Cass County Community Foundation announces 2027 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program Finalists

Last Updated on October 7, 2026 by Cass County Communication Network

Cass County Community Foundation President & CEO Deanna Crispen is pleased to announce Cass County’s 2027 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program finalists:

Applications were received from four high schools in the CCCF service area.

Students who are Cass County permanent residents but attending high school outside the county are also eligible and applications were received from two other schools. All identifying information, such as student’s name, school name, gender, etc, was removed from the applications for the finalist selection process.

CCCF President Deanna Crispen stated, “Each year, we receive an outstanding pool of applications for this highly competitive award, and this year was no exception. The six finalists are truly remarkable young people who represent some of the best and brightest students residing in Cass County. Finalists are selected based solely on established criteria, including academic ability, achievements, activities, and citizenship. Financial need is not a consideration in the Cass County selection process.”

From the six finalists, one Cass County student will be selected to receive the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, one of the most significant scholarship opportunities available to Indiana students. The scholarship provides full tuition at any accredited four-year baccalaureate awarding Indiana college or university, required fees, and an annual $900 stipend for books and equipment.

While only one student will ultimately be named the Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, being selected as a finalist is itself an exceptional achievement. The Cass County Community Foundation will award scholarships to the other five finalists in recognition of their hard work, accomplishments, and commitment to their schools and community. Those scholarship amounts will be announced in the spring.

Students applying for the Cass County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship are also encouraged to apply for all other scholarships where they meet the criteria. If the student selected as the recipient receives other scholarships or awards for tuition and fees, they will be required to either turn down the other awards or forfeit the Lilly and accept the other awards. At no time can the recipient receive both. If the student recipient, after being named, declines the Lilly Scholarship, it will be immediately awarded to the alternate.

Crispen shared, “Lilly Endowment Inc continues to be an extraordinary partner in supporting our outstanding local students and their educational goals. This year’s recipient will become the 46th Cass County Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. Since 1998, this remarkable program has opened doors for forty-five of Cass County’s most promising young people, giving them the opportunity to pursue their educational goals and build on the potential they have already demonstrated. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact this program continues to have on our students and our community.”

SOURCE: News release from Cass County Community Foundation