bearing certificate/diploma at Kirkwood Community College. With this 12th grade scholarship to enroll at Kirkwood, if an associate degree is earned after the two (2) years of scholarship support, the awardee (if eligible) can apply to receive an $11,000/year scholarship to transfer to a 4-year college to complete a bachelor’s degree; the bachelor’s degree scholarship is available for up to two (2) years (4 semesters) and based on the awardee continuing to be eligible for scholarship funding.  There is a separate application that must be completed and submitted on the scholarship portal if applying for the continued funding to complete a bachelor’s degree.

If you are unable to locate it on the portal, please email info@seidlerfoundation.org

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What can scholarship funds be used for?

Scholarship funds are paid directly to Kirkwood Community College. They are not paid to the student.

Funds can be used to support tuition, fees, books, supplies, food, and qualified educational expenses as determined by federal regulations. Kirkwood Community College financial aid office will manage fund distribution.

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What campus can I attend with the 12th Grade Scholarship?

The 12th Grade Scholarship is for enrollment and attendance only at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The scholarship supports earning an associate degree and/or credit-bearing certificate/diploma from Kirkwood.

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If I want to or need to change campuses after starting college, will it affect my scholarship?

Since the 12th Grade Scholarship is only for attendance at Kirkwood Community College, should an awardee decide to enroll on a campus other than Kirkwood or change campuses before the two-year limit of scholarship support, they will not be eligible for further scholarship funding.

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Do I have to be studying a specific major? What if I change my major after starting college?

The scholarship may be used for any associate degree program and/or credit-bearing certificate/diploma at Kirkwood Community College.

The Foundation understands that students sometimes change majors. On your Annual Renewal Form, due by June 1 each year you are in college, you will indicate your current major. Remember that you have only two years of support, so it is critical that you progress toward degree completion.

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If awarded a 12th Grade Scholarship, am I really provided a laptop for my college years?

Yes, the Seidler Foundation knows that purchasing a laptop can be a huge financial burden, so it provides each of its scholarship awardees with a laptop for their use during college. Laptops will be issued during the orientation process at Kirkwood Community College. 

It is critical that awardees read and understand the Laptop Policy, which is found at https://seidlerfoundation.org/scholarship/. You will also be required to sign a Laptop Policy Form indicating that you have received your laptop.

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Can I appeal if something happens and I cannot start college the fall after high school graduation or if I do not meet eligibility requirements while on the scholarship?

To request an Appeal and/or learn more about what special circumstances will be considered to apply for an Appeal, a student must complete and submit the APPEALS FORM (https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/91406-Seidler-Foundation). Requesting an appeal does not mean that the appeal will be granted. All appeals decisions are final. 

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How can I transfer previously-earned college credits or earn credits for AP classes/tests taken in
high school?

College credits and AP classes/tests taken in high school will be documented on your final official high school transcript. Kirkwood Community College will see your transcript and assess any potential credits to be received from your high school work. In fact, if you earned credits through and from Kirkwood Community College, KCC will have a record of this. However, it is important that awardees discuss with Kirkwood Community College any credits earned in high school that will potentially transfer into your college of attendance.

Each campus decides which credits are transferrable. If transferring from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree granting institution, it will be crucial to know which credits will and will not transfer in from the associate degree. It will be essential to work with transfer coordinators and staff at Kirkwood Community College early to understand about transfer credits.

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What if I have other questions?

If you have a question and cannot find the answer on our website or from Jefferson High School, Kennedy High School, Washington High School or Kids on Course staff, please email info@seidlerfoundation.org

The Seidler Foundation understands that life happens: students may need to pause or delay the start of their academic career, or students may have legitimate reasons for not meeting scholarship renewal eligibility criteria. So, the Foundation does provide an opportunity to appeal when special circumstances arise.

Appeals are possible for:

• Requesting a delay in the start date of college or to start in summer after high school graduation rather than waiting until fall
• Requesting to pause college and then to return the following semester
• Requesting consideration of probation due to not meeting renewability criteria (2.0 college GPA and completion of 24 college credit hours annually)

To request an appeal, a student must complete and submit the APPEALS FORM (https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/91406-Seidler-Foundation). Requesting an appeal does not mean that the appeal will be granted. All appeals decisions are final. 

The Seidler Foundation understands that students will need a laptop and that paying for a new laptop can be a sizable expenditure for a new college student. 

Therefore, the Seidler Foundation is pleased to provide a laptop to each of its scholarship awardees that have maintained eligibility for the scholarship during their 12th grade of high school and that are enrolled in and planning to attend college the fall after graduation from high school.

The laptop is issued during orientation activities at Kirkwood Community College.  The college and the Seidler Foundation maintain a log of serial numbers of laptops issued to awardees. Students are required to sign the Laptop Policy Form when they receive the laptop. 

1. The scholarship awardee is responsible to keep the laptop in good working condition and to cover costs of repairs that may be needed.
2. The Foundation intends that the awardee use the laptop throughout college. Awardees that successfully complete college with a degree within the two years of scholarship support will be eligible to keep the laptop and will not be asked to return it to the Seidler Foundation.
3. The awardee will return the laptop within one week if they drop out of college or are deemed no longer eligible to be a Seidler Foundation scholarship recipient. The laptop should be mailed from a UPS or FedEx store so that it is packaged correctly.
4. Lost or stolen laptops will not be replaced by the Seidler Foundation.

Questions about the laptop that are not covered in this Policy can be directed to info@seidlerfoundation.org