Supporting the Goals of Salem’s College Students
2025 Scholarship Photo
Row 1 (L to R): Alexandria Murray, Molly Hopple, Jenna McLish, Lauryn Barton, Emma DeLand, Rylie Troy, Dana Griffith, Kade Pasco, Julia Stockton, Bailey Staudt, Kloe Sinsley, and Abby Perry.
Row 2 (L to R): SCF Chief Operating Officer Brittany Maniscalco, Rachel Fowler, Mallory Hudson, Peter Fowler, Allison Gurlea, Blake Quales, Kamryn Rohm, Reese Miller, Dylan Hovanec, Caden Rohm, Makenna Rudy, Collin Helmick, Keegan Mayhew, Ethan Shelhart, Nicholas Colbert, Annika Murray, Skyler Green, and SCF Director Joe Sedzmak.
Row 3 (L to R): SCF Director Audrey Null, Lainey Haas, SCF Director Karl Geztinger, SCF Director Shane Franks, SCF Director Geoff Goll, SCF Director Mark Equizi, SCF Director John Tonti, and SCF Director Rick Lutsch.
Missing from the photo: Krista Barley, Davin Koskinen, Samuel Murray, Tim Stephens, Ian Ziegler, Lucas Ziegler, Andrew Wilson, Hanna Gaither, Sydney Hardy, Cameron Jaquette, Jerika Milhoan, Donald Oesch, Zoie Reed, Sam Walter, Gavin Wilms, Lance Bailey, Scott Colian, Rylee Hutton, Jackson Johnson, Daniel Forrider, Kristen Gessner, Lauren Gessner, Jinsu Kim, Christopher Lefever, Brianna Satterfield, and Andrew Whaples.
Salem Community Foundation Awards Over $1 Million in Scholarships Since 1991
Now in its 34th year, Salem Community Foundation’s annual scholarship program continues the tradition of supporting college students in our community.
The Salem Community Foundation scholarship awards were designed to meet the needs of college sophomores, juniors, and seniors whose initial scholarship dollars following high school graduation had been discontinued.
The Salem Community Foundation’s Scholarship Committee awarded $112,400 in scholarship dollars to deserving students for the 2025 – 2026 academic year.
John Tonti and Brittany Maniscalco co-chair the Foundation’s successful scholarship program. Karl Getzinger, George Hays, Audrey Null, and Joe Sedzmak served on the committee helping to review applications, transcripts, and essays.
Forty-five rising sophomore, junior, and senior students were selected to receive awards in the varying amounts of $1,400 to $2,200.
Scholarships dollars were granted through the following established endowment funds: Evelyn Lease (1969), Sam and Bernice Keener (1991), Salem Community Foundation Scholarship Fund (1991), Avanell E. Beck (1992), Lyle and Mary Biehler (1993), Salem Label / Menegos (1994), George and Jeannette Emeny (1995), Betty Ruth Ulicny (1999), Hart / Litty (2001), Bruce P. and Eileen J. Gordon (2010), Herbert J. Hansell (2015), Vange Firestone Memorial Fund (2016), and Jacqueline E. Troll (2016).
A combination of thirteen principal funds form the Salem Community Foundation Scholarship Fund, which has been so very significant to Salem’s college students over the years. These funds were brought together according to the wishes of the donors. Included are funds from George Theiss, Paul and Olive Astry, J. G. Smith, Zella Litty, Louise Bunn, Salem Scholarship Fund, Freda Sweitzer Legacy, R. B. McArtor, C. Harold Musser, Ethel Beall, Anna Thomas, F. R. Mathews, Raymond Maurer, Mary Ellen Pizzino, and the Corso family.
An anonymous donor who recognized the financial impact of a career in the ministry established the Ministerial Scholarship Fund in 2008 at the Salem Community Foundation. This scholarship provides financial assistance to individuals who wish to enter the fields of the ministry, Christian education, youth ministry, or a closely related field, and will be spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In addition to the forty-five Salem Community Foundation scholarship recipients, ten students were selected to receive a Ministerial scholarship award in the amount of $3,400. This totals fifty-five students receiving scholarship dollars from Salem Community Foundation.
The Salem Community Foundation began in January 1966 as a public charitable trust that continues to work diligently with local partners to improve the quality of life by supporting a wide range of Salem area programs, projects, and scholarships.
The Scholarship Committee encourages individuals and families to consider making a difference in the lives of deserving college students. A scholarship fund can be structured to benefit students at any education level or specific college.
To learn about creating a scholarship fund, either as a way to help a student achieve their dreams or memorialize a loved one, please call Brittany Maniscalco at the Salem Community Foundation office at 330-332-4021.
Salem Community Foundation Scholarship
Please see note below regarding FAFSA.
The Salem Community Foundation Scholarship program is designed to assist current students enrolled in a post-secondary undergraduate educational program. Residents of Salem City / Perry Township with a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA are eligible to apply. Students must have a minimum class load of 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours. A student’s application is eligible for review three times for bachelor’s degree work.
This scholarship application will become available on the website on April 1, 2026.
All applications must be received by Wednesday, June 4, 2025 for scholarships to be awarded for the 2025 – 2026 academic year.
Late applications will not be processed and only completed applications will be considered.
Note: The scholarship application is in Adobe PDF format. Please complete the editable form and print a copy for submission.
Remember to sign the scholarship application in ink.
Handwritten applications will not be accepted. Submit the scholarship application unfolded and without paper clips or staples.
ATTENTION 2024 APPLICANTS: There has been a new FAFSA form launch. The Salem Community Foundation Scholarship application asks for a copy of the student’s FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR). This report is no longer in existence. The new version of this report is called the FAFSA Submission Summary. This will be the document that is submitted unless you choose to provide your 2023 Income Tax Form. Thank you!
Salem Community Foundation Ministerial Scholarship
Please see note below regarding FAFSA.
In 2008, a Ministerial Scholarship Fund was established with the Salem Community Foundation. Scholarship aid will assist those who will spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This scholarship is extended to individuals who wish to enter the fields of the Ministry, Christian Education, Youth Ministry, or a closely related field. The anonymous donor of the Ministerial Scholarship recognized the financial impact and sincere desire to dedicate oneself to a career path in ministry. Scholarship awards are valid at Bible Colleges, undergraduate and graduate schools. Applicants must submit indication of financial need, academic performance, reference letters, and a personal statement. The Ministerial Scholarship does not discriminate on the basis of religious denomination, age, sex, race, or geography.
This scholarship application will become available on the website on April 1, 2026.
All applications must be received by Wednesday, June 4, 2025 for scholarships to be awarded for the 2025 – 2026 academic year.
Late applications will not be processed and only completed applications will be considered.
Note: The Ministerial Scholarship application is in Adobe PDF format. Please complete the editable form and print a copy for submission.
Remember to sign the scholarship application in ink.
Handwritten applications will not be accepted. Submit the scholarship application unfolded and without paper clips or staples.
ATTENTION 2024 APPLICANTS: There has been a new FAFSA form launch. The Salem Community Foundation Ministerial Scholarship application asks for a copy of the student’s FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR). This report is no longer in existence. The new version of this report is called the FAFSA Submission Summary. This will be the document that is submitted unless you choose to provide your 2023 Income Tax Form. Thank you!
Thank You From Our Scholarship Recipients
“Thank you very much for the generous Salem Community Foundation Scholarship you awarded me. The generosity of the Salem Community Foundation allows me to continue my education and further explore my passion in my major. I am incredibly thankful to be from a city that encourages and cares for its residents. Thank you for this scholarship award and your many kindnesses.”